Woodturning Materials
So, what can you use as a wood turning material? The better question is, what CAN’T you use! The wood lathe can certainly be used to create objects from most any wood you can imagine, and probably a fair amount of woods you have never heard of much less imagined. But the possibilities don’t stop there. I also use acrylic plastics, deer antler, water buffalo horn, off-cuts from Corian counter tops, corncobs (no, really, I swear), wood composites, and even custom made pens with items encased in special polymers that allow you to do decoupage-like items. One can even rescue the shavings from today’s bowls to make tomorrow’s pens through a process named by its creator, Phoenix Pens. Really, the only limitation is your imagination.
Quina is a uniquely fragrant and darkly beautiful wood from Latin America that has excellent turning characteristics and a high oil content for luster and shine. It is …
While the jury is out about the exact scientific specifics of what we call bocote, what isn't in doubt is that the wood is incredibly popular for turning projects, …
Black and White Ebony is a relatively rare wood used in the world of wood turning. It is very hard, very lustrous, and makes beautiful pieces provided sharp …
Cocobolo is a lovely dark and heavy wood from tropical central America that is highly prized for its rich coloration and figure. It also features a high oil …
In a process unlike most of my work, I had a production run of 28 of the same stylus pens. While the process it mostly identical to making …
These are essentially field notes from research and practical experience of turning projects employing Tambootied, a richly varigated and beautifully scented wood found in Southern Africa. Information about …
These are essentially field notes from research and practical experience of turning projects employing East Indian Rosewood, a richly varigated and beautifully scented wood found in tropical Asia and …