Opinions On Sassafras
Tom Colligan, Peoria
>Does sassafras make for a good turning wood? Tia.
Opinions On Sassafras
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Re: Opinions On Sassafras
#2Re: Opinions On Sassafras
GeorgeBalock
>Tom,
Sassafras is an excellent turning wood. It finishes well with oil. The wood has an opengrain, which is not objectionable. Also, it is fairly stable after it dries. One of the pluses of sassafras is that your shop will smell great when you turn it.
George
Re: Opinions On Sassafras
#3Re: Opinions On Sassafras
David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA
>Yep, sassafrass is some good turning wood - has a good, although strong, smell. It turns fairly easily when green, although the end grain will tear out - and it is open grain - go for it!
David
Re: Opinions On Sassafras
#4Re: Opinions On Sassafras
Terry Quiram
>Hey Tom
Well isn't it a small world? Guess what I turned yesterday? It turns like a dream and I like the smell better than Cedar. How much ya got? Come over and get some Cedar. I am roughing some Cherry bowls tonight. I hope to have some finished pieces for the next club meeting.
Terry
Re: Opinions On Sassafras
#5Re: Opinions On Sassafras
Tom Colligan, Peoria
>Thanks George and David.
Is an open grained wood generally less desireable than others? I know the oaks are said to be ring porous which sassafras is and that's why I asked. I don't hear or see many oak tunings but I'm new to this part of woodworking. Thanks again,
Re: Opinions On Sassafras
#6Re: Opinions On Sassafras
David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA
>Nothin' really wrong with open grained woods, that I know of - other than the fact that it has a very distinct, and rather different look, than say a maple or cherry. And most folks don't turn oak, or at least I don't, because it splits terribly...
David
Re: Opinions On Sassafras
#7Re: Opinions On Sassafras
GeeSeaWhy
>In addition to turning easily, sassafras is also very light. What I like least about it is the colour. It darkens from an unattractive green to an undistinguished greenish brown. I've been playing with various surface treatments recently. This one (about 3" dia.) is dyed inside. The outside was wire brushed, which takes out the soft early wood much faster than the harder late wood, then coated with pickling stain. The pickling stain does not really fill the grain so I sanded it back to smooth. Friction polish inside and out.
Graeme