turning rhododendron
Lynne
>Does anyone have any experience turning rhododendron? Any tips? I read some concerns about its toxicity on the rec.crafts.woodturning forum; any knowledge about its potential toxicity? Thanks--
Lynne
turning rhododendron
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Re: turning rhododendron
#2Re: turning rhododendron
Barry
>my neighbour had a 120 year old rhodo blow down, and I got bunch of wood from it...it's still on the ground after a year- he wouldnt give me the main trunk, but I think I'm going to ask for more...
anyway....I rough turned a few larger branches for lidded boxes, and it split like mad. I ended up losing either the lid of the base of 4 box balnks I had rough turned.
I have had better luck letting it dry in the branch form, then drilling it for pens, or using it for winestoppers.
It turns nicely - it felt like boxwood or madrone while turning - very smooth, easy to turn and finishes well. It comes up (the one I have) a nice dark gold colour. I made some wine stoppers that sold well at a craft fair. Made and sold a few cigar pens as well.
Not sure about toxicity, but its a nice wood, but 'squirelly'
Re: turning rhododendron
#3Re: turning rhododendron
Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.
>Probably the best part was left in the ground. The Rhody root burl is the best part of the tree for turning.
Wally