Turning Cedar
MarkP4583
>Just dug out some Cedar logs that was left over from building my Aunts house back in the mid 70's, there the 6x4 tung and groove, its pretty clear, not alot of charector in it, any tricks or tips to spice it up some?
Turning Cedar
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Re: Turning Cedar
#2Re: Turning Cedar
Fog Tanner
>I turn quite a bit of cedar, aromatic and western red. I have not found any that needed any coloring. I have dyed some with rosewood anayline die, which I'll never do again. The problem with cedar is it splits either in end grain or face grain turning. In small pieces that is character, in larger pieces - not so pleasant. The last cedar bowl I turned blew up two times in trying to cut the rim. Just be light on the cuts.
I finish some of the pieces with mineral oil and beeswax (Raffin style), others I use Minwax Antique Finish and buff them out on the Beall system. I also Shellawax cream, which I like a lot. I use the Ubeaut EEE Ultra Shine and then the Shellawax. I have seen some pieces finished with poly, but I only like that on furniture. I have a lot of aromatic cedar furniture and am looking for wear resistance.
The cedar may not look very promising until you turn off the weathered wood and get a look at it. I have some that is around the same age as yours. Its weathered on the outside and beautiful on the inside. You might thing about turning some small test pieces and try different finsihes until you find one that you like.
Some people have allergic reactions to cedar or cannot tolerate the smell for very long. You may have to finish the inside of the piece as well. I am allergic and have to turn wearing an airfed faceshield. If you turn it over a long period of time you can also acquire a sensitivity to it.
Fog