Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Sweet Gum
Lee Weed
>Since I started Turning about 3 months ago when I see a tree with orange paint or flag on it I stop to see if they're going to cut it down. There are 5 fairly large sweet gum trees that are going to be felled. Is Sweet gum any good for turning?
Thanks,
Lee
It's OK
Dominic Greco in Richboro PA
>I've turned a fair amount of spheres and a couple bowls from sweetgum. It is by far one of the WET-EST woods (if turned while green) I've ever turned. Better wear a poncho while turning!
In the picture attached below, the sphere on the right hand side is Sweetgum.
See ya around,
Dominic
Re: Sweet Gum
John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)
>As Dom said, it is full of water and is very soft. It will crack if left in log form but it spalts beautifully. It is a good wood with which to learn (as is poplar) because it is so soft, catch tends to tear out chunks of wood rather than yanking the tool severely. On the other hand, you have to be very careful in order to get a bruise-free surface with gum.
John
Re: Sweet Gum
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Down this way, you often hear of Sweet Gum wood refered to as Alabama Mahogany. The Heart wood is a quite beautiful chocolate brown, the sapwood was used in the past as a substitue for and looks like soft Maple.
As Dom noted it is quite wet when first cut. I often tell people that it is about like turning a potato.
Because it is so wet, it distorts alot when drying and is prone to cracking.
Rough it out as soon as possible, leaving extra thick wall to accomodate for the warping. Cover it with Anchorseal all over, and then just give it time.
Mark
Re: Sweet Gum
Dick Hines
>I love it! Yes it is wet but when it dries ot will take a great finish. I used it for bowls and hollow forms.
People see it and ask what kind of wood it is. I just tell them it's the wood everyone loves to hate, have you got any you want to get rid of?
Re: Sweet Gum
Lee Weed
>Thanks for the responses,
It looks like I'll be turning some sweetgum(on my new Jet 1642 that arrived today):)
Stealth Gloat!
Dominic Greco in Sunny Richboro PA
>Lee!
Congrats on the new lathe! And a Jet JWL-1642EVS to boot!
You gonna' add a ballast box and/or trestle legs to that baby? Cause' if you do, you know who to ask! :>) (That would be me by the way)
See ya around,
Dominic
Re: Stealth Gloat!
Lee Weed
>Dominic,
Thanks for the review, I think I read both articles about a dozen times before I decided on the Jet.
I installed a switched outlet for it today and I'm thinking of pouring a concrete shelf for ballast it would add about 375#.