Magnolia wood

Re: Magnolia wood

Dave MacLuskie

>I've turned some. It's rather plain looking actually. The first one I thin-turned wet, and soaked in BLO for a week. It turned pretty yellow-ish and stayed that way. The other stayed plain.

Re: Magnolia wood

Dave MacLuskie

>Oh, me again. If you turn it wet, wear a rain coat. It's also pretty light and soft.

Re: Magnolia wood

Don Henthorn

>I've got two of those trash droppers in my front yard. They do make good shade, but many other trees do as well without the year long mess. Town has an ordinance against cutting them down because many people like to see those big blooms in late spring. I would much rather have them for turning wood.(-:

Re: Magnolia wood

Brad Vietje

>Jim,

I bought a very pretty Magnolia platter from Bill Tarleton in California, with beautiful chocolate brown color as well as the lighter colors. This platter also has beautiful figure and a broken branch remnant in it. I'd love to turn the stuff -- doesn't grow up here in the North.

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Magnolia wood

Raymond Overman in SC

>My wife commented on how pretty they were on a recent walk around our neighborhood. She said that I always see the negative side of things when I commented that we could have one if she would clean up the perpetual mess of leaves and cones that they make.

I've turned some. It turns easily. It's usually a plain light colored wood with little figure. You need, as someone else said, a raincoat. Some that I turned grew mold or mildew almost overnight.

Good luck.

Re: Magnolia wood

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>There are several species of magnolia tree that are grown as ornamentals. I assume you are inquiring about the easily recognized, evergreen, Southern Magnolia. All have similar properties, but individual differences. Note that another familiar cabinet wood, tulip poplar, is also a magnolia. For obvious reasons (boring figure and color), it is not used much for turning, either.

Re: Magnolia wood

Chris Wright

>I turns nicely, with little tear out but as the others have mentioned, the more common stuff is pretty boring. It makes good blanks for pieces you're looking to do enhancement work on like burning/texturing.