Just got me some Mulberry

Re: Just got me some Mulberry

Barry Irby

Is mulberry the one that glows under the influence of UV light?

Re: Just got me some Mulberry

Craig Daymon

I don't know. And I think I've given up all my blacklight bulbs. (Though if it proves true, I may double check.)

You can have my share of both of those

Dick Coers

I don't care to turn either of those species. Mulberry gives you so much hope when you start turning it, then you find all the fine checking inside, and then it turns this dull muddy color. Box elder is one of the most challenging woods to get a clean cut, especially when wet. Stinks too. Only good feature, easy to sand when dry. So you can have my share!

Re: You can have my share of both of those

John Veerkamp

Disagree somewhat. Mulberry is closely related to Osage Orange. Very close min color when fresh cut. Somewhat softer but occasionally has quilting and nice figure. It will lose the bright yellow just like OO when exposed to UV. Still a nice wood to turn.

My biggest disappointment was mulberry burl

Dick Coers

With age, step back 6 feet and you don't even know it's burl. Just all goes the same color. Gave away the last piece I turned years ago.

UV fluorescence

John K Jordan

>>Is mulberry the one that glows under the influence of UV light?

Of the three species that often look similar, mulberry, osage orange, and black locust, I believe only black locust fluoresces under black light.

BTW, if anyone is interested, I my extended quest to find a good quality 365nm UV light, after several false paths and false advertising tests I finally got an amazing UV light that exceeds all others I've tried for wood ID by fluorescence testing. I found a good review of this and another UV light on the Candlepower forum.

Most advertised at 365nm have way too much white light mixed in which drowns out the glow you are looking for.

Not cheap, but not a bad price for such a good light:

EagleTac P200LC2 365nm UV 1123 lumens

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014AYMBMQ

JKJ

Re: UV fluorescence

Barry Irby

John, I borrowed a huge UV light from a carpet guy that specializes in getting rid of urine smell. (I bought a Wee Wee house) I also tried a black light from a friend's hippie days. On the internet the pet stains glowed like a rock concert. At my house, not so much. In fact I never got any use out of it even after covering the windows. It had to be completely dark for the effect to show. I did get it to work in a closet with the door closed, but then I came out of the closet. I would happily buy the light you posted if it Will show up pet stains in a room with some day light.

Re: UV fluorescence

John K Jordan

>> I would happily buy the light you posted if it Will show up pet stains in a room with some day light.

Same problem with many, many UV lights sold for that. Lots of complaints in reviews. As with using one with wood ID if the wavelength spread is too wide or to long the fluorescence is simply overwhelmed by the visible light from the LED. Even if the wavelength is centered on 365nm (and I think most of the sellers just lie) the light is useless.

Another thing I ran into was variability from the same supplier. I got one cheap light that was pretty good so I ordered another. It was worthless. Evidently some bean counter looked at the higher cost of the good LEDs and substituted a lesser one to save a few cents, "who will ever know?"

I recently tried several of my lights on a horse's eye when the vet used a solution to check for cornea scratches. Most were worthless except for the EagleTac. It caused incredibly bright yellow fluorescence even though we were outside in the sun light.

I'd be glad to test mine for your application. How do I get my cats to pee on the carpet? (!!) Can I just shine it in the litter box? Does the urine have to be old and dried for a good test? Put some litter outside to age? I could send you the light to try or maybe you could send me a carpet sample.

I'm leaving in a few minutes to get ready for a turning demo but I could try checking it with the litter box tomorrow.

JKJ

Re: My biggest disappointment was mulberry burl

Brad Vietje

Wow -- that was not my experience at all.

I got a real nice chunk of Mulberry burl from Harold Jambers of Unique Mesquite at the 2002 symposium in Providence. This was one of the nicest and most colorful pieces of burl wood I've ever turned; would love to get some more. I also wish I could find some of those old pix, which were never backed up adequately :~(

Here's the only one I can now find:

I guess its a YMMV sorta wood!

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Newbury, VT

How old is that piece Brad?

Dick Coers

That contrasting red and black does help quite a bit!