Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
White spots in Walnut Bowl
Jake niedling
While finish turning a 12" walnut rough out bowl, I saw a lot of sparkly, white specs in the wood. I think it might be silicon, but not sure. My tools didn't seem to dull quickly, so I'm not sure what it is. If you have some thoughts, let me know. Hopefully you can see them in the photo. Thanks. Jake
Re: White spots in Walnut Bowl
John C Lucas
Mine look like that after i sneeze on them..
Re: White spots in Walnut Bowl
Mike Stafford
I don't know what the white spots are but I have also seen them in some walnut wood. I even tried to blow them out with compressed air. They almost always disappear when the wood is finished.
It must be something related to growing conditions. Silica perhaps? I don't know.
Re: White spots in Walnut Bowl
Dick Coers
White rot would be my guess, but sure is small spots.
Re: White spots in Walnut Bowl
Jake niedling
Mike - I think it looks like silca was well. There is no evidence of white rot. The wood is solid and cuts and sands cleanly. When I put on a coat of sanding sealer, it does kind of disappear like you said. Just curious. Thanks.
Re: Sneezing
Re: White spots in Walnut Bowl
John K Jordan
Hey, save a small piece if you can for the microscope! It would be interesting to look at it at 400x.
I generally use naptha to see what a surface will probably look like after applying a finish like oil. It would be interesting to see what naptha or alcohol did to the spots.
JKJ