Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Madrone wood
I just returned from a trip to WA with some madrone pieces.. They are about 10 inches by 3 feet each. They weigh a ton. A friend had a tree that had to go to make way for a garage, so I took some. It has been a long time since I turned anything but a few pens. Is there a good video to remind me how to make bowl blanks? I sort of remember but old age is setting in.
It doesn't get better than this
https://www.woodcentral.com/forkbb/topic/4514722/Madrone%20wood
Re: It doesn't get better than this
Wow just like that it is on WC. Thanks now to get my BS turned up.
Re: It doesn't get better than this
I've never turned Madrone, also called Arbutus, but I've read numerous posts over the years that it is very, very prone to cracking. Make your blanks and get them roughed out ASAP! Put them in bags or box or ... so they dry but don't store them near heat sources to keep the drying rate down. You can also coat the exterior end-grain with Anchorseal.
Bill
Re: It doesn't get better than this
Get it roughed out quickly - it starts to warp and split when it hears a chainsaw. Turn wet to finish and let it warp, or rough out and boil before drying.
Few woods are as easy to cut or as rewarding to turn in my opiinion...
Re: Madrone wood
I brought back a 14" log of Madrone from Oak Harbor, Wa. cost me a whole $5. I made a tall clock with a Geneva Movement in the lower part. The 12,3, 6 and 9 o'clock are 38 special cases. The others are live 22 cases with the primers unfired.
Re: Madrone wood
I like that. I have 3 pieces about 4 foot long and 10 inches wide I brought back. I have them in my garage and will start making blanks, and now maybe some flats out of them.
Re: Madrone wood
Jim......I see you've found your way to WC.....you'll be fitting in very well......