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View Full Version : Basswood worth getting?


Roland Martin
04-20-2012, 5:28 PM
A friend just called to say a big basswood tree fell on his property, about 2 feet in diam. I know it's soft & pale and used for carving. Is it worth picking it up for turning? Thanks
Roger Chandler
04-20-2012, 5:33 PM
A friend just called to say a big basswood tree fell on his property, about 2 feet in diam. I know it's soft & pale and used for carving. Is it worth picking it up for turning? Thanks

in my opinion.............no..........others may differ, but basswood is just so light and soft it does not make for good turnings.........IMO.
Bill Bolen
04-20-2012, 5:45 PM
great for carving but a real headache for turning. Tear out is horrid and taking a finish....well lets just say it too is horrid!
Greg Ketell
04-20-2012, 6:46 PM
I would imagine it would be great for all your jam chuck needs.
Roland Martin
04-20-2012, 7:12 PM
Pretty much what I anticipated, horrid:D Thanks
ray hampton
04-20-2012, 7:16 PM
If basswood are light enough, make fishing floats and fishing lures with it,some turning on the lathe will be required
Marion Abken
04-20-2012, 7:27 PM
I would think it would be worth a little MONEY though. Better than nothing.
Richard Madden
04-20-2012, 8:38 PM
I turned one bowl out of basswood as an experiment for beading and pyrography. Tearout was a problem, but with lots of sanding sealer I managed to get it done. I'm thinking about getting more.
Jim Underwood
04-20-2012, 10:16 PM
Wish I had a few chunks. I've gotten into the carving a bit more, and soft wood is just the ticket. Although I have found that Alder works pretty well...
Greg Just
04-20-2012, 10:23 PM
I have turned some crotch pieces that had a little grain pattern, but otherwise I did not like it.
Jim Burr
04-20-2012, 10:30 PM
It's usually sold as a glue block type piece....have a lash and see what you think.
Breck Whitworth
04-21-2012, 2:23 AM
I've turned Bass wood and found it to be wonderful if it is dry. When the moiture level is high it is not a pleasure to work with. Here are a couple of lidded boxes I made out of Bass wood years ago. They turned out pretty good considering I was very new to turning when I did these.230183
Kevin W Johnson
04-21-2012, 2:33 AM
Couple nice looking pieces there.....