Pecan

[Jeremy Leasure]

Was given some pecan the other day. It had to hitch a ride 350 to my summer location to arrive today though :) I know it's exceptionally hard when dry, but how does it hold detail, what is the tearout like and so on?

http://i.imgur.com/EL9Yb.jpg

[Bernie Weishapl]

Congrats on a nice haul Jeremy. I got some pecan from Mike Smith. I roughed it and am in the process of finishing it. It is pretty hard but does seem to cut nicely and seems to be ok as it has been drying for over a year. I have been watching the first piece to see if it will move but hasn't yet so will complete sometime in the next week or two. I do like turning it and you are going to have some great turnings with that wood.

[Roger Chandler]

That ought to keep you busy for a while..........I have not personally turned pecan as of yet.........but some turnings I have seen look great with the darker streaks in the grain............ought to be some pretty stuff come out of those logs.

[Steve Vaughan]

Yup, that's a beautiful wood and you've got a pile of it to last forever! I've found a bit of tearout/chipout on the sides of a bowl but sharp tools and light touches on those final cuts should do the trick. Cuts great when green as most do, and dried out it's hard as a brick. Sands well and you can really slick it up with those higher grits. Looks like you might have quite the variety in that tree and it's all good - the light/dark, worm and bug holes, really adds great character to the wood.

[Larry Pickering]

Leave a few pieces on the ground, spalts easily and looks great.

[Alan Trout]

Save some of it for BBQ It is wonderful smoking wood. If it is pretty I turn it. If it is not I use if for BBQ. It turns well wet but once dry it is pretty dang hard stuff. I turn lots of difficult woods. In particular I mess with a lot of live oak which in my opinion is worse than pecan. Sharp tools and patience are all this is really needed.

Alan

[robert baccus]

Great turning wood--absolutely georgeous when spalted and a bit softer too.--------------old forester

[Nathan Hawkes]

One word you need to remember is Pecancrete. Seriously though, its not as hard as most wood in Australia is, and is pretty. You might think about wearing a glove on your left hand--it is fairly stringy, like any Hickory wood may be, and can be pretty abrasive on your left pinkie finger. It does move a lot, and does tear out if your tools aren't sharp. Great score!

[Jeremy Leasure]

I think pecan and I will get along nicely. Thanks for the info, didn't think about using it as a smoking wood. My Aunt will be glad to have some to try out. It really peels off in nice ribbons when roughing.

Split one of the smaller crotches and roughed it out. 14x4ish

http://i.imgur.com/r6hIV.jpg

Edit: Went ahead and turned a big one. 18.5x6.25

Looks pretty cool in person. The wait will be a killer though :)

http://i.imgur.com/yjSTM.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/Am9Tj.jpg

[Thomas Canfield]

I would caution you that there can be a lot of borers (worms) in the bark that will keep working with Anchor Seal on ends. My experience is pretty limited, but most of the Pecan has had the worm problem. Green turnings did seem to move, especially close to the pith area which needs to be removed.

[Baxter Smith]

Have to say I like that last one!!