Catalpa wood for turning?

[Andy Pogue]

I have access to a few Catalpa (we called it Catawba when I was growing up)

Has anyone turned it? How was it? Is it worth getting?

[Dwight Rutherford]

One of my favorites. Turns well, good color.

[Leo Van Der Loo]

It is a rather soft wood, with a funky smell, but it turns rather well, it is also split proof to dry with never a split or check showing, even large chunks left sitting dry without splitting.

The first one is made from a large double crotch and had lots of chatoyance, though it has turned darker after some years, the other is a smaller wobbly bowl that feels just nice to hold.

385789 385790 385791

[richard shelby]

A soft light weight wood with beautiful grain, stable when dry, and a soft brown color. Turns and finishes easily.385802

[Mike Cutler]

Hmmm,,,,
Maybe I need to go get that 24"+ diameter, limb section, I just cut off out of the brush pile, from the Catalpa in the front yard??

[Dennis Ford]

I agree with the previous comments. some additional opinions:
* It is very corrosive to steel while wet.
* It is very stable and takes longer than most to dry (consider turning to finished thickness while wet)

[Reed Gray]

The smell does not agree with me..... When finished and sanded, you pick it up, and it just doesn't feel right because it is very light weight. Color is nice...

robo hippy

[robert baccus]

Often ignored is that is extremely durable--good enough for fence posts--should make great outdoor items like birdhouses ect. It is an escaped tropical species--big leaves, durable wood, open crown ect.

[Andy Pogue]

Thanks!
You folks are a wealth of valuable information, I think I will try some!