Sweet gum wood question

[Bernie Kopfer]

Neighbor had a sweet gum tree removed this week so I grabbed a couple of pieces of the trunk. About 13” dia. I sealed the ends and will have to let them sit until my shoulder heals. Is sweet gum a good wood for turning some small bowls? Or any other turnings? And are there any other things helpful to know about that wood? Thank

[John Hart]

Never turned any m'self, but have seen some very pretty pieces turned from it and folks say it is pleasurable.

[Robert Henrickson]

It turns very nicely. I've turned both multiaxis plates and bowls. Grain figure is not dramatic. It readily spalts, with highly varied but often beautiful results.

[Mike Wagner]

It is one of my favorite woods to turn. good score.

[Reed Gray]

Depending on the tree, the wood can be rather bland in color, but some have nice mineral/color streaks running through them. Turns easily. I do tend to leave it a bit thicker than most of the other woods I turn. Mostly because it is rather light weight and doesn't 'feel' right unless it is a bit thicker. I do green turn to final thickness and let them dry and warp.

robo hippy