Nathan Conner
04-13-2008, 9:19 AM
So, I'm still a total novice at turning, but yesterday while cleaning up the yard I found that after I'd cut down a small Rhododendron - we have over 100, I'd guess - there was some stable wood in the 6" trunk. I threw it on the lathe for kicks, and it actually came off the lathe alright. I'll keep it around as a curio piece just to see if anyone can ever identify it.
The figure was really interesting - some flaming, some quilting, and neat cross-grain, it was soft and easy to work with. Fairly wet, still, but was able to get the walls nice and thin (probably < 1.8") and it sanded like a dream. It's about 4" tall.
If you get your hands on some pretty gnarly trunks from this odd shrub, give it a try. It's pretty satisfying stuff. Sorry for the photo quality. The recent cutting board was the only clean surface I could find in the shop
The figure was really interesting - some flaming, some quilting, and neat cross-grain, it was soft and easy to work with. Fairly wet, still, but was able to get the walls nice and thin (probably < 1.8") and it sanded like a dream. It's about 4" tall.
If you get your hands on some pretty gnarly trunks from this odd shrub, give it a try. It's pretty satisfying stuff. Sorry for the photo quality. The recent cutting board was the only clean surface I could find in the shop