I got lucky

[Eugene Wigley]

A 10" diameter limb fell out of one of the sweet gum trees in my yard. I cut 4 bowl blanks and 3 4" thick cookies(disks) off the end of the limb. I was going to finish cutting it Saturday. Girlfriend wants limb out of yard NOW. I guess I will finish cutting it this evening. I should get several more blanks from it. The limb was dead but it is solid, hard wood. I hope it will make good wood to practice on.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Eugene - congrats on your wood score! Sweet Gum can be some beautiful wood and worthy of more than just practice! Do a search on this forum and check out some of the great things that have been turned out of Sweet Gum!

Here is a sample of a few that I have saved to my favorites folder:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=81328&highlight=sweetgum
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=63021&highlight=sweetgum
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=54763&highlight=sweetgum

Looking forward to seeing what you turn out of it!

[Eugene Wigley]

Steve, thanks for posting those. They are great. I will cut as many blanks as I can from that limb. I am looking forward to turning that sweet gum.

[Jim Underwood]

It's great wood for turning, just be aware of the reason it's called 'sweet' though... It's rather pungent.:D

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great turning wood as Jim said and yes does have a odor. Not bad enough not to turn though.:)