I have turned a lot of woods in the last few years, but never had the opportunity to turn sycamore.........and always wanted to try it because I really am fond of the lace grain structure in it. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I got an opportunity to cut some that was down at a construction site for a cabin along the Shenandoah River. This particular piece came from a large log that was hollow in the middle and as you can see had some "natural embellishers" that were resident in the wood. This was a slab piece off one of the sides.
This wood has spalting, lace grain and holes...........what a job done by nature, eh!?
Two of us went to a cut and haul session and we got about 36 pieces of assorted sizes........only loaded about 1/2 my trailer because I was coming down with the flu at the time and just ran out of gas before the chainsaw did!
At any rate........this is my first experience turning sycamore..........while this does not have any finish on it yet [I am waiting for an order from CS-USA I placed this morning - has some metal inlace and a few other items on it] I will finish it when I get the holes filled.
I think these holes were from big black carpenter ants..........we chased a large hoard away when loading for sure.......and I made sure they were all gone before sealing any pieces or taking any into my shop!!!
I have two colors of metal inlace coming .........red and blue. What is your opinion on which color will look best with this lacy grain and colors of the sycamore? Give me your votefor red or blue! The most votes gets the pick and I will show it again when finished! Thanks!
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