Nature of the wood or my technique?

[busby42]

Hi again,

I have just turned and part way through finishing a blank for a bolt action tec pen. I am noticing very dark dots or streaks in the wood (very strong in the pictures below). This one is using some Indian Babul wood. Is this just a property of the wood, is it a poor quality wood/blank or am I just doing something wrong? I didn't get anything like this from some Laurel Burr I turned previously.

The second 'feature' I have noticed is shown in the third picture, this has happened in two different woods (the Indian Babul and a Chilean Laurel Burr), again, is this a property of the wood or my technique?

Can I do anything to prevent either of these two occuring as both seem to detract from the finished article?

Thanks all
Sam

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[Louie_Powell]

It's the wood.

Variations like this are what make wood interesting. It's all different.

Just like people.

 

[yorkshireman]

I can't see a problem Sam. What I can see is some great looking blanks with distinctive markings.

 

[zanz]

Looks normal to me. Sometimes if you go too hard on your sandpaper, usually with very fine grits, you can get color transfer/grit coming off. I had some pink ivory take on a sort of dirty appearance after sanding it a bit hard with some fine black sandpaper. What is it about the third picture that you're concerned about?

 

[rayf6604]

Looks to me like it's the normal beauty of the grain

 

[hawkeyefxr]

That is a fantastic wood grain, i would be very happy with that.

 

[edlea]

Everything looks fine to me

 

[Pierre]

You can get metal transfer from the bushings which will fill the pores I would suggest that you seal the piece with sanding sealer as you get to the higher grits this will stop most of it and try to avoid sanding the bushings as you are working the piece. Beech really marks up as does pink ivory.

PG

 

[bluntchisel]

Bloody hell, don't use it, it's crap. Send it to me and if you've a truck-load I'll have it all!!!

That's some lovely wood you've got there, Sam!

Bob.

 

[Penpal]

I undercut my bushes to prevent any interference with the blanks. Using the caliper for measuring. Yes there can be carry over with black paper in the fine grades, change to white then.

These timbers are quite appealing really.

Peter.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Take no notice of their advice. The timber is no good for pens. Send it to me & I'll try my best to salvage something.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Its perfectly normal. As already said part of the beauty of wood
Ignore anyone who says you should send it to them, unless of course your really unhappy with the way it looks, then I'll take it off your hands, all totally free of charge :wink:

 

[Phil Dart]

All that has happened in photos 1 and 2 is that you have exposed the ends of the cells that make up the longditudinal grain, which happen to show up as dark in that particular species. In other words, because the grain in wood is rarely straight or exactly parallel to the axis of your lathe, you are seeing end grain from a side view.

In photo 3 you are seeing what are called medullary rays, which are cells that in some species grow perpendicular to the lingditudinal cells.

None or what you are worried about is your fault or have anything to do with bushes or sanding transfer. In both cases they are a perfectly natural part of the figuring in the wood which help to form its character and beauty, and particularly in the case of medullary rays, are highly prized by woody type people.

However, if you send it all up to me I will have a closer look for you and make sure I am correct

 

[Bill Mooney]

Howay lads, I asked first.

 

[busby42]

Right you are guys and thank you for the advice/reassurance, I'm pleased I found my way here! Phil, your explanation did it for me, now I understand what's going on in the wood.

Now, with all your reassurances, I will go ahead and assemble

I think I'll find a good use for the remainining blanks I have, but thanks for all your kind hearted offers to find them good homes I'll know what to do should I ever disown them

 

[Bammer]

All that has happened in photos 1 and 2 is that you have exposed the ends of the cells that make up the longditudinal grain, which happen to show up as dark in that particular species. In other words, because the grain in wood is rarely straight or exactly parallel to the axis of your lathe, you are seeing end grain from a side view.

In photo 3 you are seeing what are called medullary rays, which are cells that in some species grow perpendicular to the lingditudinal cells.

None or what you are worried about is your fault or have anything to do with bushes or sanding transfer. In both cases they are a perfectly natural part of the figuring in the wood which help to form its character and beauty, and particularly in the case of medullary rays, are highly prized by woody type people.

However, if you send it all up to me I will have a closer look for you and make sure I am correct

Anorak Alert

 

[wm460]

Looks good from here.

 

[fortress]

It is a fantastic looking grain Sam, please show us the finished pen.

 

[Winemaker]

They will look ok when you have finished them

 

[bassethound]

Ouch..what a shame that is, I wouldn't want more than a lorry load of timber like that nice blank mate!