using spalted wood

[scouseroy]

I have tried three times now to make pens out of spalted wood .....but they "Fray" at the edges when I use the barrel trimmer or as I get near the edge when on the lathe, is there some way of stabilising the wood so its not so delicate I tried to use CA glue but it didn't seem to do much except glue the tube to the mandrel and I destroyed the blank trying to force it off lol

 

[silver]

I use thin CA on the blank when I have drilled it out, from both sides, internal and external.

If the hole fills up then re drill it out again..

I then turn it but leave a few mm on and not to finished size. Re CA it off the mandrel and then re mount and finish..

Not that it's the easiest way but find it works best.. Have tried some cuprinol wood harder recently. Jury is out at moment but seems ok..

 

[Jimjam66]

Try turning between centres (no bushings) and using a sharp skew to square the ends. Then mount with bushings and proceed as usual.

 

[mattyts]

I use a thinned down sanding sealer,glue the blanks,square them and soak them for a few hours

 

[paulm]

super thin ca on the ends of the blank before trimming it and do it very slowly... or sand it but put ca on the end again before turning it. A very sharp skew should help.

 

[Woody]

Well you seem to have got all the right answers Roy the only thing I do different is as well as sealing with thin ca I sand the ends of mine on a disk sander if you dont have one make a disk it use on your lathe I never use a barrel trimmer

 

[Jim]

Some good points here, but like Woody i sand mine on the disc sander also ..

 

[mattyts]

oh yeah.I face mine off on the lathe using a pen blank drilling chuck and a razor sharp skew layed flat!