willow?

[mattyts]

Got 8 logs of Willow today,all 8 inch tall and between 8 and 16 inch wide,they are relatively newly cut...are they any good for turning? And whats the process for drying them? Can I cut them up a bit smaller and stick them in the attic? Cheers guys.

 

[paulm]

Ummmm, Neil is your man there, I think Willow is a bit special as its very wet to start with.

 

[Neil]

Woody has turned it and I agree with his philosophy, you don't know until you've tried it. However, others have and didn't bother again! It's very wet, splits like a banana without the flavour and doesn't even burn well.

 

[Walter]

I have been given several willow trees and bits of willow trees over the years and it does split very badly especially if it gets too dry but even with my "chuck it in a corner and wait two years" approach to drying wood I have usually managed to get a few pen blanks out of it.

I am no expert but based on my own experience with it I would leave it in large pieces so that there is more chance of getting reasonably sized intact blanks out of it. The good quality stuff that they use for cricket bats tends to be kiln dried in controlled conditions.