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Poplar Wood

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A neighbor cut down a poplar tree last year due to a lighting strike. He sawed up the (rather large) tree into into 4" x 4" timber 8 feet long to use for a large shed he was building. My neighbor had some 4"x4" cutoffs in different length's and he offered them to me. My question is since I'm new to bowl turning, is poplar good wood to practice on since the wood does not have a lot of pretty wood grain? It looks like to me it would be a good wood to Stain. What are your thoughts? Thanks and happy turning.
 
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It is good to practice with.

It is soft. When j lived in Maryland we used a lot of tulip poplar in classes.

It is too soft for utility bowls since it dents so easily.
Hey, thanks Al. What you stated is exactly what I though. Good wood to practice bowl making. Happy turning!
 

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American Tulipwood is also commonly called Tulip Poplar although it isn't a poplar. To add to the confusion there is a South American Tulipwood which is commonly called Brazilian Tulipwood which is actually a rosewood and not a member of the tulip tree family. I have occasionally bought the imported tulip wood for various projects like tool handles until the price got too rich for my blood. :rolleyes: Unlike the domestic tulipwood which is somewhat plain looking, the South American tulipwood is dense, heavy, and has spectacular color and figure. Tree names can be confusing.
 
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American Tulipwood is also commonly called Tulip Poplar although it isn't a poplar. To add to the confusion there is a South American Tulipwood which is commonly called Brazilian Tulipwood which is actually a rosewood and not a member of the tulip tree family. I have occasionally bought the imported tulip wood for various projects like tool handles until the price got too rich for my blood. :rolleyes: Unlike the domestic tulipwood which is somewhat plain looking, the South American tulipwood is dense, heavy, and has spectacular color and figure. Tree names can be confusing.
Hi Bill, this is very interesting. So Tulipwood is a lot like American Poplar? I turned some today and I find it pleasant to turn. I turned some glue blocks and made some special jigs for different things. It is very easy to work with. Happy turning!
 

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I should add that occasionaly spectacular grain can appear in tulip poplar.

Most poplar is clear white sapwood with a relatively small greenish heartwood.

I was given some "rainbow" poplar which was a tree that similar to walnut in color with purple and bluish streaks running throughout. I have also gotten some gorgeous poplar burl.
 
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Be careful using lightning strike wood. Depending on the intensity of the hit, the tree can basically fall apart when it dries. But, often you don't see that cracking until it dries or gets to a small cross section. Then you will see separation in the growth rings. So if you see a discolored growth ring, beware!
 
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Be careful using lightning strike wood. Depending on the intensity of the hit, the tree can basically fall apart when it dries. But, often you don't see that cracking until it dries or gets to a small cross section. Then you will see separation in the growth rings. So if you see a discolored growth ring, beware!
Thanks Richard for your comment. I did not know that about lightning strikes. That is very good information to know and be aware of. Happy turning
 
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Nothing wrong with poplar. In the kiln dried form it is commonly used for furniture parts and millwork that will be painted. In the green form it is what a lot of turners with access to it, like David Ellsworth, use in their turning classes.
 

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Super soft, worst than NIP...

I respectfully disagree. IMHO NIP worse than poplar.

The tulip poplar doesn't gum everything up like NIP.

Maybe Hawaiian NIP does not have sap like Florida grown NIP.
I never had a neglected round of polar glue itself to the floor. :)
 

Emiliano Achaval

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Let's just say that if I only had access to Poplar and NIP I wouldn't be a turner, lol NIP here takes a lot of work to make it look good and when you have a big load, it all spalts at the same time, have to turn non stop, then the soaking begins...
 

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1022-3 figured poplar.JPG ^^^^^ Poplar
Tulipwood 501.jpg
^^^^^Tulipwood

Unless it's a spectacular piece of poplar, I'll pass on turning more. Al is right.....too soft.
The second photo is Tulipwood......don't know if it is poplar, but still soft. Nice color though.

-----odie-----
 
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I respectfully disagree. IMHO NIP worse than poplar.

The tulip poplar doesn't gum everything up like NIP.

Maybe Hawaiian NIP does not have sap like Florida grown NIP.
I never had a neglected round of polar glue itself to the floor. :)

Oh no! I bought 3 NIP 8" blanks at the Symposium. I'm sure it is the Florida variety. I also bought a couple of 2" X 12" and did turn one. Agree kind of tough. The one good thing about poplar is it will take stain very well. The NIP is still somewhat wet. I was going to let it dry, but should I turn it wet?
 
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Poplar is useful for a lot of stuff.
Mostly practice and prototyping. Carving too.
It does take paint well.
It is also an irritant to some people.
I took a furniture class that used poplar and had upper respiratory issues from the dust. We did not use good dust management.
In a turning class we made 3 legged stools from poplar and I got hit again. A cough that lasted for months.
Again, poor dust management.
It potentially could have been any wood, but I avoid the stuff.
And I practice good dust management.
 

hockenbery

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Oh no! I bought 3 NIP 8" blanks at the Symposium. I'm sure it is the Florida variety. I also bought a couple of 2" X 12" and did turn one. Agree kind of tough. The one good thing about poplar is it will take stain very well. The NIP is still somewhat wet. I was going to let it dry, but should I turn it wet?
The ring of knots is well worth a little clean up.
folks down here turn a lot of it.
IMHO It is not easy to double turn with the knots.
It is just the messiest wood I have turned.

also you need to CA the knots in place as you turn them.
It has a hollow pith so it rarely cracks when drying.
Al
 

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Oh no! I bought 3 NIP 8" blanks at the Symposium. I'm sure it is the Florida variety. I also bought a couple of 2" X 12" and did turn one. Agree kind of tough. The one good thing about poplar is it will take stain very well. The NIP is still somewhat wet. I was going to let it dry, but should I turn it wet?
In Hawaii we follow our Demi God turner Ron Kent style of NIP turning. Starts by letting the NIP get spalted. Very easy to do here, just leave out in the yard. Check often... I usually cut the end to see the spalted lines. Problem is, if you bring lets say 3 truckloads of NIP, it all starts spalting at the same time. If you dont turn it all, its a fine line between spalting and punky rotten. Ron used to soak his in some kind of antifreeze solution, to make it easier to turn. SO, its super wet!! He used turn in shorts and slippers... Then the soaking begins... Takes up to 3 months to get the perfect color... I used Danish oil, in a 5 gallon bucket. Some turners use a giant cooking pot, looks like a 50 gallon drum, almost, but shorter. Some make they own recipe of oils and other ingredients... Yes, thats I why I prefer Koa , Milo, Kou and other local woods... Lol. Its also an art to orient the knots... They can make or break a piece. Too high doesn't look good. Too low either. Centered splits the piece in 2... Have to play around with them... Good luck!
 

Emiliano Achaval

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The ring of knots is well worth a little clean up.
folks down here turn a lot of it.
IMHO It is not easy to double turn with the knots.
It is just the messiest wood I have turned.

also you need to CA the knots in place as you turn them.
It has a hollow pith so it rarely cracks when drying.
Al
Agree, messiest by far....
 
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In Hawaii we follow our Demi God turner Ron Kent style of NIP turning. Starts by letting the NIP get spalted. Very easy to do here, just leave out in the yard. Check often... I usually cut the end to see the spalted lines. Problem is, if you bring lets say 3 truckloads of NIP, it all starts spalting at the same time. If you dont turn it all, its a fine line between spalting and punky rotten. Ron used to soak his in some kind of antifreeze solution, to make it easier to turn. SO, its super wet!! He used turn in shorts and slippers... Then the soaking begins... Takes up to 3 months to get the perfect color... I used Danish oil, in a 5 gallon bucket. Some turners use a giant cooking pot, looks like a 50 gallon drum, almost, but shorter. Some make they own recipe of oils and other ingredients... Yes, thats I why I prefer Koa , Milo, Kou and other local woods... Lol. Its also an art to orient the knots... They can make or break a piece. Too high doesn't look good. Too low either. Centered splits the piece in 2... Have to play around with them... Good luck!

Ugh!!! :( I guess I'm glad I have a large cherry tree that died and needs to come down
 
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Wow, all these replies has been so interesting to read about the poplar wood my neighbor gave me. I have turned some pieces and like most have stated, it is a very soft wood. I was going to make some tool handles out of it but I think that would be a bad idea. The wood is just to soft I suppose. For that project I'll stick to Ash or Hickory. Have not tried this yet but I would think Poplar wood would be good to use a colored stain with? However, to soft to use except if someone were making jewelry like bangles or pendents. Anyway, guess I could always use it in the fireplace lol !
 
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Be careful using lightning strike wood. Depending on the intensity of the hit, the tree can basically fall apart when it dries. But, often you don't see that cracking until it dries or gets to a small cross section. Then you will see separation in the growth rings. So if you see a discolored growth ring, beware!
Interesting. A bit off topic but I have a lightning killed dogwood that needs to come down. Wondered if it could be used for turning.
 

Bill Boehme

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Emiliano, I believe that it wasn't exactly antifreeze which is ethylene glycol and somewhat poisonous. I'm pretty sure that he used polyethylene glycol 1000, generally abbreviated as PEG 1000. The number 1000 indicates the nominal molecular weight. It used to be available until about a dozen years ago from Craft Supplies in five pound "wheels". The wheels of PEG 1000 look like soft white wax and they are dissolved in hot water to make the solution for soaking the turned pieces.

Polyethylene glycol comes in molecular weights ranging from around 100 up to about 20,000 or so. The lower molecular weight PEG is water thin and the high molecular weight PEG is like hard plastic. PEG is used in all sorts of products including some soft drinks, toothpaste, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and the beverage that we all love to hate ... the stuff that you have to gag down the day before having a colonoscopy.

Back on topic, I wouldn't recommend PEG 1000 for anything other than NIP because it makes finishing somewhat problematic. Anyway, I've been hoarding two wheels of PEG 1000 for at least a dozen years. It's sort of like owning a white elephant.
 

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but I would think Poplar wood would be good to use a colored stain with?

Poplar is sort of like a sponge and soaks up dyes and stains to the point that it makes the wood almost look like it was painted. It doesn't enhance the grain ... at least it doesn't on the poplar that you get at Home Depot or Loews.
 

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Interesting. A bit off topic but I have a lightning killed dogwood that needs to come down. Wondered if it could be used for turning.
Dogwood is great for turning. Threads well too. Just doesn't get big ever and rarely gets to 18" diameter.

We had a bring back tradition going at our club where the "winner" got a blank from last months winner and had to turn something from it for the next meeting and bring a blank for the next "winner." I "won" a dogwood blank. Turned a ball in a ball in a ball from it. The large ball is about 2.25" diameter.
There was enough wood left so I passed the dogwood on to the next "winner" who made a lidded box.IMG_4347.JPG
 

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Poplar is sort of like a sponge and soaks up dyes and stains to the point that it makes the wood almost look like it was painted. It doesn't enhance the grain ... at least it doesn't on the poplar that you get at Home Depot or Loews.

There is what is called "stain" grade poplar, clear no green or rainbow. I bought custom made doors and molding from a custom shop. Painters stained it with a mix of stains. Baseboard was also custom from the same shop. I'm satisfied.

image1.JPG
 
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it tends to pop so be sure to have a screen in place and it does not burn very hot.

Splits super easy and a few sticks for kindling work great.
Thanks Al.
There is what is called "stain" grade poplar, clear no green or rainbow. I bought custom made doors and molding from a custom shop. Painters stained it with a mix of stains. Baseboard was also custom from the same shop. I'm satisfied.

View attachment 23118
That door is beautiful William. The Poplar wood my neighbor gave does not have green or rainbow color. It is plain white through and through.
 
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Poplar is a genus. There are many species. Including Aspen and Cottonwood. Aspen is a wonderful turning wood for beginners: soft enough to turn easily but takes a nice finish. Cottonwood sometimes has beautiful grain and chatoence (sp) but has a strong tendency to tear out.
 

Emiliano Achaval

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Emiliano, I believe that it wasn't exactly antifreeze which is ethylene glycol and somewhat poisonous. I'm pretty sure that he used polyethylene glycol 1000, generally abbreviated as PEG 1000. The number 1000 indicates the nominal molecular weight. It used to be available until about a dozen years ago from Craft Supplies in five pound "wheels". The wheels of PEG 1000 look like soft white wax and they are dissolved in hot water to make the solution for soaking the turned pieces.

Polyethylene glycol comes in molecular weights ranging from around 100 up to about 20,000 or so. The lower molecular weight PEG is water thin and the high molecular weight PEG is like hard plastic. PEG is used in all sorts of products including some soft drinks, toothpaste, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and the beverage that we all love to hate ... the stuff that you have to gag down the day before having a colonoscopy.

Back on topic, I wouldn't recommend PEG 1000 for anything other than NIP because it makes finishing somewhat problematic. Anyway, I've been hoarding two wheels of PEG 1000 for at least a dozen years. It's sort of like owning a white elephant.
You are correct 100% When I started a long time ago, I tried NIP, its freely available here, and if woodturners dont take it, it goes to the dump, at least now they make compost with green waste.. Too complicated compared to Koa...
 

Emiliano Achaval

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Poplar is a genus. There are many species. Including Aspen and Cottonwood. Aspen is a wonderful turning wood for beginners: soft enough to turn easily but takes a nice finish. Cottonwood sometimes has beautiful grain and chatoence (sp) but has a strong tendency to tear out.
Thats explains why some looks nicer than others...
 

Emiliano Achaval

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Dogwood is great for turning. Threads well too. Just doesn't get big ever and rarely gets to 18" diameter.

We had a bring back tradition going at our club where the "winner" got a blank from last months winner and had to turn something from it for the next meeting and bring a blank for the next "winner." I "won" a dogwood blank. Turned a ball in a ball in a ball from it. The large ball is about 2.25" diameter.
There was enough wood left so I passed the dogwood on to the next "winner" who made a lidded box.View attachment 23117
Did I hear "good for threading"?? Another one to try!!
 

Bill Boehme

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Populus is the genus, not poplar. The genus does contain many species including the aspens and cottonwoods as noted. Allyn

I looked at your profile and saw that your occupation is ROF. I'm not sure if we have the same occupation, but I'm a ROF (Retired Old ∫@Яτ). :D
 
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This is an especially delicate time to point out regional differences, but y'all need to keep in mind that "Poplar" to those in the south means tulip or yellow or rainbow poplar aka Liriodendron tulipfera. To those of us in the north and west, "Poplar" means one of the members of the Populus genus, variously called poplar and cottonwood, and includes aspen. While we're at it, in the south, dogwood means a tree, specifically Cornus florida, while in the north and west, it means one of a variety of bushes in the Cornus genus, often planted as landscape specimens, reaching about head high with the largest branch about an inch in diameter.

Most of us posting here know these sorts of things, but unless we're careful, and strive to be specific, our conversations on wood will be unnecessarily confusing.
 
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