This is for all you who turn pecan wood: I just finished a pecan bowl this evening. I found it a very good wood for turning but finishing was a different story. The wood was/is at 12% moisture content. I found it very difficult to obtain a smooth surface. Do any of you have a "trick" for finishing pecan?
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A bowl of pecan
- Thread starter arbud
- Start date
Weeeellll, Two things. First off, if you finish it green the grain will deform slightly as it dries and your surface will not be mirror smooth. If you don't mind this, it can be a nice effect as it doesn't get rough, it gets textured.
Second, if your having problems finishing off the rough spots at the sanding stage, turn the lathe slow and rub a gob of paste wax into the rough spot then sand it immediately. Not completely sure why this works but I think it may be that the wax lubricates the wood so that the paper can cut it but can't grab and pull it. Just be very generous with the wax and don't wait for it to dry.
Good luck,
Dietrich
Second, if your having problems finishing off the rough spots at the sanding stage, turn the lathe slow and rub a gob of paste wax into the rough spot then sand it immediately. Not completely sure why this works but I think it may be that the wax lubricates the wood so that the paper can cut it but can't grab and pull it. Just be very generous with the wax and don't wait for it to dry.
Good luck,
Dietrich
I'll try it!
Thanks, Dietrich, I give the wax & sand a go. This is my first go @ pecan. I'll put the finished bowl in the gallery.
Thanks, Dietrich, I give the wax & sand a go. This is my first go @ pecan. I'll put the finished bowl in the gallery.
What grits of sand paper are you using.What Brand?
I have worked with pecan and not had a problem with tearout unless I try and go too fast and too hard with my tools.
I use the 3X from Norton going from 80 if needed up to 320,then I use the gray synthetic pad.
I have worked with pecan and not had a problem with tearout unless I try and go too fast and too hard with my tools.
I use the 3X from Norton going from 80 if needed up to 320,then I use the gray synthetic pad.
A gritty subject
Crane, I had no tearout problem, the wood turned beautifully. The problem was finish. I used Dietrich's wax & sand (120 grit on a pad and air die grinder + paste wax) to get the really bad areas then 320, 600, 1200, and 2000 grits on the lathe and by hand as required. I also use a green 3m pad to remove sanding scratches after the 320 grit. The 600+ grits will not scratch wood, at least from my experience.
I buy my sanding supplies from Supergrit. I've had very good service from them.
Take your time, lad, and don't get the wood hot or you'll think you're sanding a spiderweb (tiny heat-related cracks.)
Crane, I had no tearout problem, the wood turned beautifully. The problem was finish. I used Dietrich's wax & sand (120 grit on a pad and air die grinder + paste wax) to get the really bad areas then 320, 600, 1200, and 2000 grits on the lathe and by hand as required. I also use a green 3m pad to remove sanding scratches after the 320 grit. The 600+ grits will not scratch wood, at least from my experience.
I buy my sanding supplies from Supergrit. I've had very good service from them.
Take your time, lad, and don't get the wood hot or you'll think you're sanding a spiderweb (tiny heat-related cracks.)