Wood ID

[Mike Shannon]

I was given a bowl blank that was purchased from either Rockler or Woodcraft but no species identification.

I'm new to this and have limited experience with turning and wood species. I've turned a bit of pine, fir, walnut, oak, cedar, osage orange, pecan and hackberry.
None were near as hard as the wood in question. A lot of trips to the grinder. The little black pits are curiously interesting too.
Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Dave Landers]

I realize it's just mostly curiosity, I'm of the opinion that if I don't know what kind of wood it is, who really cares. You made a pretty nice bowl from "some sort of wormy wood". Let the bowl (and its maker) "speak" rather than deferring to the species.

Only problem with the bowl is you haven't signed it (yet?).

 

[Mike Shannon]

Thanks, Dave. I thought that since it's so hard and has a burl-like grain pattern that it would be an interesting species to learn about and be on the lookout for. And fancy store-bought wood.....not in my back yard (that I know of).

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

It's 100% Claro Walnut. I got some of that from Woodcraft and it looks almost the same.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

It's 100% Claro Walnut. I got some of that from Woodcraft and it looks almost the same.

Are you sure it isn't 50%

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Are you sure it isn't 50%

Well....what do you think it is?

 

[Mike Shannon]

It's 100% Claro Walnut. I got some of that from Woodcraft and it looks almost the same.

Great! Thanks, Gabriel.

 

[robo hippy]

Well, walnut does seem to require more trips to the grinder since it dulls all tools more than most other woods. Walnut does have a very distinct smell to it, which is why I can't turn it any more. It makes me sneeze and itch. Interesting bug holes. The bugs will go through the sap wood, but they don't touch the heart wood because it kills them.

robo hippy

 

[Mike Shannon]

Well, walnut does seem to require more trips to the grinder since it dulls all tools more than most other woods. Walnut does have a very distinct smell to it, which is why I can't turn it any more. It makes me sneeze and itch. Interesting bug holes. The bugs will go through the sap wood, but they don't touch the heart wood because it kills them.

robo hippy

This species is much harder than the few pieces of black walnut that I've turned.
Except for some wet Osage Orange I haven't turned anything that has a burl-type of grain. Maybe that dulls edges sooner?
Aside from a few pieces of pine/fir dimensional lumber this was also much drier than the wood I've been learning on

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Well, walnut does seem to require more trips to the grinder since it dulls all tools more than most other woods. Walnut does have a very distinct smell to it, which is why I can't turn it any more. It makes me sneeze and itch. Interesting bug holes. The bugs will go through the sap wood, but they don't touch the heart wood because it kills them.

robo hippy

I don't think those are bug holes, I think they are bark inclusions or burl voids in the grain. But, this is just from experience turning the wood, I could be wrong....

 

[Keith Aderholdt]

Nice bowl!

It does look like the little pits from bark inclusions. The holes remind me of the elm burl I have on my lathe right now.

If it's walnut or elm you'd know by the smell (assuming you already know the scent). Walnut still gets me excited enough that just the smell gets my heart pumping a little more. This elm burl might start to make the same association.

Luckily, my shop is full of black and claro walnut, critters don't like the heartwood. they might make a cameo but they don't stay and eat (especially with the sapwood right next door).

 

[Mike Shannon]

Thanks, Keith.
Ya know, I've turned a couple of black walnut pieces but haven't noticed the odor. I wear a respirator but I'll take note next time I get some walnut.