I have a piece of a poplar limb from a neighbor's tree. Wondering??? I looked at poplar on the janka scale and shows it is pretty soft. Any had any experience turning it? I'm thinking it will be like turning pine.
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Tulip poplar
- Thread starter John Torchick
- Start date
John, I've turned some and actually liked it; it is a bit soft, but what I had was not as soft as pine and it turned well. It was also dry, not green, so no problem with cracks, checks, cut well. I liked it.
John, I've turn some as well, it is a bit soft so sharp tools are a must or you get a lot of fuzz. You can get nice purples & greens on some pieces otherwise its fairly plain. If it's wet you will want to make sure to seal and dry it carefully since it's prone to checking.
poplar
John,
I have found that if you don't find some with strong purples and greens, yo8u might not like it for it is a bit bla without some coloir. It turns fine, snads fine but something in it must give it some pisas. It will cure very light but looks neat with accent woods to combine with it. like cherry and walnut.QUOTE=Scott wheeler;62259]John, I've turn some as well, it is a bit soft so sharp tools are a must or you get a lot of fuzz. You can get nice purples & greens on some pieces otherwise its fairly plain. If it's wet you will want to make sure to seal and dry it carefully since it's prone to checking.[/QUOTE]
John,
I have found that if you don't find some with strong purples and greens, yo8u might not like it for it is a bit bla without some coloir. It turns fine, snads fine but something in it must give it some pisas. It will cure very light but looks neat with accent woods to combine with it. like cherry and walnut.QUOTE=Scott wheeler;62259]John, I've turn some as well, it is a bit soft so sharp tools are a must or you get a lot of fuzz. You can get nice purples & greens on some pieces otherwise its fairly plain. If it's wet you will want to make sure to seal and dry it carefully since it's prone to checking.[/QUOTE]
Poplar
As Scott said, nice colors...I had a tree in my front yard that came down by accident (it bumped into my chainsaw), was about 16" diameter. The wood around the crotches and knots was very nice...got some nice bowls and plates. I did not try any of it that was less than about 8"....that way, when I sawed thru pith, still had enough to get some nice little bowls. I did both turned edge and natural edge, and bark stayed on good, but used CA to bond anyway. Finished up very well with Natural Danish oil, 1 coat, and Beal system. I turned both dry and green, and had to be cautious of minor warping and checking. Well worth the trouble.:cool2::cool2:
As Scott said, nice colors...I had a tree in my front yard that came down by accident (it bumped into my chainsaw), was about 16" diameter. The wood around the crotches and knots was very nice...got some nice bowls and plates. I did not try any of it that was less than about 8"....that way, when I sawed thru pith, still had enough to get some nice little bowls. I did both turned edge and natural edge, and bark stayed on good, but used CA to bond anyway. Finished up very well with Natural Danish oil, 1 coat, and Beal system. I turned both dry and green, and had to be cautious of minor warping and checking. Well worth the trouble.:cool2::cool2:
Poplar's okay
Here is one of several pieces I've turned from Poplar. I agree with everything the others have said. It's okay and can be kinda nice, but not "top of the list". It is quite useful for jigs, jam chucks, etc. I've used it and pvc pipe to make several vacuum chucks.
Here is one of several pieces I've turned from Poplar. I agree with everything the others have said. It's okay and can be kinda nice, but not "top of the list". It is quite useful for jigs, jam chucks, etc. I've used it and pvc pipe to make several vacuum chucks.
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John,
We have a lot of popular here in the Orlando area and I use to turn folks down when they were giving it away. I don't now, at least not all the time, it is a great wood to use color and texture on. It gives me great practice before using maple or some expensive import. Also I have found that popular spaltz farily easy and will soak up dye(aniline dye). Just a thought.
Bill :cool2:
John,
We have a lot of popular here in the Orlando area and I use to turn folks down when they were giving it away. I don't now, at least not all the time, it is a great wood to use color and texture on. It gives me great practice before using maple or some expensive import. Also I have found that popular spaltz farily easy and will soak up dye(aniline dye). Just a thought.
Bill :cool2:
I too have turned Tulip Poplar and really liked it to my surprise. It turned nice and took a finish good. I was very pleased with the results. It has been a while since I had some tulip to turn but you have put the thought in my head and I think I just might have to hunt some down. 