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Alder

I have turned quite a bit of alder and find it a bit soft consequently tear out can be a bit of a problem. It is reasonably well behaved when drying a roughed out bowl blank. A real treat is spalted alder. The colors are incredible and I can't keep anything I make because people keep taking it away!

Ken Cawley
Powell River, B.C.
 
As Ken said, it is a bit soft and tear out can occur. I like the soft pink/red tones in the wood though. The spalted material I've worked with has had fine black lines bordering creamy colored wood that is even softer than the pinkish wood. Use really sharp tools, shear scrape, then sand to a fine 400 or 600 and you should get nice results.
 
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