Just bought new home and have two rather large Basswood trees in the fornt yard that have to go. I know it's a great wood for carving but what about turning?
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Basswood...uses for turning?
- Thread starter Mopfan43
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Plain vanilla. It's pretty much characterless. Responds well to the chisel, forms good shavings, but comes out as sorta white and just lays there.
If these are fresh, you'll want to get them to a sawyer soon, as bass in the log has a tendency to go brown pretty fast. Best secondary wood going for woodworking, in my opinion, but up here you can't give it away. Pallets, lath, and pulp is all it goes for.
If these are fresh, you'll want to get them to a sawyer soon, as bass in the log has a tendency to go brown pretty fast. Best secondary wood going for woodworking, in my opinion, but up here you can't give it away. Pallets, lath, and pulp is all it goes for.
If you fish, you can turn it into bobbers. Once dried, it floats and is light enough for even the most nervous fish.
yes i fish
Redfish-- I love to fish & hunt. I use bobbers and slip rigs often this is a great idea! What a ay to tie the two hobbies together. THANKS. Seems I can never find just what I want in a bobber either, so know i can try my own.
Redfish-- I love to fish & hunt. I use bobbers and slip rigs often this is a great idea! What a ay to tie the two hobbies together. THANKS. Seems I can never find just what I want in a bobber either, so know i can try my own.
yes i fish
Redfish-- I love to fish & hunt. I use bobbers and slip rigs often this is a great idea! What a ay to tie the two hobbies together. THANKS. Seems I can never find just what I want in a bobber either, so know i can try my own.
Redfish-- I love to fish & hunt. I use bobbers and slip rigs often this is a great idea! What a ay to tie the two hobbies together. THANKS. Seems I can never find just what I want in a bobber either, so know i can try my own.
Good for carved turnings
One of our woodturning club members gave a carving demonstration last week. He used basswood because it turned well and it was excellent for carving.
I also bet you could find some woodcarvers locally that would be willing to take it off your hands.
One of our woodturning club members gave a carving demonstration last week. He used basswood because it turned well and it was excellent for carving.
I also bet you could find some woodcarvers locally that would be willing to take it off your hands.
I've also read that basswood also makes fantastic Christmas tree ornaments since it's light and takes a decent polish. I've also seen it in books used to make easter eggs and fruit. Most of the guys that do it use Rit clothes dye or food coloring on all these to make some wild and bright stuff.
As far as the bobbers go, you can also turn corncob, so I've heard. I used to live at a place with megatons of corncob lying around but now that I have a lathe available, and do a good bit of fishing, I aint got no corncob.
Try this trick with the basswood for bobbers, since you're not really going to be anal about checks and light splits. Turn it green, maybe a dozen or so, in the inch to inch and a half diameter. Bore out the pith if it's there. Dry half of them in the microwave on low power (in three minute shots, letting them cool for 10 mins or so between shots) or in the oven on LOW(!!!!!) heat until you think they're dry. See which gives you better results--- I've seen both methods used (in books of course) for drying small wooden turnings. Then color them, and maybe even dip them in melted wax to seal them tightly.
As far as the bobbers go, you can also turn corncob, so I've heard. I used to live at a place with megatons of corncob lying around but now that I have a lathe available, and do a good bit of fishing, I aint got no corncob.
Try this trick with the basswood for bobbers, since you're not really going to be anal about checks and light splits. Turn it green, maybe a dozen or so, in the inch to inch and a half diameter. Bore out the pith if it's there. Dry half of them in the microwave on low power (in three minute shots, letting them cool for 10 mins or so between shots) or in the oven on LOW(!!!!!) heat until you think they're dry. See which gives you better results--- I've seen both methods used (in books of course) for drying small wooden turnings. Then color them, and maybe even dip them in melted wax to seal them tightly.
Hi Redfish.
You can actually turn lures out of it also. You'd use a polymer finish on it and mount in hooks and lips to taste.
One thing that the basswood would be very good for is texturing and surface alterations. It will take dye well and consistantly, can be carved and painted, and can be used to explore various texturing techinques. It's also good for building skills and trying new tools and cuts, as it turns very consistantly. If you're up for it, turn a nice cylinder or platter and go around the shop picking up various tools, doodads, and gewgaws and applying them to the surface while stationary and while turning at various RPMs. Files, saw blades, pens, washers mounted loosely on bolts, rotary tools, angle grinders, air hammers, the list is endless. Do the same with dyes and chemicals. At worst, you end up with a chewed up piece of wood. At best, you end up with a new and unique surface.
One thing to remember when doing this, safety is paramount. Use locking pliers to hold items, don't try shatterable items, wear gloves when practical, and always wear your face shield.
Good luck and have fun.
Dietrich
You can actually turn lures out of it also. You'd use a polymer finish on it and mount in hooks and lips to taste.
One thing that the basswood would be very good for is texturing and surface alterations. It will take dye well and consistantly, can be carved and painted, and can be used to explore various texturing techinques. It's also good for building skills and trying new tools and cuts, as it turns very consistantly. If you're up for it, turn a nice cylinder or platter and go around the shop picking up various tools, doodads, and gewgaws and applying them to the surface while stationary and while turning at various RPMs. Files, saw blades, pens, washers mounted loosely on bolts, rotary tools, angle grinders, air hammers, the list is endless. Do the same with dyes and chemicals. At worst, you end up with a chewed up piece of wood. At best, you end up with a new and unique surface.
One thing to remember when doing this, safety is paramount. Use locking pliers to hold items, don't try shatterable items, wear gloves when practical, and always wear your face shield.
Good luck and have fun.
Dietrich