Anyone ever turn Cottonwood Burl? I have come into approximately 500lbs of the Burl and don't know what to expect in respect to its turning characteristics; such as will it get "fuzzy" when cut or will it cut like other Burls. Should the Burl(s) dry for a period of time or is it O.K. to turn right off the tree? I'm excited about this find and hope to turn it soon. I will add pictures when I can.
-
Congratulations to Alex Bradley winner of the December 2024 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Conversations are now Direct Messages (click here for details) -
Congratulations to Gabriel Hoff for "Spalted Beech Round Bottom Box" being selected as Turning of the Week for January 6, 2024 (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Cottonwood Burl
- Thread starter Garmar
- Start date
Garmar, it's not just useless but it's HIGHLY DANGEROUS!!!!!!
If you try to turn it, cut it, burn it, throw it away, give it away, sell it, or dispose of it in any other way IT COULD DESTROY YOUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, IF NOT YOUR TOWN AND STATE!!!!!
You have to get a professional involved OR TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN!!!!
Now, I know it's not usual but I'm SO CONCERNED that I'd be willing to step in and help with this. I'm a certified S.C.A.M.M.E.R. (Specialized Cottonwood Accident and Misuse Mitagation Expert, Retired) but would be willing to take this on for a minimal fee, ney, FOR FREE, because I'm so concerned for your welfare.
Just have the burl expertly strapped to a pallet and ship it to me. I'll handle it from there.
And remember, DON'T TRY TO USE IT AND DON'T TRUST ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU IT'S SAFE!!! YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF ALL YOUR LOVED ONES COULD BE AT STAKE!!!
Thanks,
Dietrich
If you try to turn it, cut it, burn it, throw it away, give it away, sell it, or dispose of it in any other way IT COULD DESTROY YOUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, IF NOT YOUR TOWN AND STATE!!!!!
You have to get a professional involved OR TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN!!!!
Now, I know it's not usual but I'm SO CONCERNED that I'd be willing to step in and help with this. I'm a certified S.C.A.M.M.E.R. (Specialized Cottonwood Accident and Misuse Mitagation Expert, Retired) but would be willing to take this on for a minimal fee, ney, FOR FREE, because I'm so concerned for your welfare.
Just have the burl expertly strapped to a pallet and ship it to me. I'll handle it from there.
And remember, DON'T TRY TO USE IT AND DON'T TRUST ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU IT'S SAFE!!! YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF ALL YOUR LOVED ONES COULD BE AT STAKE!!!
Thanks,
Dietrich
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
And he forgot to state that you must pay shipping (hazardous waste fee).
I have some but have not turned it. The piece I BOUGHT (yes Jeff, it is OK to buy wood) is fairly tight given it is a "soft" hardwood. The wood itself is horrible for turning (IMHO) but the burl looks real nice. I suspect that if it is tight burl, you can turn it right away, if the eyes are too big, it will shrink considerably and distort as it drys. Not a bad thing, but something that needs to be considered.
I am not sure the tree itself is even worth burning, but then again, 30"-40" diameter trees just fall down around here, since they rot away from the center, then get so weak, the trunk can't hold itself up anymore.
I have some but have not turned it. The piece I BOUGHT (yes Jeff, it is OK to buy wood) is fairly tight given it is a "soft" hardwood. The wood itself is horrible for turning (IMHO) but the burl looks real nice. I suspect that if it is tight burl, you can turn it right away, if the eyes are too big, it will shrink considerably and distort as it drys. Not a bad thing, but something that needs to be considered.
I am not sure the tree itself is even worth burning, but then again, 30"-40" diameter trees just fall down around here, since they rot away from the center, then get so weak, the trunk can't hold itself up anymore.
I've turned some cottonwood which had burl in it. Cottonwood itself is pretty soft. I agree with Steve that it is difficult to turn because it is so soft. However if you can use light cuts to avoid tearout you can end up with a beautiful piece.
If Dietrich's address is too far away you can ship it to my house. :cool2:
Steve - you bought some wood! Oh No ! 😱 It's a slippery slope. Before you know it you'll be buying extra turning tools too. There are so many free woods around here that purchased wood hasn't happened for me yet.
If Dietrich's address is too far away you can ship it to my house. :cool2:
Steve - you bought some wood! Oh No ! 😱 It's a slippery slope. Before you know it you'll be buying extra turning tools too. There are so many free woods around here that purchased wood hasn't happened for me yet.
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
We just don't happen to grow ebony, bocote, cocobolo, rosewoods, (should I keep going?)Jeff Jilg said:
Well, now that you mention it....those are kinda hard to acquire for free. :cool2:
Buying wood is wonderful when ...
Yesterday my lovely and generous wife was with me in a Woodcraft store when she picked up a chunk of big leaf maple burl and said 'you could turn me a bowl from this' and I said 'that one has a crack in it honey but this one looks nice (it was bigger of course)'. She even carried it to the counter.
Steve don't let Jeff bugg you. I live in corn country IL and I already made my one corn cob pen. To get any color and swirl I gotta shell out a couple bucks. I do find some wood at the city burn pit but I probably buy half my stock.
Frank
Yesterday my lovely and generous wife was with me in a Woodcraft store when she picked up a chunk of big leaf maple burl and said 'you could turn me a bowl from this' and I said 'that one has a crack in it honey but this one looks nice (it was bigger of course)'. She even carried it to the counter.
Steve don't let Jeff bugg you. I live in corn country IL and I already made my one corn cob pen. To get any color and swirl I gotta shell out a couple bucks. I do find some wood at the city burn pit but I probably buy half my stock.
Frank
At some point I'll probably have to creak open the wallet and pry out a few greenbacks to buy some burl. So far in my search for elusive free burl I have come up short. The closest I got was the mesquite thang . And while it was a very interesting piece of wood, it didn't have very much wild wood / curly grain in it. So I got close, but it was more of a growth than a burl. Dang. 😎