How to tell the type of wood I have

[Scott Brandstetter]

Please be patient, if allowed, going to be asking a lot of "stupid" questions until I learn a lot more.

Being eager to turn, I decided to go out and grab a random log off the wood pile. Figured since I am learning, any wood would (notice the rhyme) do. After struggling for a day or so, learning the difference in the tools, I was able to turn two very small bowls. Proud of myself and learned a lot.

While at Woodcraft today looking for a bowl gouge, I was asked an interesting question, what wood were you turning? Heck, I don't know. How would I? They gave me a warning that I should know what I'm turning, especially if it is dry. Gave me the idea that I was being reckless.

Can you all help me with this. I always have a true respect for power tools and want to know what I need to know.

 

[Bill Boehme]

... Can you all help me with this....

Yes, next time tell them it is FOG (found on ground) wood. The other species that you need to be aware of is Dunno wood. Those are two of the favorites of woodturners everywhere. 😀

If you want to know what I think of the folks at the store who told you that you need to know the name of the wood -- I think that maybe they meant well, but they are full of malarkey. I know the species of most of the wood that I turn, but not all and I don't know that knowing or not knowing has mattered much if any.

I would be interested in knowing what their response would have been if you had named some species. Next time, just to yank their chain, say that you are not certain if it is black walnut or holly and see what they say. 😀

 

[dbonertz]

I get what Bill is saying but I think Woodcraft may be looking out for your health. Some exotics can cause rashes and breathing issues. Most local varieties are harmless but some like walnut have been known to affect some people. It is best to be conscience of what species you are turning but not absolutely critical.

Contact your local forest service and ask them what common species are found in your area. They may even have a handout with pictures of the tree, bark, leaves and what the lumber looks like when milled.

 

[hockenbery]

Wood pile wood can be tough to identify from a visual inspection of the log or turned bowl. You might for instance get it to walnut or butternut but in further.

Our native woods are safe for most people
People get alergic to some woods like walnut, mullberry, cedar.....
It usually presents after working with the wood for a while.

It is a lot easier for me to identify wood from leaves.
Bruce Hoadly's book indentify wood has a method you can use to identify woods from the structure under a magnifying glass.

Have fun
Al

 

[robo hippy]

As you get more experienced, you can look at a piece and identify it. You may want to get a tree book that will identify trees that grow in your area. You can identify by leaves, bark, flowers and seeds, wood, smell, colors, and a few other things. Toxicity is a whole different thing, and some are, some might be, and some aren't, and that depends on the person as well. I really do need to acquire a swatch book of all the different woods I have used....

robo hippy

 

[Scott Brandstetter]

Thanks for the responses guys. Going to get out this weekend and see if I can find a book or two. Also just got a Stihl chainsaw and going to cut some blanks this weekend. In my country neighborhood, they have cut down a bunch of trees so hope to score a bunch of wood. Guess I will look at the bark and try to get diff trees.

 

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

here's a book you might consider:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/383653603X/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got one recently and I think it's a great reference.

 

[john lucas]

Lots of good books on tree and wood identification. I like to know if I can simply because wood movement is an issue in a lot of my pieces and I like to be able to look up the specs. However when I'm building something I really don't care what the wood is as long as it will do what I want. It is nice to know the woods that can cause alergies. My dad is alergic to Walnut. fortunately I'm not. A lot of people are alergic to Cocobolo, I'm not but it's good to know how to identify these woods so I can warn other people.
There are also some excellent sites on the web. Here is one that I use, I know there are lots more.
http://www.wood-database.com/

 

[John Torchick]

Learned something.
The only stupid question is the one not asked.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Go to your county agent. They will have pamphlets of your local trees. Will not help for all trees, but will get most, except ornamental and fruit trees.