Turning Aromatic cedar

[Craneman54]

I have a friend that is sending me some aromatic cedar.

One piece is a cedar burl.

Can anyone give me any tips as to possible problems I may run into with turning this wood.

I've never turned cedar before and don't want to mess it up.

I don't know what the size is yet,But I hope it will be round and pretty when I finish it. 😀

 

[Nice Bill]

Aromatic Cedar

Hi Craneman,

I would think the author of this web page can help you out. He turns round 😉 Aromatic Cedar. I think you will enjoy the page and I know he has answers for any of your questions.

Hope this helps.



http://www.geocities.com/erynthegrey/rob/woodensphere

 

[Craneman54]

Thanks for the link.

He does turn nice round balls.

I am really looking for tips as far as tearout or other probelms.

 

[Nice Bill]

Turning Properties

Hi Craneman,

It's me again. Just thought I would give it one more try. 🙂

I also agree the gentleman turns nice round balls, however, he turns them from "aromatic cedar. What other attack to a piece of wood reflects the turning characteristics of the same, ie. tearout.

Go to the bottom of his web page to see the "cedar" balls, laminated as well, and note that he invites any questions one would have relative to the subject -- aromatic cedar.

If anyone has answers for your concerns, this turner does.

My best resource for turning aromatic cedar. 😱

 

[arbud]

A happenstance

Crane, I just finished a simple cedar turning on Thurs. The wood had a moisture content of 13% and turned beautifully @ 1,800 rpm w/newly-sharpened tools.

It wasn't a "massive" piece, 17" x 3.5", but it behaved much as redwood. I found that it is not fond of friction heat generated while sanding @ 1,500 rpm. I cut the rotation to 800 rpm and didn't rush the process.

It's beautiful wood, enjoy the experience and pay attention.

 

[C Edward Moore]

Be Careful!

I cannot recall the source that my mind is scrambling for, but I was warned to be EXTREMELY careful about the dust when turning cedar. I just googled the topic and came up with this website:
cedar dangers

Apparently the warning I was given was not just idle chatter. 😱 😱

 

[Craneman54]

Bill thanks for checking back. 😀

When I went to the site all I got was the page you sent.When I tried to enlarge the pics,I got a Yahoo message stating that the site was temporally out of service,or something to that affect.Same thing when I tried to click on the ask questions link.Just went back to check again and I don't even get the page you sent before. 🙄

Don't know if it's the site or my computer,but I can't get the site to load.
What is your opinion of cedar as a turning wood, as when it comes to turning properties. 😉

arbud,I have'nt turned red wood,so I don't know what it turns like.I am turning a piece of cypress today.

Does red wood or cedar act in the same way?Soft and prone to tear out?I'm hoping to be able to make something nice for LOML with this and really don't want to mess it up. 😱

Thanks fo rthe help guys.

 

[dkulze]

Hellooooo.

I turn aromatic cedar pretty regularly so here's a few pointers:

The dust is reeeeeeeealy toxic so wear a respirator, not a dust mask. The kind that comes with the carbon filters and felt pads works well (I use a 3M at a cost of about $30). With no respirator, expect nosebleeds and a persistant cough.

Use very sharp tools and a gentle touch. The difference in hardness between sapwood, heartwood, and branch knots is huge and it's easy to dig or start a chatter going. Gentle touch and relatively high RPM solves this nicely.

Sand gently. Heat will cause a large amount of small cracks to form.

If it's handy to you, UV resistant eurythane or spar varnish is good for finish. The beautiful pinks, purples, and reds will fade to brown (still lovely but not so much) on exposure to air and light. Several coats of eurythane that is UV resistant and a spot out of direct sunshine will keep the colors vibrant for years.

And, lastly, if you have a cat, the shavings make great litter.

Enjoy, Dietrich

 

[Craneman54]

dkulze,Thanks for the warning.Looks like I will have to get a respirator.

Ed More,I got Nice Bills link to work,but now I can't get your's to come up.Now I know I must have a bug in my puter.Also thanks for the info.

Nice Bill, Check your E-mail.

 

[C Edward Moore]

I just clicked on the underlined "cedar dangers" in my post and immediately got the OSHA page with its info. So, the problem is either yours or your provider's.

As Dietrich also suggested, cedar dust is nothing to mess with.

 

[Craneman54]

Ed I don't know what is going on with ny PC.I just clicked the link and got tha OSHA site.Thanks for the info.

 

[C Edward Moore]

Craneman,

If I knew you well enough to joke I would say, "Maybe there's a nut loose on your keyboard." But, I don't, so I won't say that. 😀 😀

And a Merry Christmas to everyone, 🙂

 

[Craneman54]

Ya don't have to know me to joke with me.

You have no idea just how loose the this nut is. 😱

 

[bowlbound]

Aromatic Cedar

Hi Craneman,
I am new to turning and love 😀 turning red cedar. Have just received my new lathe and have plenty of wet cedar to turn.
I can tell you first hand that the dust is hazardous. I have in the meantime built a room with an exaust fan, while waiting for the new lathe.
The finish that I use is to brush on a coat of sanding sealer, sand lightly. Then I spray it with acrylic enamel,2-3 coats (spray can at Auto Zone).
People that see the finished product, think it is still wet.
Walker, Louisiana
Larry

 

[mreich]

Dietrich is correct about aromatic cedar. I've turned several commissions out of it and have a couple of additional obversations from my experience. Be very careful with the burls and the areras where inclusions occur. Chunks of the wood can fly off the lathe with no warning. CA might help a bit but don't bet your health on it. And with improper tool work you will get tearout.

Ditto the dust -- stay away form it! However the shavings also make good muclh around some herb and vegetable plants. Seems to keep a number of pests at bay.

Good luck