I have been turning for approx. 2 years. I have mainly turned the native mesquite that we have readily available here in Texas. My neighbor told me that he has a couple of large china berry trees he wants to cut down. My question is this, Is china berry a viable wood for turning? I am unfamiliar with this tree. Any help would be appreciated. Thx. Jim Cox
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Turning china berry
- Thread starter Jim Cox
- Start date
It's pretty soft but you can turn it. I'm in Austin and I occasionally turn china berry. It delivers a lot of tearout if you are not careful. However if you are careful the results can be spectacular. It is a reddish/brown wood and has a lot of open grain. Once you put oil on it such as tung oil it takes a very nice luster. Also it can have some curly grain in it if you are especially lucky.
I would cut down one and process it, then cut down the other when you are ready.
I would cut down one and process it, then cut down the other when you are ready.
To tell you the truth I got my last degree (phd) from A&M but I wasn't even a two percenter. I never went to one football game...it just never got on my radar.
I did have an informal bet with the guys in the office. I bet that the QB would defect to the big leagues if they won. Most of them bet that the QB would stay from loyalty. No way, it's all about money. I didn't even watch the game.
Anyhow, I've turned a bunch of chinaberry. If you get some pieces which are big enough you can capture some of the light yellow sapwood in your . I have made a few pieces like that and the distinction between the sapwood and the heartwood is dramatic and very appealing.
I've also processed some chinaberry with some spalting. Once it gets to that stage you might as well chuck it out, it gets way too soft. This is a type of wood that is best processed as fresh as possible.
I did have an informal bet with the guys in the office. I bet that the QB would defect to the big leagues if they won. Most of them bet that the QB would stay from loyalty. No way, it's all about money. I didn't even watch the game.
Anyhow, I've turned a bunch of chinaberry. If you get some pieces which are big enough you can capture some of the light yellow sapwood in your . I have made a few pieces like that and the distinction between the sapwood and the heartwood is dramatic and very appealing.
I've also processed some chinaberry with some spalting. Once it gets to that stage you might as well chuck it out, it gets way too soft. This is a type of wood that is best processed as fresh as possible.