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Cedar - some questions

Hello all, Recently (last week) I went to the local Sam's club and on the way out spotted a couple chunks of cedar in the parking lot. Seems they had been tossed out on the ground. I am fairly sure they are cedar as I've wacked down several cedar trees in the past as well as recognized the bark. The 2 pieces are about 12" diameter and about 18" in length. One thing is rather puzzling though - they seem to be awfully lightweight. There is not end splitting and the wood appears to be drier than a popcorn fart. Now, how easily does cedar turn? Much problem with tearout? Any suggestions on finishing? Thanks.

Reply to
Kevin
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What kind of "cedar" do you think it is? We have no native true cedars.

Eastern white and red aromatic would seem the most likely candidates. Neither weigh much dry.

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turns a dream, eastern white has a tendency to crush a bit, andneeds care.

Reply to
George

Kevin,

I've turned some Western Red Cedar, so I can talk about it, but not all "cedars" are created equal. (Here in central Texas, we have a nuisance tree known locally as mountain cedar, but it is actually a juniper.) If you have WRA, it will have a lot of tear out. What I did was to turn to rough out size (wall thickness 10% of diameter), then soaked in Boiled linseed oil for a full day, then set out to cure. It moved a lot during this time, but the walls had stabilized enough to get a pretty clean cut. If the piece is large, you may need to repeat the process. It makes an attractive finished product. Any way, found wood is good wood.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX

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Reply to
Ken Moon

I've turned some aromatic cedar. I've had some problems with big slivers splitting off requiring design changes. It also heat checks easily so take it easy sanding. Any chance what you found is yew? I've found yew to turn nicely, with little movement and no checking. Martin

Reply to
Martin Rost

Hi Kevin

I assume you are talk> Hello all,

Reply to
Leo Van Der Loo

Is that the "found wood" species name?

Love it.

occidentalis

Reply to
George

OOPS, (blush) OK you got me George, yes it is Thuja Occidentalis, and one letter can make a lot of difference, yes I think that that is the found wood. Juniperus Virginiana "aromatic cedar" or "red cedar" is in my experience maybe not a heavy wood but I certainly would not call it "awfully light" either, it apparently can grow up to 2 feet in diameter, but around here I've never seen it more than 8" though.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

George wrote:

Reply to
Leo Van Der Loo

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