Pine tree pitch

Ralph, You do not want to turn this wood before the pitch is totally dried. Norfolk Island Pine doesn't have the same type pitch (glue is a better word) as northern pines. It will turn as nice but you really have to keep it soaked in the oil a lot longer than the NIP as it will crack quickly.

Good luck and I'd like to see a picture of what you turned and your process.

Ruth

I suggest soaking it in kerosene for 3 weeks, allow to dry then donate to the local witches club for their monthly bonfire.

================== Nope, Definetly nothing funnyb about pine pitch! Gets on you and every thing you touch and stays there until you wash you and all your tools, etc., in kerosene or mineral spirits. In addition, it will continue to seep for a long while AFTER you've finished turning it.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX. (Formerly from big pine country in Alabama)

Comcast:

You might want to think that choice over very carefully. Nice old pieces of pine (which I am assuming this is) are loaded, I mean loaded with pitch. I have cut boards on houses we were remodeling that were put in 40+ years ago that (no kiddin' here...) had knots that were still sticky when we cut the wood. The wood was gloriously fragrant... and somewhat sticky.

That older growth stuff was the source of turpentine for a reason; lots of "stuff" in the wood and in the knots. You will find that if this is recently cut that the actual knots and some inclusions can drip sap right out of the wood for years.

As an aside, whack a piece of this stuff up and turn it where you can try your skill on some of those big knots. The knots are as hard as concrete, and the areas around them tear out quite nicely.

Sure smells good when you are turning, though.

Robert

====>Actually, Ralph, it is more of a sit-down improv newsgroup casually related to woodturning. But we do have fun!!*G*

Leif

Is there any other kind?? *g*

I turn a lot of green pine and fir, and though sap is a problem, have never had much problem with it... must be a different species than the stuff on the west coast.. Most of the sap PITA that I go through is on tools and hands.. never had much fly around, even when the wood is throwing water... One interesting thing that I've noticed is that some types of pine seem to have something that transfers black paint (I think) from the tool rest to my hands.. sort of strange looking, after washing up, I have a faint black stain on one hand, like I'd been turning walnut.. Mac

03 Tahoe Widelite 26GT Travel Trailer replaced 1958 Hilite tent trailer 99 Dodge Ram QQ 2wd - 5.9L, auto, 3:55 gears

hmm.. I think you might have explained the black hand thing in my post above! Mac

03 Tahoe Widelite 26GT Travel Trailer replaced 1958 Hilite tent trailer 99 Dodge Ram QQ 2wd - 5.9L, auto, 3:55 gears

I guess I have to lighten up a bit, getting too serious about woodturning. Thanks to all that responded. I may not turn this wood at all, not sure at this point. I have heard comments from other turners about the weeping knots, doesn't sound very promising. Thanks again......Ralph

And it's not just the knots that weep, either..

We gave some relatives a goblet for a wedding present a few years ago.. pine with some very pretty knots and grain, and my wife burned their names, date, etc....

They think it's so cool that after a couple of years and through several coats of wiping poly and wax, that the end grain on the bottom of the goblet still leaks sap in hot weather... might not ever stop, I guess.. lol

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

================ Mac, It will eventually stop weeping, and by then, if it's like Southern Yellow Pine, it'll be hard as a rock.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

Douglas Fir too. I've put 16d nails into some of the framing in our 80 year old attic and believe me, the old-growth Doug Fir bent quite a few of them.

========================

Seems like a lot of "soft woods" become "hard woods" over time.{:-)

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

probably not... this gets lighter and lighter as it loses water and sap and if you don't keep the finish up on it the wood gets really soft and flakey.. It sure has pretty grain and knots, though..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

That was back in the days of "real" wood, Owen... it had to walk to school in the snow, uphill both ways..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Go easy there, Mac. I laughed so hard I almost spewed my iced tea all over the monitor...

If only my poor old 80 year Daddy could see that.

He walked uphill both ways, without shoes, carrying his little brother. Then, and only then, did he walk his paper route.

Robert

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote in news:1122185311.430263.103470 @g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Damn, I had to deliver papers first and had to carry my fat little brother and my sister too. Hank