Turning Sweetgum

Stephen,

It turns well, but can be prone to tearout when wet. One of my early favorite pieces was sweetgum. Out west we know it as liquidambar (or as others are prone to misguess, Liquid Amber). Because it is generally planted in yards and parkways out here it tends to grow very fast with huge growth rings. With luck your source is from slower growth.

David

Stephen DiCenso wrote:

"poor man's walnut" turns well when it is not green. It will take stains, much like poplar I believe, but it does turn darker as it ages. I am not impressed with the grain or look of the wood, but with some stain it looks ok. You can't split it, the wedge will just sink into the wood, you will have to saw a log in half for bowl turning, but then again your bowl will not likely split either. GCS