Recently took down some liquid amber trees. Anybody ever turn or work on this stuff? Coated a couple of ends with wax on 3 ft poles and am letting them dry out in consideration of turning. Thinking of doing something like and similar in nature to some heart wood. Straight grained and splits easily, like cedar. Does this stuff work well? Out of this ton of experience, just wondering for a good word or two.
TIA
Liquid Amber
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Liquidamber
Reference -- "Wood Identification and Use" by Terry Porter.
American Red Gum (Liquidamber styraciflua (Hamamelidaceae)
Also called: sweet gum, red gum, Bilstead red gum., sap gum, satin walmut, hazel pine.
Descrition
The heartwood is reddish-brown, frequently variegated with dard streaks and is usually highly figured, whereas the contrasting sapwood is pinkish-white and foten has blue sap stains. The wood typically has an irregular grain, with a fine uniform testure and a satin lustre. QAuartersawn stock will often show a pleasing mottled figure. The heartwood is sold as red gum (satin walnut in the UK), and the sapwood is sap gum (hazel pine in the UK).
Properties
Red gum is rated as having medium strength in all categories, except for a very poor steam-bending classification. The wood works readily with both hand and machine tools, and has only a slight blunting effect on cutting edgies. Red gum screws, nails, glues, sands, stains and polishces well, and can be brought to an excellent finish.
Seasoning
It dries rapidly and has a distinct tentency to twist and warp; shrinkage and splitting can be high if the drying is not carried out with care. The wood shows moderate movement in use.
Durability
The wood is not durable, and is vulnerable to insect attack. The sapwood is permeable for preservative treatement, but the heartwood is moderately resistant.
Typical uses
Furniture and cabinetmaking, doors, interior trim, interior joinery, panelling, dry cooperage, flooring, turnery and railway ties. It is also sliced for decorative veneers and rotary cut for plywood.
Possible health risks -- Dermatitis
I hope this might be helpful - Mark
American Red Gum (Liquidamber styraciflua (Hamamelidaceae)
Also called: sweet gum, red gum, Bilstead red gum., sap gum, satin walmut, hazel pine.
Descrition
The heartwood is reddish-brown, frequently variegated with dard streaks and is usually highly figured, whereas the contrasting sapwood is pinkish-white and foten has blue sap stains. The wood typically has an irregular grain, with a fine uniform testure and a satin lustre. QAuartersawn stock will often show a pleasing mottled figure. The heartwood is sold as red gum (satin walnut in the UK), and the sapwood is sap gum (hazel pine in the UK).
Properties
Red gum is rated as having medium strength in all categories, except for a very poor steam-bending classification. The wood works readily with both hand and machine tools, and has only a slight blunting effect on cutting edgies. Red gum screws, nails, glues, sands, stains and polishces well, and can be brought to an excellent finish.
Seasoning
It dries rapidly and has a distinct tentency to twist and warp; shrinkage and splitting can be high if the drying is not carried out with care. The wood shows moderate movement in use.
Durability
The wood is not durable, and is vulnerable to insect attack. The sapwood is permeable for preservative treatement, but the heartwood is moderately resistant.
Typical uses
Furniture and cabinetmaking, doors, interior trim, interior joinery, panelling, dry cooperage, flooring, turnery and railway ties. It is also sliced for decorative veneers and rotary cut for plywood.
Possible health risks -- Dermatitis
I hope this might be helpful - Mark
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Greenvilleguy
- Gold Member
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:55 pm
- Location: Greenville, SC
Len,
I have some sweet gum trees as well (if that is the same thing). I know they are very difficult to split because of a really swirlly grain.
I haven't tried to turn them into bowls, but I'd like to.
Please keep us posted on your experience with this wood. The grain is sooo difficult to work with, but it looks like it would make specticular bowls because of that.
I have some sweet gum trees as well (if that is the same thing). I know they are very difficult to split because of a really swirlly grain.
I haven't tried to turn them into bowls, but I'd like to.
Please keep us posted on your experience with this wood. The grain is sooo difficult to work with, but it looks like it would make specticular bowls because of that.