Shopsmith Forums

I just received some wood blanks from a friend at work today. The batch includes Red Oak Sap wood, Red Oak, Black Walnut, Red Cedar, Cross cut Pin Oak Swamp and Crotch cut Pin Oak. Which is the best to start out with for my first pen turning project. Which will give me the best results. Thanks in advance for any advice you are willing to provide.

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That's a little bit like asking which color is best IMHO.

As far as turning goes in terms of ease of turning. The walnut will most likely be the easiest, followed closely by the Oak. In general the tighter and more closed the grain the easier it is to turn.

The cross cut specimens will not be as strong due to the orientation of the grain (very Open since some of it is end grain). Once it is drilled and a tube glued in it will be better but light cuts with sharp tools here

The softer woods such as cedar and pine can be very difficult when turning. They tend to tear out due to their softer more open structures. Sharp Tools using light cuts (Notice a pattern here?)

As always, properly sharpened tools with light cuts and proper technique will always give the best results.

I find wood turning and pen making a nice training tool for patience. The more patient I am the better result I have. Most of my failures and errors can be directly related to a lack of patience on my part.

Nice Haul BTW, that should keep you busy for a while.

I know they're not "local" but I really like the way Cocobolo and Olivewood tun out pens. They're my favorites.