Shopsmith Forums

I thought I'd mention Applewood, which you don't see too often. I obtained a small log of it and it is really super for turnings, knobs, etc. It's like a super version of Cherry, and you almost have to plan on including some light sapwood along with the heartwood, plus spalted areas too.

Here is a guy who used some for a saw-handle (about halfway down the page):
http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/saws.htm
(I really like his work.)

That apple wood is beautiful and I really like the contrast between the sapwood and the heart. I was particularly interested to see the medallion and bolts were through the sapwood.

I recently acquired a few small logs of magnolia to practice some turning. Any thoughts on that?

ddvann79 wrote:I recently acquired a few small logs of magnolia to practice some turning. Any thoughts on that?

I have only turned pens with Magnolia wood. I turned very nicely. The log I had cut the pen blanks from was about 5” round and 24 “long. It was cut about a year before I got it. It still contained a lot of moisture. I cut the blanks larger and normal and the dried then in the micro wave.

My kitchen cabinets doors are 100% apple wood. Flat panel construction. They are holding up very well. They look real nice. Not my work - came from the manufacturer of the home.

I have used apple for inlays and band inlays, as well as hashing around table tops and chests. Great contrast to darker woods. Cool little saws. Wonder what those are used for. Making toothpicks? jimsjinx

Here's my poor-man's attempt at a Lie-Nielsen plane.... applewood:

[ATTACH]12037[/ATTACH]

Just a little Apple Tree wood was left, so here was the last project:

Boring the center for a screwdriver billet:
[ATTACH]12649[/ATTACH]

Shaping the screwdriver handle:
[ATTACH]12650[/ATTACH]

Using epoxy to glue in the tool-retainer (inner) and ferrule (outer):
[ATTACH]12651[/ATTACH]

Now polishing on the lathe:
[ATTACH]12652[/ATTACH]

And a finished tool!
[ATTACH]12653[/ATTACH]

Nice looking tool.

Where did you get the tool retainer?

Thanks for the kind words!

This particular screwdriver was from a Rockler kit:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... iver%20kit

I have also used the Penn State kit which is a tad more elaborate:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKSDK4.html

Both have good instructions and make great gifts when you're done.