All right, are you talking about actual telephone pole wood, as in wood
that has been used as a pole to hold up phone and or power lines? As I
understand it, this wood, and railroad ties for that matter, are soaked
in creosote to prevent rot. Irrc, creosote is a known carcinogen. You
may want to look up a MSDS online for creosote, or phone poles, before
you turn this wood for long...


Art Ransom wrote:
A new contractor came in yesterday and wanted 6" by 5' turned posts. He
had brought the material and they were Texas Ebony. Nice and dry, fairly
straight and not too badly dinged up. I am always a sucker for anything
new so I said for $100 each I would turn them. Just a straight post as
close to 6" diameter as material will allow. It was slow going getting the
first one trued up enough to get the speed up but I finally made it.
Finished post was 6" and the splits added to the charm. Really turned out
nice and rustic. Not signs of allergic rash this morning so I will do the
next one today. He wants me to do some 10' ones but some how they will have
to be milled a lot straighter so I can balance them.
FYI . Before they were turned the material was called telephone pole
after turning it is known as Texas Ebony.

--
Art Ransom
Lancaster , Texas

www.turningaround.org