Hello Mac,

I like Mulberry for turning, but like so many woods it carries its own
unique set of challenges... I don't have any problems with cracking, but
then I always boil my Mulberry using my well-known boiling protocol. The sap
as you observed, can tend to exude some sticky fluid, but that's a small
price to pay to work some nice timber.

Mulberry turns well, but offers a challenge in your abrasive protocol. The
softer spring wood is quite a bit less in density than the harder summer
wood. This requires an interference pad on the abrasive mandrel of
sufficient density to prevent undulations from forming on the wood's
surface. Sealing the timber prior to sanding with thin lacquer or shellac,
can also help prevent the surface from undulating during sanding.
Alternatively, a clear artists sealer/fixative can also help, if you prefer
water based solutions.

Alas, the mighty Mulberry looses its vibrant colour over time, unless you
add an adjunctive UV inhibitor like a H.A.L.S., or perhaps some T.T.D's to
the chosen finish to forestall the ultimate colour degradation. Without
adjunctive treatments added to the finishing protocol, it will over time
turn a bronze, light brownish colour, that is in and of itself, not
unattractive. The timber has very provocative visual qualities as well. It
is well worth your time!

I still have many fond memories of the Mulberry that grew in my backyard as
I was a small boy... It was fun to climb, made tasty berries that I greedily
consumed until I was sick and was as tall as Mt. Everest to a small 5 year
old boy... :-) Take care and all the best to you and yours!


On 2/9/06 10:26 AM, in article ,
"mac davis" wrote:

A neighbor brought me a couple of fresh cut mulberry branches yesterday... 5
or
6' long, 6 or 8" diameter...
I made a sample cut in one piece and it dripped white sap that looked like a
damn rubber tree.... is this normal?

Do I try to turn it like that, dry it a bit, cut and seal it and store it,
season it for firewood??

Any advice appreciated...
Mac
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

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