I've got a small problem, I'm working on a project that will require a
rather thick piece of wood, finished size will be almost 5 inches in
diameter (at the bottom) made up of two different woods, one side being
walnut and the other a figured, lighter colored wood. This will be the
upper (18 inch tall) turned (hollow spiral) section of a set of table
lamps (pictures to follow, film at eleven grins ). I was thinking of
one of the woods that look as if they have hollows when they are
actually flat, like birds eye/quilted maple or something like lacewood.
I realize that the figuring may not look the same on a half-round
piece.

My problem is deciding on & finding a piece of wood to complement the
walnut that is thick enough (10/4 or 2 1/2 inches or more) for the
project, I would appreciate suggestions about types of wood (to
complement & contrast the walnut) and sources for same.


Thanks for any assistance.

Brian C.

Goosebay has birds-eye and curly maple in sizes up to 12/4

http://www.goosebaylumber.com/BirdsEye.htm

Stock varies, probably best to call them and find out if they've got
something you can use.

On 14 Jun 2006 17:29:51 -0700, "Brian C"
wrote:

I've got a small problem, I'm working on a project that will require a
rather thick piece of wood, finished size will be almost 5 inches in
diameter (at the bottom) made up of two different woods, one side being
walnut and the other a figured, lighter colored wood. This will be the
upper (18 inch tall) turned (hollow spiral) section of a set of table
lamps (pictures to follow, film at eleven grins ). I was thinking of
one of the woods that look as if they have hollows when they are
actually flat, like birds eye/quilted maple or something like lacewood.
I realize that the figuring may not look the same on a half-round
piece.

Lacewood is fun, but I don't think it'd look real good with walnut.
Bird's eye maple is kind of a crapshoot, though- I've turned it in the
past, only to discover that I turned all the figure off and was left
with a couple of little spots to remind me of what it was I had
wrecked... Couldn't tell you about the quilted maple, as I haven't
been able to find any to date.

The Bird's eyes will look the same on an half round piece, the
lacewood's flecks will strech out- though that is an appealing look as
well.

The stuff that holds it's figure the best in my experience is the wood
from right under a large branch. It tends to be good and curly, and
the figure goes deep into the trunk. Doesn't give you that hollow
look, but it is nice.


My problem is deciding on & finding a piece of wood to complement the
walnut that is thick enough (10/4 or 2 1/2 inches or more) for the
project, I would appreciate suggestions about types of wood (to
complement & contrast the walnut) and sources for same.

Maple looks great with Walnut, and is readily availible in figured
varieties. Butternut looks really nice with it as well, though I've
used a lot of it and haven't seen much figure in the stuff- it's also
a lot softer, so you'd need to take some care when sanding if you want
a seamless joint line. Something like Zebrawood might be spiffy as
well.

The red woods (Lacewood, cedar, cherry, etc.) don't give much
contrast, and you've got to be careful when you pick them. Best
example is walnut and cherry- the walnut fades, the cherry darkens
with age. Pretty soon your sharp contrast is a thing of the past.

This guy has some nice stuff for sale, and he's in this group.

http://handturnedbowls.biz/blanks.html

Only place I've run across with blanks that size, but others may have
better sources.

If you want walnut, Goby Walnut (Oregon) has everything you can
imagion. Gilmer Hardwoods in Portland, Or, has a lot of the 'if you
have to ask, then you can't afford it anyway' stuff of all sorts of
wood, including big leaf maple. Northwest Timber (also in Oregon) has
lots of very nice maple and walnut.
robo hippy
Prometheus wrote:
On 14 Jun 2006 17:29:51 -0700, "Brian C"
wrote:

I've got a small problem, I'm working on a project that will require a
rather thick piece of wood, finished size will be almost 5 inches in
diameter (at the bottom) made up of two different woods, one side being
walnut and the other a figured, lighter colored wood. This will be the
upper (18 inch tall) turned (hollow spiral) section of a set of table
lamps (pictures to follow, film at eleven grins ). I was thinking of
one of the woods that look as if they have hollows when they are
actually flat, like birds eye/quilted maple or something like lacewood.
I realize that the figuring may not look the same on a half-round
piece.

Lacewood is fun, but I don't think it'd look real good with walnut.
Bird's eye maple is kind of a crapshoot, though- I've turned it in the
past, only to discover that I turned all the figure off and was left
with a couple of little spots to remind me of what it was I had
wrecked... Couldn't tell you about the quilted maple, as I haven't
been able to find any to date.

The Bird's eyes will look the same on an half round piece, the
lacewood's flecks will strech out- though that is an appealing look as
well.

The stuff that holds it's figure the best in my experience is the wood
from right under a large branch. It tends to be good and curly, and
the figure goes deep into the trunk. Doesn't give you that hollow
look, but it is nice.


My problem is deciding on & finding a piece of wood to complement the
walnut that is thick enough (10/4 or 2 1/2 inches or more) for the
project, I would appreciate suggestions about types of wood (to
complement & contrast the walnut) and sources for same.

Maple looks great with Walnut, and is readily availible in figured
varieties. Butternut looks really nice with it as well, though I've
used a lot of it and haven't seen much figure in the stuff- it's also
a lot softer, so you'd need to take some care when sanding if you want
a seamless joint line. Something like Zebrawood might be spiffy as
well.

The red woods (Lacewood, cedar, cherry, etc.) don't give much
contrast, and you've got to be careful when you pick them. Best
example is walnut and cherry- the walnut fades, the cherry darkens
with age. Pretty soon your sharp contrast is a thing of the past.

This guy has some nice stuff for sale, and he's in this group.

http://handturnedbowls.biz/blanks.html

Only place I've run across with blanks that size, but others may have
better sources.