Still playing with green black walnut (WHAT?!). Am working with
blanks that are half heartwood and half sapwood - half dark and
half almost white. The contrast is quite interesting. But being
a bit impatient (ok - totally lacking in the patience department)
I turn close to the finished thickness and want to see what the
finished piece will sort of look like.

SO - I run through the sandpaper grits - 120 to 320.

BUT - since the wood's still green, some of the dark sawdust gets
on the almost white wood and into it's pores and end grain. The
wood still being "green" that dark sawdust semi-soaks into some
of the white sapwood. Great for finding places that still need
sanding - not so good for keeping the dark/light contrast in tact.

Are "green" turners just a lot more patient than dry wood turners
or are there some methods or means to keep the white wood white
and the dark wood dark - while still green?

Green wood is more fun to turn than dry wood. You can cut
continuous ribbons of wood by the yards. And tools don't seem
to dull near as quick as when turning dry wood. On the other hand,
there's that patience thing as well as the "I have only a vague notion
of what shape this thing will end up with when it finally dries" thing.

Ideas? Suggestions? Caveats? Comments?

charlie b