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Author Topic: spalted maple?  (Read 4518 times)

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Offline osage outlaw

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spalted maple?
« on: February 02, 2017, 05:13:36 pm »
Today at work I started to remove some large chunks of wood off of a mulch BioBed that we just replaced.  They looked bad on top of the mulch and we have a tour coming through tomorrow.  I grabbed the biggest piece and tossed it in the golf cart.  That's when I noticed it was spalted.  The chunk is 14"-16" across and about the same in length.  I cut both ends off to get a better look.  I don't know what type of tree its from.  Maybe Maple??   I think its solid enough for knife handles.  I'm not sure if it would work for turning on a lathe. 

If I was to cut this into knife scale blanks what would be the best way to make the cuts to get the best looking pieces?



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Offline ---GUTSHOT--->

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2017, 06:18:52 pm »
I'm no help to you but I think it would make some purty handles.
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Offline bubby

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2017, 06:38:57 pm »
Clint it is usually crosscut
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Offline EdwardS

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2017, 07:16:47 pm »
I crosscut mine.
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Offline aaron

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2017, 08:49:47 pm »
beware- spalted wood can cause respritory problems if you inhale the dust- wear a good mask and cut outdoors
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Offline selfbow joe

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2017, 09:07:35 pm »
That looks like it would make some nice knife handles
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Offline osage outlaw

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2017, 09:15:27 pm »
Thanks for that tip Aaron.  I didn't know that. 

When I got home tonight I hit it with some spray lacquer and it brought the colors out.  I definitely see some knife scales in there. 




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Offline paulsemp

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2017, 09:28:26 pm »
Mine was from a silver maple. Was very soft and know it wouldn't hold up to a lathe. Makes some cool handle build ups.  Minwax make a wood hardener that helps if you have that problem.
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Offline osage outlaw

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2017, 09:29:44 pm »
That's cool looking Paul.  I hadn't thought about handle lams.
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Offline Outbackbob48

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2017, 10:33:14 pm »
Clint, if to soft and crumbly try some wood stabilizer on your scales. Bob
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Offline chamookman

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2017, 03:06:18 am »
Good save OO - nice stuff ! Bob
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Offline Pappy

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2017, 04:21:30 am »
Yep, save ever piece I see when we are cutting wood, slice it up and put it away to dry. Very nice stuff you got there Clint. :)
 Pappy
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Offline osage outlaw

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2017, 08:14:53 am »
I'm going to try this method of stabilizing the wood.  Seems pretty simple.

https://ww w.youtube.com/watch?v=P9H-ab57UIg
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Offline JEB

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2017, 08:57:46 am »
As mentioned wear a respirator  as I believe the  spalting  is mold. Nasty stuff.
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Offline tattoo dave

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Re: spalted maple?
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2017, 10:17:10 pm »
Great looking piece of wood. Nice find. Lots of knife scales in there!

Tattoo Dave
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