Optimal Blank Moisture Content?

[Dean]

A question for those woodturners in the know...

Is there an optimal moisture content % for woodturning? or does it differ widely between species? or does it matter at all?

I know you can turn 'green' etc but what about for seasoned blanks?

Also I bought an el-cheapo bowl blank from a local supplier. I discovered it was a eucalypt species as soon as I started turning the thing! The scent quickly filled the workshop. Is eucalypt usually a difficult wood to turn or do my tools need sharpening? (I suspect the latter is the case :) )

Thanks for any advice.

[Baz]

Dean, I don't know what the optimum moisture content should be. I rough turn my burls green and leave them under the house for about 5 months before finishing them.I have found that Red Gum burl moves a lot, Mallee burl is not too bad and Coolibah burl is very stable.

Your Eucalyptus blank could be anything, there are hundreds of Eucalyptus. Some are very hard and some are ordinary, however regardless of what you are turning your tools will need to be sharp.
Cheers
Barry