Thread: Huon pine

G'day Allan

Huon Pine loves dirt so it generally doesn't make very practical pens. It will discolour and look pretty ordinary very quickly. You must be careful when sanding as it will discolour if you use wet and dry abrasive and will readily go a gray-black if you happen to sand part of the mandrel.

If you exercise extreme care in the sanding and are prepared to use a plastic finish then you may do alright. Don't use Shellawax and complain that the wood has discloured the first time it is used on a hot humid day.

Cheers - Neil

Coming from Tassie I have turned a fair bit of Huon Pine. I would not make it into pens. There are other woods that make far better pens, both in looks and durability. Why not try a goblet or chalice. These can be turned in almost any size and Huon Pine looks superb when used for these.

Thanks for that Rod and Neil,

The guy that gave me the pine wants a pen from it so I will check with him to see if he wouldn't like it from another type of wood. (Of course telling him the potential drawbacks.)

Failing that I will just follow yor advice (or the parts applicable ) and see what I can do for him.
For mine, I reckon the pen he wants would look brilliant made of York gum.


regards,

Allen

I treat Huon Pine like gold - precious. People have been ripping it from its home for 200 years - it does not grow natually anywhere else but in Tasmaia - it's very very very slow growing - and it should now be treated with the highest respect - God knows its given of it self in mans uses for years give it a break. I know most of it is sourced from submerged logs and the odd one that falls over, I know also that because of its market value poaches are in operation along the remote Tasmanian West Coast. Now I know the bloke only wants to turn a pen and it sounds like Huon isn't the wood to use anyway but please always remember Huon has given alot and if your going to make something from it make it good.

Harry

Hi Harry,

Thanks for your comments and concern
To me all wood is like gold.

The reason I wished to know about the ins and outs of turning Huon Pine is the bloke who gave it to me (two small leftover pieces that he is unable to use in his furniture business) said that I may have the wood on the condition he could have a pen to his design from it. Which he wishes to use when doing estimates etc for his clients.

I agreed, and have no intention of turning any of it until I am sure that I will produce a pen he will be proud to show to his clients.

The pieces are two small for me to utilise in any other manner.


regards,


Allen