Red Mallee

[Ed Reiss]

Hi All....

I have a piece of Red Mallee burl just itching to be turned into a bowl. It was a bit expensive $$$$$ so I don't want to ruin it!!

Have not turned Red Mallee before and would like to get some advice on turning characteristics and the best finish (I normally use tung oil for other woods) to use.

Thanks & G'day!

[Pat]

Red Mallee, turns like a rock. So sharp tools, light cuts, slow speed until in balance. An oil finish is the better as any wax based get caught in the voids, there will be voids

[Ed Reiss]

Thanks Pat...

I'll just leave the grinder running!!!

appreciate your advice.

[hughie]

Ed,
Dunno how dry your sample is, but I have found that the burl moves around a fair bit after turning. To the point that no matter how smooth I get it...wet slurry sanding etc. It will tend to, eventually arrive at a leather type finish, oiled or other wise.

I don't mind the effect, as it tends to add to the overall look and feel of the piece


Tried to find a pic of one that that went that way. Not the best example of what I am trying get across.

It has the makings of it on the inside

[Ed Reiss]

Thanks Hughie... nice pic of your turning!

It's also been my experience that burls do and will move even years after...I have a Big Leaf Western Maple turning that had baby-butt smooth surfaces, now after 12 years you can feel the ups and downs.

Wood moves, life's too short to worry 'bout it.

Ed

[rsser]

The leather-like end result I've only had with green or greenish RMB. Not with fully dry bits.

The shame with this timber is that it seems to darken more than most with UV exposure, so Ed if you like the colour when it's finished then store the piece in a cupboard!

[Ed Reiss]

The leather-like end result I've only had with green or greenish RMB. Not with fully dry bits.

The shame with this timber is that it seems to darken more than most with UV exposure, so Ed if you like the colour when it's finished then store the piece in a cupboard!

Resser....thanks for heads up about the UV issue, learned something today.

The "cupboard" it is then!

Ed

[munruben]

Seems a shame if you go to all the trouble to make something, you have to hide it away in a cupboard.

[Ed Reiss]

You've got a point there, Munruben.

Well, how's this...install a webcam in the cupboard so that it can be viewed on the computer screen!

Ed

[artme]

I wouldn't mind have problems with a piece of Red Mallee.

[Ed Reiss]

Red Mallee, turns like a rock. So sharp tools, light cuts, slow speed until in balance. An oil finish is the better as any wax based get caught in the voids, there will be voids

Pat...

Finally found the time to prep and start turning the Red Mallee.

Don't mind saying that I was just a bit skeptical about the burl being like a rock...well, I'm no longer skeptical

Simply facing off the top damn near kicked my butt! Using a 5/8th's bowl gouge that I know is sharp yielded almost zero curl....mostly small bits and dust.

This piece is definitely not green by any stretch of the imagination.

Any'hoo...here's a couple of pics with progressso far. I'm gonna go lie down for a while now!

Cheers,

Ed

[Pat]

Ed, welcome to the world of the Australian boofhead turner, who can get burls like that easier than anything else. Slooowwww speed, a very light touch and a good dust mask is what is required + no brains

I once turned a 12" Jarrah Burl blank into a bowl, I ended up calling it "Fear & Loathing". It still weighed a fair bit when it decided it was finished.

[Ed Reiss]

Hmmmmmmmmm....wonder if dynamite would help!??

Pat...Good lookin' bowl that'

[rsser]

The stuff is nice to turn green but unlike other species of burl will dry slightly oval in my experience.

[joe greiner]

You've got a point there, Munruben.

Well, how's this...install a webcam in the cupboard so that it can be viewed on the computer screen!

Ed

Nooooo! Is there no shade at all in your house? Or can't you just move it once in a while? All wood seems to age, cherry in particular; if desired, darkening can be accelerated with lye.

Joe