LeeElms
Established Member
Is fig tree wood any good for turning ?
Someone is offering this (for firewood) on my local Freecycle.
Someone is offering this (for firewood) on my local Freecycle.
Fig tree wood
- Thread starter LeeElms
- Start date
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Russell
Established Member
NO idea, give it a go I imagine it would turn similar to olive, carob or orange. So it could be good but it may be liable to splitting.
Bodrighy
Established Member
Hi Lee,
It tends to be very soft and has little figuring. It can distort dramatically if you turn it thin. I haven't seen any large pieces so I don't know what it would be like if you managed to get hold of a big piece. It can distort dramatically if you like that sort of effect
Pete
It tends to be very soft and has little figuring. It can distort dramatically if you turn it thin. I haven't seen any large pieces so I don't know what it would be like if you managed to get hold of a big piece. It can distort dramatically if you like that sort of effect
Pete
LeeElms
Established Member
Thanks for the feedback.
Hans
Established Member
Some months ago one of my neighbours asked if I could help to fell the fig tree in his garden. That is how got some fig logs. The wood seems very light, nearly white. Have not turned anything yet. On last inspection there were no splits.
The botanical name seems to be Ficus carica.
The only woodturning reference I found is of Ficus coronata.
Hans
The botanical name seems to be Ficus carica.
The only woodturning reference I found is of Ficus coronata.
Hans
La Truciolara
Established Member
It is very light, fragile, and does not have nice figures.
I guess that is the only wood I would not even collect , not even for burning. I've turned some and will never do it again.
But that is only my personal taste.
One exception: if you turn poppers (is that the way you call fake fishes that are used for fishing?) that is quie an adequate wood.
I guess that is the only wood I would not even collect , not even for burning. I've turned some and will never do it again.
But that is only my personal taste.
One exception: if you turn poppers (is that the way you call fake fishes that are used for fishing?) that is quie an adequate wood.
tigerturnings
Established Member
I had a few logs when we took down our fig tree (we loved the fruit, it was just a shame that most of the neighbourhood's wasps did too). I'd agree with the consensus that it is very light and has little distinct figure.
My own experience was that it splits rapidly and dramatically; the pieces I had kept as firewood barely needed to be chopped due to this. Seeing this splitting put me off turning any so I can't offer advice or experience in that regard.
My own experience was that it splits rapidly and dramatically; the pieces I had kept as firewood barely needed to be chopped due to this. Seeing this splitting put me off turning any so I can't offer advice or experience in that regard.
