Monkey Puzzle

[gregmcateer]

Dear People,
I have been offered some monkey puzzle that has just been felled.
About 12 inches plus diameter, in VERY HEAVY !!! pieces about 3 feet long.
Can anyone advise as to whether or not it can bear being shortened to more manageable lengths?
Should I rip it down the length, (though obviously this means no vase/hollow form 'in the round' options?
If I seal the ends, any views of how soon I need to use it?
Thanks,
Greg

 

[yorkshirepudding]

Something to bear in mind with this wood is that it contains a LOT of sap which is very, very sticky particularly if you turn it while it's wet. Cover everything...self included.
I have seen some nice pieces, all in the round though so that you can see all the knots to best effect.

 

[andersonec]

This one was cut down some weeks ago, the sections are cut so that there is a substantial piece of wood, 10 inches or so, either side of where the branch whorls are situated, this tree started to turn it's toes up a year ago so it is not as wet as a thriving green tree would be, it has been covered and placed in the shade where no sun can get at it, there is no splitting as yet.
If anyone lives near Grantham and want some, PM me and I will give you directions.

Andy

 

[finneyb]

Dear People,
I have been offered some monkey puzzle that has just been felled.
Should I rip it down the length, (though obviously this means no vase/hollow form 'in the round' options?

Never turned monkey puzzle, but it looks to me like a relative of Norfolk Island Pine.
The classic way to turn NIP is in the round ie DO NOT rip down the length
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... Aw&dur=475



NIP if turned very thin and them soaked in poly finish can become translucent.
Suggest you search the web for turning Norfolk Island Pine -its a popular wood in US and can produce some attractive pieces

Brian

 

[duncanh]

Last summer I turned some within days of it being felled and it was one of the most unpleasant turning experiences that I've had (probably second only to banksia dust!). The sap was awful (very sticky and lots of it) and the sharp spines on the outside were very unpleasant. I've yet to try any of the other pieces that I have but they haven't yet split - they're between 1 and 2feet long stored in the shade of a tree

 

[EnErY]

Ill agree with the fact its a horrible wood to turn and it is number one on my avoidances list but the results can be stunning very hard wood blunts tools quickly and that sap is like superglue
Regards
Bill

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Greg,
If you take the bark off (approx 1" thick) first then most of the stickiest resinous stuff will go with it.

I found that a short sharp jemmy works best but wear some gloves too as those spines can be nasty and the wounds can go septic.

Have fun (well as much as you can) because as others have said it's not the best wood to turn.
HTH
Jon

 

[gregmcateer]

Dear All,
Many thanks for your helpful advice.
I'll give it a go and see what happens...
Cheers
Greg

 

[retreatjohn]

Steve Parker in Florida has lots of help and tips for turning Norfolk Island Pine on his web site,
www.woodturningblanks4u.com
Hope this helps, John

 

[gregmcateer]

Thanks John.
Cheers
Greg