monkey puzzle

[Woodmonkey]

I've got some monkey puzzle logs I'm going to have a go at. Thing is all the bowls I've made so far have been with the grain perpendicular to the lathe bed. These logs will need to be turned end grain- can I do this with a normal bowl gouge?

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Yes a bowl gouge will be fine, the sharper the better, monkey puzzle does not turn particularly well IMO

Regards Mick

 

[Woodmonkey]

you mean its not nice to turn, or it doesn't look nice? There's some quite striking examples if you do a bit of googling, like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67072953@N02/6107474074/

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

No it can look stunning...the trouble is its often positively riddled with sap and the sticky stuff ends up coating everything so beware!!

 

[Woodmonkey]

yep I got it all over my hands just de-barking it earlier on. smells quite bad too!

 

[Spindle]

Hi

It looks great, especially if you get the radial branch knots well positioned in the bowl but the wood is very variable in texture between the knots and the main body - the main body is quite open grained and I found it tore very easily unless the tool was freshly sharpened.

Regards Mick

 

[cedarwood]

+1 on the above tools need to be very sharp or the grain will tear.

 

[duncanh]

I turned it once very soon after felling and it was bloody awful! One of the least enjoyable things that I've turned (not quite as unpleasant as banksia!). There was sticky sap everywhere, gumming up my hands and tools and the scales/bark are sharp and unpleasant. I have a few more lumps sitting in the garden waiting for me to feel brave/stupid enough to tackle them...

 

[Vic Perrin]

Hi, I have turned a lot of Monkey Puzzle and have ended up with some really nice pieces. As already suggested keep your tools sharp and don't take excessive cuts the knots/ branch wood can be very hard

Cheers

Vic

 

[EnErY]

I agree with vic But its A bit of a pig getting Thro All the Gunk That Comes with It is it a green log or has it been seasoned?
regards
Bill

 

[Woodmonkey]

It's green