Silver birch and Poplar?

[Alie Barnes]

Silver birch and poplar turnable? i cut some down friday and I've kept a large log of both but i'm not sure how turnable it is.

Anyone have any experience of either?

Thanks

 

[Russell]

Silver birch is nice I find poplar a little big raggy and I didn't like it but I have seen some nice things made from it.

 

[jasonB]

Silever birch is nice especially as it spalts quite easily like this and the small bud clusters, burrs and ingrowing bark can beinteresting

Not tried native poplar

Jason

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Alie.
I was given this some time back,didn't know what it was then but it has now been ID,d as very old Poplar.
click on piccy.
And made this from it.Turned quite alright
click on piccy.
Paul.J.

 

[Paul.J]

Some nice pieces there JasonB
Paul.J.

 

[PowerTool]

Silver birch is nice (I have several trees-worth drying at the moment 8) )
My experience of poplar is the same as Russell - it's very "wooly" when turning,quite soft,and probably takes longer to finish than to turn; you can get a very nice finish,but you have to work for it :wink:

Andrew