gog64":aie5hzsl said:
…. the sanding was a real chore on this wood.
Be careful to not generate surface heat, yew will rapidly form micro surface cracks if friction heated, particularly on the endgrain.
Abrasive should cut without any significant pressure, if you can't see a stream of dust leaving the wood with the lightest of pressures the abrasive is not optimum sharp.
Net Abrasives are a real boon with heat sensitive woods such as Yew as any heat generation is immediately felt by the fingers as the dust exits.
Always be prepared to sand with the lathe stationary, (with all wood not just Yew) aim to
sand with the grain where possible* and as required in curly grain areas.
* Any micro scratches left will be disguised by the grain structure.