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+-- Thread: How is Poplar for turning? (/showthread.php?tid=7280400)
How is Poplar for turning? - Wild Turkey - 05-09-2016
I'm just getting into turning -- played with my dad's lathe some back in the '60's but now I'm getting serious.
Had some poplar scraps -- 5"x1-1/2" -- and tried face turning them.
Seemed to get a lot of tearout on end grain.
I think my tools are sharp but is such tearout a problem with my tools, my technique or is it just the way poplar is?
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - Herb G - 05-09-2016
It turns well enough for me. Your tools must be dull.
What kind of steel are they made from?
Mine are M2 HSS. I can turn poplar with no problems.
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - DFJarvie - 05-09-2016
Poplar turns pretty good and can have some nice grain patten. I use it for anything I paint like Christmas ornaments and trying out something before I use the expensive wood.
It will tear out but I can clean most of it up with a skew chisel then sandpaper. For any turnings sharp tools are a must.
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - Arlin Eastman - 05-09-2016
Like all woods you will get tear out if you do not use the tools properly or using the bevel as you cut. I like using it for gluing to make other projects and I like using it.
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - Wild Turkey - 05-09-2016
Tools are HSS - looks like time to get my sharpening stuff out and make sure tools are sharp.
Edit to add: big difference between "sorta sharp" and "much sharper"
BIL has a Tormek setup -- I may have to go pay him a visit
Thanks for the help
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - theeviltwinn - 05-09-2016
You better plan on visiting about every hour or so.
Twinn
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - bbrickey - 05-09-2016
Poplar will turn, but you will get quite a bit of tear out. Sharp tools as others have mentioned is necessary. I would also recommend that you 'ride the bevel' as you are cutting. Take light cuts and a very acute angle.
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - Herb G - 05-09-2016
theeviltwinn said:
You better plan on visiting about every hour or so.
Twinn
This^^^^^.
Yeah, you better invest in a Wolverine sharpening system unless you like spending 15 mins sharpening one tool.
Tormek has it's place, just not in my shop.
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - Wild Turkey - 05-09-2016
I got my old Craftsman benchtop 2" belt sander out with a 240 grit belt and things went much better after I sharpened the tools
Re: How is Poplar for turning? - Herb G - 05-10-2016
Wild Turkey said:
I got my old Craftsman benchtop 2" belt sander out with a 240 grit belt and things went much better after I sharpened the tools
{Grimaces...}
