Woodturning- spalted white Birch

This piece turned out much prettier than I thought it would. First off I didn’t know it was spalted when I took it into the shop. It was cracked on the end so I figured I should turn it soon. I cut off one end before I cut it in half to get rid of the cracks. That’s when I saw how spalted it was. I was now hoping it was not rotten in the middle. I was pleasantly surprised that it was still pretty solid. The more I worked this piece the better it looked. I do believe this is the best example of spalted wood I’ve personally ever turned. I consider myself fortunate that I trim and remove trees for a living. That gives me a lot of chances to find unusual wood to turn. ( for those who may dislike me for removing trees, please keep in mind that I have planted more than 30,000 trees in my time) Well thank you for watching, I hope you like the video.
Please keep in mind I am not a professional. I use my own techniques and they may not be safe. Read and understand all tool instructions before using any power tools.

[@carsonwells1785]

Beautiful result, but don't be afraid to talk to us. We only take little bites. You might know something we need to know, or even vice versa, but in silence, we all continue in our relative ignorance. But thank you for sharing your time and that beautiful vessel with us.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Carlson. Very kind of you. I’m working on the talking. Thank you for your comment.

[@dianeclemmer1344]

Wow,,, nice color ❤️ Beautiful

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Diane.

[@jamesramsey9507]

That's a two thumbs up !!!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you James. Appreciate the 2 thumbs up.

[@JOHNSmith-pn6fj]

Very Cool Hollow Form. Some great character will the spalting and grains and colors.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you John, appreciate you watching my videos.

[@DougWyman]

Stunning

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Doug. Very kind of you

[@lindagoldberg2325]

Gorgeous wood.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Linda. It is indeed a gorgeous wood with spectacular grain and spalting. I have another birch piece that was from the same log, it too turned out beautifully. I just oriented the grain in a different direction. It’s one of my other videos. Thank you for watching.

[@philomenahearn1717]

What an absolutely beautiful and natural bowl. Love the shape and love the grain patterns. 💕

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate you watching my videos

[@Duke4ever188]

The spalting adds so much character, great work sir👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏺

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Jose, it sure turned out beautifully. If you want to see the other half of that same piece of wood turn end grain. Look at my videos listed as “woodturning spalted burch” now you get end grain verses verses side grain on the same piece and of wood. A great comparison. Thank you so much for watching my videos and you very kind comments.

[@Duke4ever188]

@@darrenswoodworks8695 Thank you Darren. I’ll definitely go check it out. 👍🏻

[@hayesrutherford9415]

Turned out well. Birch is something I have locally and I need to persuade some of it to salt.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you. It doesn’t take long to spalt. In fact it seems to spalt very quickly here. Just leave it on the ground for a few months and it’s ready to go.

[@toddneros1209]

Salted white birch. Turned out to bee a beautiful piece of wood!!! Chalk up a-nother one, for Mr. Agnew!!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Todd

[@straubdavid9]

One word .....Beautiful👍🏻✌🏻

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you David

[@afoxgloveshandiwork]

What a stunning bowl, beautiful! Thanks for filming and sharing.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you very much.

[@ejr3331]

Wow, it reminds me of an ancient Japanese work of art 🎉❤

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

That’s awesome. Thanks again EJR

[@marcplon4396]

J'adore le bois "échauffé" il y a toujours de beaux motifs!! Très beau travail !!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Marc, appreciate you watching my videos.

[@jkurbanski6475]

Sweet

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Very much. Appreciate the comment

[@billm4560]

That turned out awesome Darren! 👍🏻 I really like the grain too! Got me to subscribe! Thank you for sharing!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Bill, appreciate the subscribe and watching my videos.

[@stevefromlondon9175]

Out standing looking bowl thank you for sharing your skill Regards Steve UK London

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Steve from London. Awesome to speak to you so far away.

[@stevefromlondon9175]

@@darrenswoodworks8695 Hi it’s just a few clicks on the laptop and I’m there 👍👍👍

[@tonyprofera9914]

Well done! That truly turned out beautiful! I love the shape this took! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Tony, I appreciate very much you taking the time to watch my videos.

[@DancingFox6]

It looks as though the grain goes one direction and the spalting goes another. Fascinating to look at.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

I went back and took a look to see what you were talking about. I looked very closely and it finally hit me. The growth rings travel in the apposite direction. Great observation. I didn’t even notice it until you pointed it out. Thank you for watching my videos

[@Olga-65.]

Какая красота! Даже не верится, что была обычная берёзовая чурка! Спасибо мастеру, сумевшему вскрыть всю прелесть природной красоты и изящества.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you very much for your kind words. Thank you for watching my videos

[@josephcraft2845]

Beautiful wood. I’ve never seen a piece quite like that

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Joseph, thanks for watching my videos

[@stanhutchins6592]

Absolutely beautiful

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Stan

[@stevekrupa6209]

Very nice! Beautiful wood!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Steve

[@keithfreeman2139]

That's really great. I love it.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Keith

[@user-qv9lj8jn2b]

The result is wonderful 👏

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you, I appreciate you watching my videos

[@milanradak269]

Pretty wood and excellent shape. Thanks for the video

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Milan.

[@Vet6970]

Beautiful love the color of the wood

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Bob, that color is a winner

[@oneturnatatime6309]

Wow! That bowl looks amazingly beautiful. Nicely done 👍

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Jojo, you do some nice work.

[@gdreclaimed5442]

That's just awesome!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you. It was a cool piece of wood.

[@johnnuttall1965]

There's a lot going on in that beautiful grain. thanks

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you John.

[@wesleyehowell]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Wes

[@drferry]

Very nice! Beautiful piece of wood!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Anduril.

[@TheShorebird]

Wow! Crazy wood grain pattern on that! Very nice.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Shorebird

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Looks great did a nice job 👍

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you, it was fun to turn

[@user-up7tz5me2d]

Красивая структура древесины, отличный мастер! 5+

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you

[@coswood3454]

Cool bowl 👌!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Coswood. I appreciate you watching my videos

[@janesmith6513]

Beautiful wood which you crafted perfectly!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Jane.

[@timponder7487]

Beautiful bowl great work Darren

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Tim. We appreciate you watching my videos

[@turnedbysean2023]

Nice looking piece 👍

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Sean. Appreciate you watching my videos

[@cjphillips6648]

Bought mine in January, PM2020!😊 very happy with it..

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

It’s a great lathe. Yours is newer with a few upgrades. Happy turning

[@bapi6643]

Marvelous

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Dennis

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Looks good.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Brad

[@hallur7523]

Very nice! resembles a coconut 🥥 😁

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Hallur. It does resemble a coconut.

[@bronwynsearle2117]

Wow 😳 that's cool 😎

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Bronwyn.

[@silvanobroccardo933]

Un bel capolavoro beautiful complimenti grande bravissimo Silvano di Schio Italia

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Silvano

[@richardhavercroft7065]

Wow

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Richard

[@markthompson6860]

looked ok to me well done

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Mark.

[@AuralAntithesis]

that is really cool. i just picked up some birch from a neighbor that downed a tree. the middle already has some cool coloration too it but i should leave some out to get spalted. that hollow form is really cool looking! thanks for posting.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you, I appreciate you watching my videos. Good luck to you on your birch, it can be really beautiful.

[@honzazenisek2816]

Super práce 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you

[@terrythornton1549]

I am turning spalted birch at the moment but having difficulty with the hardening. I find it very difficult to sand after adding the hardener. The sandpaper clogs up. Great bowl.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Terry, I too have had a lot of problems with clogged paper. I’ve been tempted to try abranet sanding mess. I hear it’s better and easier to clean the clogs. Just blow air through the screen.

[@terrythornton1549]

@@darrenswoodworks8695 I am doing a bit better using super glue as hardener, but it takes a lot of glue.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

I sometimes use shellac to harden the wood and sand it down. Also sanding sealer. Cut both with a thinner about 50 percent to get it to soak in better

[@sandraanderson217]

Nice piece! Beautiful wood! But PLEASE!!! Safety first!!! That large rag you used is so dangerous! It just takes once to catch and hurt you! Stay safe! Happy turning!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Sandra. Appreciate the reminder to stay safe

[@cjphillips6648]

Nice lathe!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you CJ, I’ve been very happy with it for about 10 years.

[@Sourena291]

perfect

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you, though I don’t thinks it’s perfect, I do appreciate your kindness.

[@gaetanogravinese1076]

stupendo

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Gaetano. Appreciate you watching my videos

[@gaetanogravinese1076]

@@darrenswoodworks8695 Ciao di nuovo complimenti.

[@clockmakerify]

Дуже красиво, виглядає як мармур.

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you for watching my videos

[@garthkeck2003]

Beautiful job. Dont you just love spalted birch?

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

It’s becoming one of my favorites

[@libertygiveme1987]

🤔Looks like something Jesus used when He "Walked the Earth!" JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you

[@jeffreyreed5299]

🖖

[@ejr3331]

Spalted white birch is my favourite. Is it caused by a fungi as I think?

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you EJR and yes, the fungi is the reason for the spalting. For that reason it is very important to wear a mask or breathing apparatus. You don’t want that fungi in your lungs. Thank you for watching

[@chrisjohnston2449]

Did anyone else see the face of an owl at the 10:48 mark of the video?

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you Chris, you are the first, though I have seen a cat, an alien and a spooky looking rabbit. You are the first Alien. Thank you again and for the fun way to look at at it.

[@jamesramsey9507]

I Love birch , is that piece for sale ?

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Thank you James, I really appreciate hearing that. It may be for sale someday, but for now I have it on a special shelf. I have it’s brother piece sitting next to it. They were very cool pieces of wood. They both turned out well. One end grain one side grain. I’m just not ready to let them go. When that day comes I’ll let you know. It’s always been that I need something better to replace what I’m letting go of to force me to do that. Thank you again.

[@jamesramsey9507]

@@darrenswoodworks8695 thanx anyway bud I make custom damascus knives and until I make a second one I dont wanna let go lol

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

At least you know how I feel. But you didn’t mention knives. Might be something to trade for 😁

[@jamesramsey9507]

@@darrenswoodworks8695 , Oh yeah I make all kinds and custom leather work too give me a shout I LOVE YOUR WORK would Love to have a piece of your art . That shroom was really kool too btw

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

@@jamesramsey9507 hahah. That shroom is pretty cool. My wife and I have it on the table now. She said mushrooms were the rage. I said they are coming back. It’s a cool little project. I’d consider a trade

[@armus550b]

No way on earth is wear a ring around something spinning like that. Ring avulsion is no joke

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

I was waiting for your comment. I totally agree. I need to get a silicone ring for work. I quit wearing a ring years ago because I almost lost a finger on account of my ring. That was my first marriage. I’m remarried and I didn’t want to loose it by taking it off when I’m working.

[@jedtaylor3551]

No like..........no subscribe........to anyone who cuts a green blank for the "rubes" to wonder at not telling them he is wasting their time go put it inside in the low humidity of your home and then bring it back out for a lesson in fluid extraction for Christ's sake......put it in the oven if you have to have stock for content and explain why subscriptions from people who don;t even know you are basically throwing that piece into the trash as soon as the vid wraps are nothing for no one (that's you) finally decided to go the final step and dislike you just tell them or at least hint that you prepared the blank

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Jed, I’m sorry you are not happy about my project. I’m not sure of the problem? I didn’t need a humidifier, and it turned out great. I have the project in my house and it’s looks fantastic. I also have another piece of that same wood for another project. Thank you for watching.