The Different Types of Wood I Use and Why

When woodturning, the wood that I use is crucial to the success and beauty of each piece.

So I figured it might be worthwhile sharing the different types of wood I (generally) use in my projects and why I choose them.

From the density and grain pattern, to the natural colour and smell - each species of wood brings its own unique qualities to the table when it comes to woodturning.

Let's dive into the wonderful world of wood!

One of the timber yards I buy wood from: Scottish Wood, Fife.

Woodturning with oak

I am a big fan of working with oak. It's very strong and stable - making it great for all kinds of pieces.

Oak can be a dense wood that, with the right technique, can prove to be a pleasure to turn. Ensuring the gouges I turn with have a nice sharp edge is very important - as the wood’s open grain can be prone to tear out.

Depending on the growth of the tree the wood came from - you can find a good amount of oak with relatively straight grain, which makes it suitable for a wide range of turned products.

In most instances, I will use oak for smaller items such as wooden bud vases.

An oak bud vase

As well as larger pieces like wooden bowls and plates.

Due to oak being a native hardwood to the UK, we are lucky to be able to find it in almost all areas of the country. So it can be a relatively affordable hardwood to work with compared to other timber.

It’s also a nice smelling wood. Always a bonus.

Woodturning with bog oak

Bog oak is a unique and highly sought-after type of wood when it comes to woodturning - mainly down to the age of the timber and preservation process.

Essentially bog oak has been buried in peat bogs for thousands of years. The peat, reacting with the tannins in oak, preserves the wood.

Over time the timber develops a dark, rich colour. This leads to a unique and interesting look - that is distinctly different from regular oak.

It can prove to be a very dusty wood to turn, leaving the workshop looking like it’s covered in coal dust - but it’s worth it.

A bog oak bowl I turned - the wood was around 5,000 years old

The age of bog oak also makes it a highly sought-after material. Not only are suitable pieces a rare find, but the weight of the historical value makes for one-of-a-kind, gorgeous pieces.

The unique character of bog oak is something that is hard to replicate and makes it stand out among other woods.

Woodturning with spalted beech

Spalted beech is a great choice for woodturning because it is versatile and easy to work with.

It has a nice texture and colour, and the spalting pattern makes each piece truly unique.

I don't have the science to back it up, but I like to assume spalting patterns are like fingerprints - no two the same.

But what is spalting? It occurs due to fungi and bacteria that break down the cellulose in the wood.

The dark lines and patterns in the wood are the differing fungus factions setting their boundaries. Making sure competing fungi does not enter their territory.

The bonus for us humans is that these fungal country lines add character to a piece and make it stand out.

Sometimes, the spalting process can lead to softer bits of the wood which can be a challenge to turn.

This can make the tinder a bit more difficult to work with, but with proper technique and sharp tools, the results can be both beautiful and truly unique.

An example of a spalted beech bowl I turned.

With spalted beech, you can create a wide range of items, from small decorative items to large bowls and platters.

Beech is a native hardwood to the UK, making it easy to find. However, spalted beech can be harder for a woodturner to get their hands on - which leads to it demanding a higher price.

However, spalted beech is a great wood - which results in unique and visually interesting pieces.

Woodturning With Sycamore

I find sycamore to be a fantastic wood for turning. As a native UK hardwood, it's very durable and strong.

Generally, I’ve found it to be a stable timber - unlike some other woods that can easily warp or twist when in storage.

So far I’ve used sycamore when wanting to create something lighter in colour and tone. It has been a great wood for bowls and wooden trays.

A sycamore pot

The very pale colouring of sycamore gives it a minimalistic and understated look. This makes it a versatile choice for fitting in with modern decor styles.

More often than not the grain pattern of sycamore will be relatively straight - making it predictable strong and attractive in appearance.

Woodturning with ash

Ash is another British hardwood stalwart that I enjoy working with.

It’s a great timber for woodturning because of its natural strength and straight-grained structure.

Ash has a good level of density - that lends itself to a wide variety of turning projects. Namely bowls, platters, and vases.

Thanks to ash’s straight grain it has a lot of shock resistance. Something which is lends itself to products that receive frequent handling or external stresses.

It is another wood that I like to turn to when looking for a lighter colourv palette.

It has a warm colour that takes both wax and oil well - which enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

A simple ash bowl

Unfortunately, much of the ash in the UK is facing a serious threat from a disease called Ash dieback.

The disease is caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea, which attacks the leaves, branches, and eventually the trunk of the tree.

The fungus grows inside the tree until it eventually blocks the water transport system - ultimately leading to the infected tree’s death.

For this reason, I do my best to try and source any ash from sustainable and well-managed forests. In a bid to help preserve the species. Alternatively, ash that had to be felled due to the tree or trees around already having been infected.