Spalted Maple

You’ve got to stabilize it first.

-- Bondo Gaposis

Use super glue. the thin stuff and soak it good before turning it.

I have turned several spalted wood pens and can say not all spalted wood worth the effort. Definitely need sharp tools and light touch while turning spalted wood. Having said that many people apply CA glue as they turn. I have used CA glue & saw dust to fill chip that fell out while turning.

Spalted wood reaches a point where only way to really turn it is stabilizing it or send it off for stabilization. For more info on stabilizing check out library at: http://www.penturners.org/forum/

They sell wood hardener products have never used due to cost and not sure how affective they are. Think stabilizing better op, but if interested check out Minwax Wood Hardener or stuff called PC Products Wood Repair sold at lot of big box stores.

-- Bill

Here is a rifle cartridge pen I used spalted maple for. Finished with CA. I think it looks pretty nice

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

I think the trick with spalted wood is to only use wood where the spalting process hasn’t got to the stage where the wood is too soft. I have tried using wood that had really soft parts to it and usually regretted it.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

I have a bunch of spalted maple here and i used Wood juice to stabilize it before working it. I stopped trying to turn it and just use it for flatwork and inlay now.

-- Tommy, http://www.followingghost.com