The Things You Learn.

I'm reading David Ellsworth's, "Woodturning" as a way back in after a long hiatus, what with having the kids, building a house, and moving across the country over the past few years.

Here's a few things I didn't know. First, seasoned turners like spalted wood because it won't distort that much. As it spalts, (or begins to rot) much of the tension is removed so it won't move on you.

Second, spalted wood is wicked hard on sharpened tool edges. Because it's not wood any more; it's now a carbonized, iron-based composition.

Third, no one knows for sure if working with the spores is dangerous to your lungs. It's still up in the air, so err on the side of caution.

And fourth, you can start any piece spalting (like, say, if you wanted to design around a patch, for instance) by taping a few spalted shavings to the area you want to change, and wrapping it in plastic. Obviously, you have to wait a bit then, for Nature to do her thing.

And all this time I thought people liked turning it for it's outstanding design patterns. The things you learn. Thanks, David.