Help: Working with Spalted Wood
Learn how to use this unique material to its best advantage
There is a misconception among many woodworkers that working with spalted wood is particularly dangerous. Most fungal spores are about as harmful to a healthy adult as wood dust, so if you sand spalted wood, wear a mask. However, people with immune system disorders should not work with spalted wood.
Because areas of heavy white rot are likely to be softer than regular wood, when handplaning, use a low-angle blade to slice through the wood.
Turning is a great way to display spalted wood. You can turn dried blanks, but green wood has a more consistent density. When turning, pockets of rot can cause dig-ins and uneven sanding in the final product. If areas of the wood are spongy, or if there are small splotches of white throughout the piece, you might want to stabilize those areas with a two-part, five-minute epoxy resin or cyanoacrylate glue.
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