Arcos,
I've just re-read a couple of the posts in this thread and realised that you'd said;
'I have just taken a large section of plum that I have drying at the moment and hope will be turnable in a few months'
I find fruitwoods (apple, Pear Plum) grow with a twist, for some reason cherry doesn't. This means that as they dry they can sometimes crack around the length in a slow spiral. Now I don't know about the Plum you have maybe growing in a warmer clime precludes this but it may be worthwhile keeping an eye on it or more likely part turning while green it and allowing it to dry like that before finishing.
Just a thought, I'd hate for you to loose all your plum due to not knowing this could happen.
Thank you and a very good point that, no, I didn't know!
I will perhaps take a piece and rough turn it and see what happens.
One of the woods I have here in abundance is Eucalyptus. I have turned a few small practice pieces using this and, although quite plain (very little graining visible) it produces an 'off white' piece and actually looks good for its 'simplicity'
The BIG problem is that, as Eucalyptus grows it twists, its very visible in even the smallest of trees. Any attempt to dry anything over 3" - 4" round results in it splitting horrendously, hence only ever being able to turn very small pieces.
I would love to try and turn a nice bowl but I just don't know how to stop it splitting.
