I have a project coming up with eucalyptus. Stair treads, risers, skirts and ballustrade. Also some rather involved book shelves. I’ve never worked with this wood. From what I understand after a look in the archives there are many types. I saw red and blue gum mentioned as two kinds that are used most often also that lumber should be quarter sawn.
Is one species more desireable? Is it difficult to work with? Any special precautions I should take (dust toxic, eats saw blades)? Glue recomendations? Where does it rank on the hardness scale? Is it prone to splitting?
As you can see my educational needs regarding eucalyptus are many, so many in fact that I’m not sure I know all the questions to ask. Thanks for any help you can give me.
woodtick
Replies
If you haven't done so, you should pose this question on Knots, also. They may have a better handle on it.
Some species of eucalyptus twist and split horrible. And dry so hard that chainsaws need to be resharpened markedly more often. But different species of eucalyptus vary as much as, say conifers - Sitka spruce versus SYP versus redwood versus bristlecone pine. Koalas have them figured out (they eat different species at different times of year to avoid toxins) but I don't.
They common ones in California make decent firewood IF you cut it green, let it dry, and burn with lots of excess air or a good catalytic.
Maybe a speciality hardwood supplier could give you more info.
Just laid (3 months ago) a floor with the stuff.
Whoaa! really great! The pink goes away with stain/finish.
Tooling was fine, we did find though that it was very stringy and a block plane to the edge was very ragged.
I'll try to post a photo, (don't wait up)
Have Fun, It ain't screwed up till you can't fix it.
As far as I know, Blue Gum is (or was) used mainly for structural purposes (framing, bridges etc) as it dries relatively quickly and is very strong for its weight. Red Gum is mainly used for display timber. It dries very slowly and is dense and heavy, though almost immune to rot.
Try this website:
http://www.tastimber.tas.gov.au
Its principally a promo site for Tasmanian timber, but has good links and advice.
Be warned though; When you see a would described as 'Tasmanian Oak' or 'Mountain Ash', they are reffering to various species of Eucalypts.
Best of Luck.