Crepe Myrtle

[wndopdlr]

I socred some crepe myrtle today but have never turned it. Most of the pieces are 6-7", but a couple may be big enough to make a small bowl.

Anybody in the community ever turned it, and if so, what does it look like?

 

[Mike Davis]

It will split

 

[Linc H]

Very hard white wood, looks like bone. yep, it will split

 

[awldune]

It does check a bit, but you should be able to make things like tool handles from it. The grain is a bit coarse and stringy and I would not particularly choose it. On the other hand if you constantly have prunings lying around...

 

[rivens]

Crepe Myrtle turns nice when it is moist. I did some prototype spindles with it to test out profiles.. As far as looks I carved a spoon that looked not bad. Nice to carve.

 

[SabertoothBunny]

I have, soft like pine but less splintery. Easy to turn, very light colored wood. Sanding, I will not start sanding below 180-220 because it tears through the wood pretty fast.

 

[Bill_L]

My son turned a piece that I use for a pen holder on my desk.