I was recently given two pieces of wood from a friend of a friend who had apparently had them both for 20 odd years and always planned on doing something with them. Anyway he heard, through my friend, that I had recently acquired a lathe (my friend is very excited by this and it seems is telling everyone she meets!) and donated them to me through her. This was a lovely gesture that really touched me. So now I have these bits, but I don't know what wood they are or what to do with them.
The first I think is Eucalyptus maybe? The bark is quite flaky and not as black as it appears in the first photo, it's quite reddish brown like in the second pic. I think I'll whittle something from this rather than turn it, but I'm not sure what its shape lends itself to. Any suggestions?
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3129_zpsa0940cf2.jpg)
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3132_zps2b55e356.jpg)
The second piece is really quite lovely, obviously it's spalted something, but I'm afraid my wood ID skills are quite lacking!![Frown :( :(](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3123_zps01021e87.jpg)
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3126_zps6fd55b1b.jpg)
the £1 is there just for scale. This is definitely going to get turned. I think I'll try making it into a trinket box for my wife. I will however wait a LONG time before I attempt this!! My skills need building first before I ruin such a nice piece of wood. It's covered in wax, does this matter for anything?
Sorry for all the questions,
Jim
The first I think is Eucalyptus maybe? The bark is quite flaky and not as black as it appears in the first photo, it's quite reddish brown like in the second pic. I think I'll whittle something from this rather than turn it, but I'm not sure what its shape lends itself to. Any suggestions?
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3129_zpsa0940cf2.jpg)
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3132_zps2b55e356.jpg)
The second piece is really quite lovely, obviously it's spalted something, but I'm afraid my wood ID skills are quite lacking!
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3123_zps01021e87.jpg)
![](http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae108/james_hennessey1/IMAG3126_zps6fd55b1b.jpg)
the £1 is there just for scale. This is definitely going to get turned. I think I'll try making it into a trinket box for my wife. I will however wait a LONG time before I attempt this!! My skills need building first before I ruin such a nice piece of wood. It's covered in wax, does this matter for anything?
Sorry for all the questions,
Jim