questions regarding walnut

[whosinpower]

I have a project in mind....and part of it involves walnut. However, I have not worked with walnut before.

Is there any helpful advice anyone can give me? Power tools only? Is is very difficult to work with? Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Colin-Partridge]

Walnut is probably my favorite wood to work with. Hard yes but takes increadible detail. My advise keep the chisels sharp and you will have not problem at all.
Colin

[dutchmanmk3]

A Few Questions first.

1. What type of project ?

2. What type of Walnut ?

3. Is this from wild stock or orchard salvage ?

4. Moisture content ?

5. What type finish ?

Other than that. Walnut is generally a dream to work with, and usually holds crisp detail.

[squbrigg]

The Walnut I've worked was a bit harder than Butternut (also called Light Walnut), about on par with the medium density Mahogany. A pleasure to carve it, edged tools or power, takes a great finish, holds detail well. I suppose it depends on what you want to carve, but I think it would do well in just about any situation. I use a fair amount on my ship models for small detailed stuff too.

Bob

[whosinpower]

After all the questions (and good ones too) of Dutchmanmk3 - I'm rethinking my idea....I just wanted to use walnut for the color, richness and finish.....now all those questions.....geez - I dunno.

[dutchmanmk3]

Originally Posted by whosinpower

After all the questions (and good ones too) of Dutchmanmk3 - I'm rethinking my idea....I just wanted to use walnut for the color, richness and finish.....now all those questions.....geez - I dunno.

For Carving purposes, plain old black walnut is just fine.

Some Turkish Walnut is harder than the Hubs of Hades.

Orchard stock tends to be over watered W/large open grain(even pithy in some cases) making it a chore to fill and finish. California Claro tends to be expensive, and highly over rated. Butternut, and Black Walnut seem to exhibit the best qualities for general carving.

Most of my finer walnut is well in excess of $38.00 a bdft. on up. Yet I can still purchase PA. Black Walnut for $2.00 bdft. Savvy ? Wink

Too Fine a figure will just overshadow, and make light of your workmanship anyway.

[Ashbys]

Not sure what you might have decided, but walnut is an incredable wood, it can be a bit hard but use the 50/50 spray mist on it and don't expect to cut deep. The results will make you happy you used it.

Ash