New Variety......Catalpa

[smitty0312]

Just got back from the saw mill today........came across some wood called "Catalpa".......I bought 1 board to try.......beautiful grain in it.......light in density vs oak........same price as oak..........was told it doesn't stain well.........it should be very easy to cut......has anybody else cut any of this.......anxious to here replies.....Thanks as always.

Edited January 15, 2016 by smitty0312

[fredfret]

I've used it for carving when I was a Kid. Not a normal lumber yard find. It should cut very easy. Not usre about holding fine detail. It is much like oak to finish (needs a filler)

Fredfret

Wichita

[LarryEA]

It's very pretty wood. Show us a piece after you finish a piece you made....

I just think the grain will pop with a finish on it.

Edited January 15, 2016 by LarryEA

[Scrolling Steve]

Not familiar with the wood, but very nice grain, should look nice !

[ike]

We have plenty of this wood around my area. a large Caterpillar appears on it in July or august and catfish just love them. my brother in law has used it and it finishes well a very beautiful wood.

[ike]

when i was a kid (late 50's) me and my buddy would collect the caterpillars for a bate shop along the river. we supplied them about 500 a week as long as the worms lasted, about 11/2 weeks. we laid several sheets on the ground around the tree trunk and then hit it with a sledge hammer and down came the worms. do it a couple times and you had the 500  caterpillars. we got 1 cent each, we lived about 20 miles from the Ohio river and he came to pick them up.

[Dan]

Yes lots of catalpa up here. We had two in our yard. Beautiful large flowers in late spring. The wood is very soft and will dent easily. The grain on your board is very nice. I can't wait to see what you turn it into. 

[bandaideman]

Is it soft as pine? Maybe a sanding sealer will help with the stain if you use that route. But will be interesting to see how it turns out.

[JustLarry]

Also known as Catawba or Fish Bait Tree.  I have used it.  Scrolls nicely.  However, about 45 minutes into cutting I developed a burning sensation under my wrist watch and a little later removed watch and had some nice blistering started and red itchy hands.  Did have resperiator on.  Wound up the oil in the wood and me do not mix.  I some reading up on the wood and found that many people are alergic to it.  I finished the project with rubber gloves and long sleeves.  Also had on some flip flops instead of real shoes - saw dust did same thing to feet.

 

This link gives some good information and does show pore-filling is necessary for a smooth finish.  http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/catalpa/

 

Do a search for fish bait tree.

 

Larry

[amazingkevin]

Just got back from the saw mill today........came across some wood called "Catalpa".......I bought 1 board to try.......beautiful grain in it.......light in density vs oak........same price as oak..........was told it doesn't stain well.........it should be very easy to cut......has anybody else cut any of this.......anxious to here replies.....Thanks as always.

Not a day goes by with out learning something useful,in the village ,Love it!

[amazingkevin]

when i was a kid (late 50's) me and my buddy would collect the caterpillars for a bate shop along the river. we supplied them about 500 a week as long as the worms lasted, about 11/2 weeks. we laid several sheets on the ground around the tree trunk and then hit it with a sledge hammer and down came the worms. do it a couple times and you had the 500  caterpillars. we got 1 cent each, we lived about 20 miles from the Ohio river and he came to pick them up.

Interesting Ike! thanks!