Leopard Wood

[Eugene Dixon]

Anybody ever turn leopard wood? Got some 3"X3"X12" pieces from Penn West for a project but wanted to get some wisdom guidance before putting it between centers.

[John K Jordan]

Anybody ever turn leopard wood? Got some 3"X3"X12" pieces from Penn West for a project but wanted to get some wisdom guidance before putting it between centers.

Yes, I've turned it and didn't notice any about it particularly different than turning other species. It cut cleanly and finished nicely, looks great. What I turned (and still have) is not that big of diameter but 1.5" square, I think. At least for smaller diameters, I think the ray pattern down both sides is more interesting the further the shape gets from a cylinder (i.e., plenty of curves. Since the wood itself has a lot of visual detail I kept the turned detail to a minimum.

JKJ