Yes, cherry is widely regarded as an excellent wood for turning, prized by woodturners for its beautiful aesthetics, pleasant working properties, and unique aging process. Its combination of moderate hardness and fine grain makes it a joy to shape on the lathe.
Why Cherry is a Top Choice for Woodturning
Cherry (Prunus serotina), often referred to as Black Cherry or American Cherry, offers a compelling array of characteristics that make it highly suitable for a variety of turned projects.
1. Exceptional Workability
Cherry is known for its cooperative nature on the lathe. It cuts cleanly, allowing for smooth passes and reducing the likelihood of tear-out, especially when sharp tools are used. This characteristic makes it easier to achieve intricate details and fine finishes directly off the tool.
- Clean Cuts: Produces long, consistent shavings, indicating minimal resistance and a smooth cut.
- Easy to Shape: Responds well to various turning tools, from gouges to scrapers, making it forgiving for both beginners and experienced turners.
- Minimal Tear-out: Its fine, closed grain structure helps prevent fibers from lifting, which is crucial for a smooth final surface.
2. Stunning Aesthetic Appeal
One of cherry's most distinctive features is its evolving beauty. When freshly turned, it exhibits a light pinkish-brown hue. Over time, and with exposure to light, it deepens into a rich, warm reddish-brown, often displaying a lustrous, satiny sheen.
- Beautiful Grain: Features a fine, uniform grain that is typically straight or slightly wavy, often with subtle figure.
- Color Evolution: The darkening process is a coveted trait, adding depth and character to finished pieces.
- Natural Luster: Polishes beautifully, often requiring minimal finish to highlight its inherent glow.
3. Balanced Durability and Resilience
While cherry is classified as a hardwood, it is important to note that it is not as hard as species like oak or maple. This characteristic contributes to its ease of turning but also means that it will scratch or dent if subjected to misuse. However, a remarkable property of cherry is its unique colorization process: any scratches or dents that occur will naturally darken and color up over time to match the surrounding wood, allowing them to blend in quite nicely. This self-blending quality can be a significant advantage, especially for functional pieces that might see some wear.
4. Excellent Finishing Properties
Cherry takes various finishes exceptionally well. Whether you opt for an oil finish to enhance its natural color and grain, a shellac for a traditional look, or a polyurethane for added protection, cherry absorbs and displays finishes beautifully.
- Oil Finishes: Penetrating oils deeply enrich the wood's color and bring out its natural chatoyancy.
- Polishing: Responds excellently to buffing, producing a high-gloss, glass-like surface.
Projects Ideal for Cherry Woodturning
Given its attributes, cherry is an excellent choice for a wide range of turned objects, from functional to purely decorative.
- Bowls and Platters: Its stability and beautiful grain make it perfect for hollow forms.
- Vases and Urns: The fine grain allows for delicate, thin-walled designs.
- Spindle Work: Ideal for candlestick holders, table legs, and other detailed linear pieces.
- Decorative Boxes: The smooth finish and rich color lend themselves well to lidded boxes.
- Functional Items: Pens, bottle stoppers, and small kitchen utensils benefit from its workability and aesthetic.
Tips for Turning Cherry Wood
To get the best results when turning cherry, consider these practical tips:
- Keep Tools Sharp: While cherry is forgiving, sharp tools are essential for the cleanest cuts and to minimize sanding.
- Control Cutting Speed: Adjust your lathe speed to match the size of the piece and your cutting technique; medium to high speeds are often effective.
- Mind the End Grain: Like most woods, cherry's end grain can be slightly more challenging to get perfectly smooth. Take light, shearing cuts.
- Embrace the Aging Process: Advise clients or users that the wood will darken over time, which is a desirable characteristic. Exposing the finished piece to natural light will accelerate this process.
Cherry is an undeniably good wood to turn, offering a rewarding experience for woodturners of all skill levels. Its balance of easy workability, inherent beauty, and unique aging properties makes it a perennial favorite for creating durable and visually appealing turned objects. For more insights into woodturning techniques, you can explore resources like The American Association of Woodturners (AAW).
