~  -----Original Message-----
~  From: owner-oldtools@l...
~  [mailto:owner-oldtools@l...]On Behalf Of Andrew
~  Barss
~  Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 1999 7:50 AM
~  To: TomPrice@a...
~  Cc: oldtools@l...
~  Subject: Re: spalted maple CAUTION
~
~
~
~
~
~  Does anyone have a citation on this?  The reason I'm asking is
~  that I recently read a detailed article in a turning magazine,
~  by two production turners, who suggested strongly that the
~  dangers of spalted wood are more myth than fact.  (As I have
~  several gorgeous planks of spalted maple, I'd like to know how
~  paranoid to be!).

I have tried to find the reference that agrees with Andrew's magazine
source, but have so far failed. I seem to remember that it was from a
properly qualified source.

Following this correspondence reveals that some people are distressed
by the aesthetics of spalted stuff. In some examples I can't blame
them. Perhaps the concern relates to the disordered patterns that do
not relate to the form of the job.

However, if book matching or quartering is tried on flat work, some
element of order is introduced and has the advantage of adding some
judgement by the maker.

Just a thought, but then, horror of horrors, you'd need a bandsaw and
a thin blade at that!

Jeff