Sycamore vs. Ash for Woodturning - What is The Difference?

Sycamore offers fine, even grain and smooth finish ideal for detailed woodturning projects, while Ash provides superior strength and a striking, pronounced grain pattern favored for sturdy, decorative items. Woodturners choose Sycamore for delicate work and Ash when durability and bold aesthetics are essential.

Table of Comparison

Introduction to Sycamore and Ash in Woodturning

Sycamore wood, known for its fine, even texture and pale color, provides an excellent canvas for detailed woodturning projects, prized for its consistent grain and ability to hold intricate shapes without cracking. Ash, characterized by its strong, flexible properties and pronounced grain patterns, offers woodturners a durable material that responds well to shaping and finishing, making it ideal for both functional and decorative items. Both woods bring unique qualities to woodturning, with sycamore favored for delicate, smooth works and ash preferred for robust, dynamic creations.

Wood Characteristics: Sycamore vs Ash

Sycamore wood features a fine, even grain with a smooth texture, offering excellent stability and minimal warping, which makes it ideal for detailed woodturning projects. Ash wood is known for its open, straight grain and high strength-to-weight ratio, providing durability and a slightly coarse texture that enhances grip on turned items like tool handles. Both woods turn well, but Sycamore's subtle grain appeals for decorative bowls, while Ash's robustness suits functional, high-impact pieces.

Workability and Turning Ease

Sycamore offers exceptional workability in woodturning due to its fine, even grain and relatively soft texture, which allows for smooth cuts and detailed shaping. Ash, while harder and denser, provides excellent turning ease by holding detail well but requires sharper tools and more control to avoid tear-out. Both woods respond well to finishing, but sycamore's lighter weight and uniform grain make it particularly favored for delicate, intricate projects.

Grain Pattern and Aesthetic Appeal

Sycamore wood features a distinctive, interlocking grain pattern with swirling, irregular figures that create a visually dynamic surface, making it ideal for artistic woodturning projects. Ash wood exhibits a straight, pronounced grain with a consistent texture, offering a classic and clean aesthetic well-suited for functional and decorative items. Both woods provide contrasting visual appeals: sycamore's intricate grain attracts attention with unique character, while ash's uniform grain delivers a sleek and timeless look.

Durability and Strength Comparison

Sycamore wood offers moderate durability and strength, making it suitable for light to medium woodturning projects, while ash is known for its exceptional strength and shock resistance, ideal for functional and heavy-use items. Ash has a higher Janka hardness rating, typically around 1320, compared to sycamore's softer texture, enhancing its durability in wear-prone applications. The open grain structure of ash also contributes to its flexibility and resilience, whereas sycamore's fine grain makes it easier to turn but less robust under stress.

Finishing and Surface Quality

Sycamore wood is prized for its fine, even grain that yields a smooth surface ideal for detailed woodturning projects, resulting in a high-quality finish with minimal sanding required. Ash, with its open grain and coarser texture, often demands more careful sanding and finishing techniques to achieve a similarly smooth surface, but it finishes well with oils and lacquers that highlight its natural grain patterns. Both woods respond beautifully to polishing, though sycamore's dense structure typically results in a superior satin finish, while ash provides a distinctive, textured appearance when properly sealed.

Cost and Availability

Sycamore wood generally offers a more affordable option for woodturning compared to ash, making it popular among hobbyists and artisans on a budget. Availability of sycamore is relatively widespread in Europe and parts of North America, providing easy access in local lumberyards and specialty wood suppliers. Ash, while slightly more expensive, remains readily available due to its common use in furniture and sports equipment, ensuring steady supply through commercial channels.

Best Projects for Sycamore and Ash

Sycamore wood is ideal for intricate woodturning projects like decorative bowls, platters, and vases due to its fine grain and pale coloration, which highlights detailed patterns and smooth finishes. Ash, known for its strength and elastic properties, excels in functional items such as tool handles, chair legs, and sports equipment where durability and shock resistance are critical. Both woods offer unique advantages: Sycamore for aesthetic-focused craftwork and Ash for projects demanding toughness and resilience.

User Preferences and Woodturner Experiences

Sycamore woodturners often appreciate its fine, even grain and light color, which provide excellent detail and smooth finishes, making it ideal for delicate projects like bowls and pens. Ash is preferred by those valuing its strength, elasticity, and striking grain patterns, offering durability and a visually dynamic result, especially in larger or more functional items such as tool handles or furniture pieces. User feedback highlights sycamore's ease of turning and minimal tool wear, while ash is noted for its resilience and ability to hold intricate designs without chipping.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Wood for Your Turning Projects

Sycamore offers a fine, even grain with light coloration, ideal for detailed woodturning projects requiring smooth finishes and subtle aesthetics. Ash provides greater durability and prominent grain patterns, making it suitable for functional pieces needing strength and visual impact. Selecting between sycamore and ash depends on the project's purpose--opt for sycamore for delicate, decorative items and ash for robust, visually striking turnings.