Camphor Laurel Spindle Blanks 70–90mm square × 300mm long

Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) turning blanks in 70mm and 90mm square sections, 300mm long. Fine, even grain with a distinctive camphor scent and a satiny natural sheen.

Overview

Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) is one of those timbers that announces itself the moment you start working it. The camphor scent, released under the gouge or the saw, is immediately recognisable and lingers pleasantly in the workshop. It is a medium-density wood with fine, even grain and a natural satiny sheen that comes up cleanly on the lathe without needing much coaxing from the finish.

Colour and Appearance

Heartwood runs from pale straw through to warm honey-brown, sometimes with subtle green or pink tones depending on the piece. The grain is straight and fine, giving a consistent, even surface across turned work. Natural camphor oils in the timber contribute to its sheen and to a surface that holds detail well.

Properties and Performance

Medium density with good turning characteristics. The timber machines cleanly, responds well to both spindle and face-plate work, and sands to a smooth, satiny finish. The natural oils make it resistant to insects and give it a pleasant workability: tools move through it without drag, and the turned surface comes up with minimal sanding. It is not a difficult wood to finish, accepting oils, waxes, and lacquers without issue.

Perfect Applications

• Bowls, platters, and hollow forms
• Vases and decorative vessels
• Pens and small handled items
• Decorative finials and spindle work

Working Characteristics

Camphor Laurel works cleanly with sharp tooling and is forgiving for turners at most skill levels. The fine, consistent grain means predictable behaviour on the lathe with minimal tearout. Sand through the grits and the surface rewards you with a smooth, slightly lustrous result. The camphor scent softens with finishing but remains faintly detectable in the cured piece.

Quality You Can Trust

We supply these blanks in 70mm and 90mm square sections, 300mm long, dressed all round (DAR) options also available. If you have questions about species suitability or want to talk through your project, we are in the showroom Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings.

15 Railway Road North, Mulgrave NSW 2756 • sales@trendtimbers.com.au

Kiln dried and ready to work

All of our timber is kiln dried to Australian standards, so it arrives stable and ready to be worked.

Because timber is a natural product, not all stock is ready to send immediately. Occasionally we need to mill your timber to the size you’ve specified before dispatch.