Red Cedar – Sawn – Turning – 180 dia × 50mm

Round bowl blank in Australian red cedar. Light in the hand, soft under the gouge, and a colour that deepens with age. Short run from recent stock.

Red Cedar Bowl Blank

This red cedar bowl blank is cut from Australian red cedar (Toona ciliata), the timber that furnished the colonial cabinet trade before the good stands were cut out. We do not see it in round blank form often, and when it comes in it goes quickly.

Why Red Cedar Earned Its Name

Colour is the draw. Fresh off the tool it runs pale pink to warm russet, then deepens over the years into the deep red brown you see on old chests and church furniture. The grain is open and straightforward, the timber is light in the hand, and it carries a faint cedar scent while you work it. Toona ciliata is native to the east coast rainforests and remains one of the most recognisable Australian cabinet timbers.

Working Properties on the Lathe

• Hardness: Soft and easy cutting. Keep the gouge freshly sharpened and the surface comes off clean.
• Grain: Open and mostly straight, with occasional figure around old branch stubs.
• Turning: Cuts with very little resistance. Light finishing passes beat heavy ones across the end grain.
• Finishing: Takes oil, wax and shellac beautifully. We recommend Rustins Danish oil, EEE-Ultra Shine or Shellawax for a soft satin finish.
• Stability: Settles well once dry and holds its shape.

Best Projects for a Red Cedar Bowl Blank

• Salad and fruit bowls where light weight matters
• Shallow platters and ring dishes that show the colour across the face
• Lidded boxes and scoops

Dimensions and Finish

Round, docked and ready for the faceplate. Full dimensions are listed in the product details above. Natural colour and figure variation is expected across the run.

Every Blank Is Different, and That Is the Point

You are buying from the parcel, not picking the blank. These came off one pull and were docked round on the same day. We have not sorted them into grades, because we do not hold that one of these is better than another — they are different, and the difference is the thing you are paying for. One will carry a knot. One will show a void with a dark centre, a gum vein, or a check running in from the edge. One will be quiet and even all the way across. We cannot promise you which blank you will get, and frankly we would not want to choose it for you.

The knot is the prize. The best figure in any tree sits hard up against the knots and the crotches. That is where the grain had to divert and compress, and it is where the flame, the fiddleback and the colour change live. Straight, featureless grain is the easy part of a log. This is premium timber and every mark in it is a record of how the tree grew — you are buying the character, not tolerating it. If you want a particular face for a particular piece, order two and turn the one the timber points you to.

Shipping and Pickup

Blanks ship Australia-wide via Australia Post or Aramex. Pickup is welcome from our Mulgrave NSW store Mon–Fri 9am–4pm and Sat 9am–12pm. For bulk enquiries call (02) 4577 5277 or email sales@trendtimbers.com.au.

Limited Stock, Once It’s Gone

This is a short run from what came in, not a line we restock to order. Once these are turned, the listing closes. Have a look through the rest of our turning blanks while you are here.