Turnery and wood ware
Turnery and wood ware timber is used in the production of shaped and turned wooden items made on a lathe, including bowls, handles, spindles, stair parts, furniture components, utensils, toys and decorative objects. It is also widely used in both traditional craft and modern manufacturing where precision shaping and smooth curved forms are required, often forming both functional and ornamental wood ware products.
This application requires timber with excellent workability, fine and even grain, and the ability to hold detail while producing a smooth finish without tearing or splintering. Species such as Beech and Maple (American and English) are widely used due to their consistent texture, strength and excellent machining properties, making them ideal for both functional and mass-produced turned items. Sycamore and Pear are highly valued for their fine, uniform grain and clean finish, particularly in decorative and precision turnery. For more ornamental or high-value pieces, Ebony, English Walnut, European Elm and Olivewood offer attractive figure and colour variation, while Boxwood alternatives such as Hornbeam provide exceptional density for fine, detailed turning work where precision and durability are essential.
Beech
Cherry – English
Chestnut – Sweet
Ebony
Ebony Macassar
Elm – American
Elm – European – Decorative
Holly
Hornbeam
Ipe
Iroko
Lime
Mahogany – African
Makore
Maple – American
Maple – English
Oak – English
Oak – English – 'Pippy'
Oak – English – Brown
Oak – English – Burr
Oak – English – Restoration Grade
Oak – European
Olivewood
Opepe
Padauk
Pear
Pine – European Redwood
Plane – Lacewood
Plum
Poplar – European Black
Purpleheart
Ramin
Sycamore
Teak
Walnut – Black
Walnut – English
Wenge
Yew – English
