Curly spalded maple

[porchdog48]

I have an opportunity to get curly spalded maple planks 3 inches thick , 10 inches wide, and 8 foot long. My question is I have not seen any guns made with spalded maple, and is there a reason? It is hard maple and has heavy curl. Any information would be appreciated.

[grabenkater]

 I've made some knife handles from spalted maple. It cracked easily along the black streaks.

[valongrifles]

The black streaks in the wood is from bacteria/fungi. It makes for some beautiful wood but can be weak wood. Best used for beautiful turnings.
 

[spiderman852]

Or boxes!!

[porchdog48]

Thanks for response , and the correct spelling. Looks like furniture and boxes is the choice.

[Kermit]

Back in my custom furniture days, I'd probably have resawn it into veneers. Three-inch planks aren't much good for turning unless you are making stuff like pens, candlesticks, and flyswatters.

[Daryl]

I have heard of Spalted Birch, and Spalted Ash, but never Spalted Maple. Spalted Birch makes beautiful Kitchen Cabinets. Buddy Ron did this for his kitchen - VERY strikingly beautiful wood.

[Kermit]

Here ya go, Daryl!

http://www.google.com/search?q=spalted+maple&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1mEdVb2nKITooASMuICQCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1024&bih=672

[T*O*F]

You should have typed spalted maple gun stocks into Google and you would have gotten this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=spalted+maple&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1mEdVb2nKITooASMuICQCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1024&bih=672&gws_rd=ssl#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=spalted+maple+gun+stocks

[porchdog48]

Here are a couple photos of the splated maple that I originally asked the question about.  Thank you all that have provided feedback to my original post!

[Dennis Glazener]

I am not sure that is spalted. Spalted wood, as I understand it, is wood that has been discolored by fungi. Some appears to be close to rotting.

Yours looks more like it has mineral streaks or maybe some other type of discoloring.
Dennis

[BOB HILL]

These pictures are showing ambrosia beetle damage. These beetles showed up in Charleston S.C. In peach trees in the early 70s.Introduced from Asia. I've seen a lot of it. Give it a little time, I'm sure it will make it's way around. The wood is still usable ,just discolored.   Bob

[BOB HILL]

I say this is the name of the beetle, because I've seen the wood marketed as ambrosia maple.I first cut some maple in the mid 80's that had these olive to chocolate colored stains in it.

[T*O*F]

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to use the wood you've shown for gunstocks.  Once stained, that discoloration almost disappears and with selective pattern layout you could eliminate most of it anyhow.

[E.vonAschwege]

Spalted maple usually has several layers of discoloration caused by fungi and a degree of softness/dryrot.  I've used it in turning projects and folky furniture, but wouldn't use it for gunstocks.  The wood you've shown pictures of looks like it has some stains, but appears to be completely solid and good.  I would use it if the density is right!  Stain it dark and the discoloration will be minimized. 
-Eric

[Tom Currie]

Funny how someone slapped a desireable label ( spalted) on wood that is starting to rot. Marketing. 

[BOB HILL]

I've used wood bleach that furniture makers use to bleach these spots out ,stained with leather dye then filled the entry and exit hole left by thei insect with super glue. The dye is used to keep the glue from penetrating any of the wood  that has not been been stained and leaving you with a spot that will not take stain. After sanding this down you may need to breach again before final stain.This has worked for me in the past. Experiment ,every piece of wood has it's own personality.Again this is sound wood just stained by the insect while in the wood.

[eddillon]

Here are a couple photos of the splated maple that I originally asked the question about.  Thank you all that have provided feedback to my original post!

Many years ago I received a blank similar to this from a customer who wanted me to turn for a bolt action rifle.  It is the only piece of maple that I ever turned in my Don Allen duplicator that actually shattered into pieces while being shaped.  That was a tough phone call to make.  Thankfully he understood.

[WadePatton]

I concur, that's not spalting.  This is spalted:




I love to look at it as it brings a whole 'nuther complication to the beauty of wood, but is IS a "pre-rot" condition.  Wherever you find spalting, rotted punky wood is the next stage.  I would not attempt a rifle of wood in this condition unless it was extremely limited in the piece.

But as noted, the wood you're considering may be entirely sound and colors are fun. Try some.