Anyone want to swap some wenge for eg walnut?

[GrahamRounce]

Hi - I'm trying to turn a flat piece of wenge (41cm dia), and it's like turning bakelite! It's $%^$%^ing hard!
I have Crown tools - would I expect to resharpen every minute or so, and still not make much progress?
Anyway, I've still got a fairly large piece left, about 130 x 41.5 x 2cm, not to mention 2 circular pieces about 41cm across. Anyone interested in a swap for a more tractable, preferably dark hardwood?
Graham

 

[PAC1]

Graham

I might be interested. I am a little confussed by your measurements can you clarify they are all in centimeters?

 

[wizer]

I've got lots of Iroko, mahog, utile, sapele for swapsies ?

 

[GrahamRounce]

Hi to both - yes, dimensions in cm.

I'm looking for a piece or pieces 20mm thick, maybe 15 at a push, and able to be made into squares maybe 35 - 40 cm on a side?

I must say Kent is nearer than Uttoexeter, but the darker & more workable (but not soft) the wood the better. (I'll probly have to be guided by you).

Graham

 

[wizer]

I'm here all day tomorrow if you want to pop over. I'm about 10mins from Dartford Bridge.

 

[wizer]

This is the sort of wood I'm talking about:

What is it you are making?

 

[Tom K]

Isn't Wenge the stuff that gives those evil poison splinters?

 

[wizer]

You only have to look at it and it spears you like a tribal hunter.

 

[Ironballs]

Nice analogy!

And of course it's red listed...............

 

[Tom K]

You only have to look at it and it spears you like a tribal hunter.

We await the horror pics with baited breath :shock: Is it old stock?

 

[GrahamRounce]

Hi - Well (Mr Wizer), I'm into making round tabletops at the moment... is any of yours in board or panel form, 20 - 25mm? If so, I'm going to see my Mum in Grays on Sunday, so that would be easy for me?
I don't know about the poison splinters - I got one yesterday and I'm still urrrrrrrrrgh

 

[GrahamRounce]

Red listed??

 

[wizer]

yep I have quite a few boards that thickness. Tho, I'm away this weekend, Sat-Mon. I'll be here the rest of next week and no plans for the following weekend. Evenings are do-able but can be tricky.

 

[Ironballs]

Red listed = the plant equivalent of turning a panda on your lathe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_List

 

[Tom K]

Red listed??

Theres only one of these trees left in Africa (maybe two) and Kew Gardens might have some seeds.

 

[GrahamRounce]

Hi again. Ok thanks. Yes, I probably can make it tomorrow (Fri). Do you want to send me your phone number or email addr in a Message?
Btw, I got it from a woodyard about 6 months ago. They'd had it for a while, but I don't know how long.
Graham

 

[wizer]

PM Sent Graham