Lignum vitae

[Ironballs]

Not a particularly exciting or earth shattering post, just a little observation. Was in the class workshop the other night and picked up a waxy looking piece of wood I wasn't familiar with, only small but I was shocked when I held it as the weight was more akin to a lump of metal.

Looked like it had been waxed all over and when we worried it with a chisel we could only get a bit of the surface off and still oily/waxy underneath. Asked the tutor who had a look and told us that it was lignum vitae, the hardest wood in the world and one that sinks in water. Very popular for making pulleys on old sailing ships - I wouldn't fancy trying to work it though :shock:

A little check on the net after showed that it was used in all kind of maritime applications, including use as a propellor bearing on a nuclear sub. Always good to learn new things

 

[Rich]

Also used for bowling balls (woods).

Rich.

 

[wizer]

I've been after a bit for ages on eBay for a mallet head but it always goes above my budget. Bowling balls seem to be the best bet

 

[OPJ]

Not attempted to work any myself but, I think the wax coating is something they will have done to prevent it from drying out too quickly and splitting. If it's only a small section (eg. 12" x 2" x2") then, it was probably sold as a turning blank.

 

[Ironballs]

Good luck Tom, I think you're either insane or very brave to want to machine some. The bit I saw looked like trying to work steel with softer steel :shock:

 

[Harbo]

I made this brute from half a piece I bought from Yandles (about £9 worth)

It's quite easy to turn and drill as it "lubricates" itself - the handle is in ash - wish I had made it a bit more fancy?

Rod

 

[Ironballs]

Bet that's a hefty mallet Rod

 

[Chems]

Wizer, I have a lump of it outside that would be big enough for a mallet head. I bought it from Good Timber last summer (you know the 2 weeks between winter) I'm not sure of the exact measurements but can measure and get a picture for you tomorrow if you'd like it.

 

[Grinding One]

Its great for carving mallets I have a couple,waxing is a must or it will check badly

 

[wizer]

Wizer, I have a lump of it outside that would be big enough for a mallet head. I bought it from Good Timber last summer (you know the 2 weeks between winter) I'm not sure of the exact measurements but can measure and get a picture for you tomorrow if you'd like it.

I certainly be interested Chems, thank you.

 

[woodbloke]

I turned a bowling ball into a table lamp (I already have a lignum maul) but it seems to turn best by scraping rather than cutting with a gouge - Rob

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I have several Lignum bowling balls bought from charity shops for not much money just keep an eye out when you are passing.


Pete

 

[MickCheese]

Was used for police truncheons years ago? They now use a metal bar.

 

[miles_hot]

Hi,

I have several Lignum bowling balls bought from charity shops for not much money just keep an eye out when you are passing.


Pete

Idiot question I know - how do you tell under all the paint that it's a) wood and b} LV?

Miles

 

[Grinding One]

Was used for police truncheons years ago? They now use a metal bar.

Over here the rod was on the inside with a stack of rubber washers on the outside used to beat the inmates by the guards,it left no marks on the body.The rod was lead....

 

[Racers]

Hi, Miles

They aren't painted the lignum ones, so you can see the grain.


Pete

 

[wizer]

I've picked a few up and you can tell the diff between the composite and wood. It's harder to work out if they are Lignum, but there aren't many other woods that are that heavy/dense. Whatever it was, it would be valuable as a mallet head

 

[duncanh]

I have a few old crown green bowls waiting for working. as has been said - they're much easier to turn with a freshly burred scraper than a gouge, and you can get very fine shaving off the scraper.
As you work the wood gives off a lovely citrussy smell. Apparently small chippings can be used to make a tea, but I've haven't tried it (yet).

Sanding is a bit problematic as the abrasive clogs up very quickly with exuded oils, but it wet sands nicely and works to a high gloss surface. You hardly need to apply a finish to it.

Here's a bowl I made from an old crown green bowl. The end cap was ivory


and here's a vase (16cm high x 13cm)


The problem with I had with both these is surface cracks that chip whilst turning. All the other bowls I have also have small cracks as well.


Duncan

 

[Finial]

I was turning a bit of lignum once on a screw chuck, but it came loose when the thread stripped. The steel thread.