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Ironwood |
MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6490
From: The Anvil of the Sun
|  Posted: 2012-07-31 5:52 pm Permalink
I picked up a small piece of Ironwood (Olneya tesota). I think it's a protected species and may be illegal to collect so I won't say how I got it 
Probably not the best wood for a new carver but anyone have tips for working with it? I've seen carvings done of it in Mexico that have beautiful dark grain and a mirror-like finish.
Here it is "floating" in water. It has a desity of 1.2, similar to Lignum Vitae or Ebony and about twice as dense as Walnut
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McTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 1945
From: Sunny Florida
| Posted: 2012-07-31 6:15 pm Permalink
Just make sure its not toxic or a rash causing wood before you dive in. There's no limit to its desired finish. You can get this to 1000 grit! Its heavy and very dense.
Mahalo
McTiki
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pjc5150
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 01, 2009
Posts: 1671
From: Tampa, FL
| Posted: 2012-07-31 6:51 pm Permalink
wow...
that's amazing looking...
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AlohaStation
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: 2014
From: So FL
| Posted: 2012-08-01 06:20 am Permalink
Rotary tools are maybe more appropriate than chisels. Contact Benzart.
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6490
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2012-08-01 10:10 am Permalink
McTiki, that is a good point. Certain wood dusts make me wheeze, especially redwood and any hardwood ~ I should probably wear a mask.
Tom, that's what I figured ~ treat it more like bone or stone. I think I'm going to try a Hei Matau, that may be within the scope of my limited skill set. I'll need to do some research to find how to do the lashing.
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Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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McTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 1945
From: Sunny Florida
| Posted: 2012-08-01 10:22 am Permalink
I found a guide of sorts, but, it doesn't contain the Iron wood genus (Sideroxylon)family. It does have alot of others common to us rotary & chisel guys though.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
Mahalo
McTiki
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hang10tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
Posts: 2070
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-08-01 4:48 pm Permalink
great color
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6490
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2012-08-01 7:43 pm Permalink
The piece I sliced off has some lighter colored heartwood which could make some nice color variation. I drew out a simple hook, let's see what happens
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Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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Badd Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 28, 2008
Posts: 274 | Posted: 2012-08-01 10:05 pm Permalink
Ironwood is beautiful, used on a lot of custom guitars. Hopefully the piece you got was from proper sourcing, it's the wild stuff that is off limits.
Just don't waste it  That's a nice looking piece, you should be able to make some great stuff out of it.
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Atomic Mess
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 13, 2012
Posts: 242
From: Hack-Ah-Nee
| Posted: 2012-08-03 04:13 am Permalink
wow that looks amazing!
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/desert-ironwood/
No definite toxic effects listed here but probably safe to wear a mask if you're going to use power tools...
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savoy6
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 35 | Posted: 2012-08-04 8:34 pm Permalink
it's a type of hornbeam..if that helps any...alot of native american tribes used this wood specifically for arrow shafts because of it's rigidity and hardness....
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10309
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2012-08-25 07:08 am Permalink
This wood is better Machined than carved as it will wreck a set of chisels if not careful. Thats why most of the pieces you see are smooth with very little detail It can be polished to a mirror finish . Tom was correct in using rotary tools though fine detail can be sharpened up with knives and chisels. Good luck, take your time and Have FUN!
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