Wood OR Wood Samples Or Comments ?

System

YES: Wood Samples :-)

I am rather restricted to what wood I have for making the odd handle for people and getting that special grain etc is not always that easy.

My wife has some items made from old Olive trees... And must admit it is OK but soft and light...

I do not have ready access but would be interested to see what  some of the fruit trees offer OR even an old Coffee Tree ?

Some where in the back of my mind I recall that Plum Trees had a distinctive grain ?  But I could be wrong.

If some one knows a anyone out around Stanthorpe or Warwick that might be able to help, I would consider making a drive to pick up some bits. 

OR, If you have some locally... Well that is another story.

Or if you know of a particular wood that you think would be suitable, let us all know.

Some of teh imported ones have a great name but the costs make it a little less attractive when one is playing and learning.

Tamper and Group Handle made from Coffee Tree would be somthing  ;D

Koffee_Kosmo

Get in touch with Coffee Prince in Northern NSW Even if they are sm/med coffee branches you could laminate them KK

askthecoffeeguy

I like walnut for its amazing finish, not sure how practical this is though...

Koffee_Kosmo

In Australia we think that something better grows somewhere else This is not true and flipping the emphasis to other countries They think that Australian timbers are beautiful What gives ? Go bush young man marvel at some trees and let it live and just trim a few branches KK

RichardM

We pulled down a Jacaranda a year or so ago. One of the guys pulling it down said that they were good for wood turning. The grain in it was incredible. Don't have any of that wood left though - People seem to pull them down all the time, because they are horrible trees to have in the yard. Maybe talk to some people who cut down trees to find out when nice ones are coming down?? If I hear any workmates etc up this way that are pulling trees down, I'll ask which ones, and let you know and salvage some if it's worthwhile (My father lives in Brisbane, so I'm down there every few months to visit). I guess the seasoning is the bit that would take the time.

texx

the centre of wilga tree,s gets a nice black section in the older ones and a creamy coloured wood around it and cut the right way you can get a nice affect , not easy to get though i only had one little bit given to me made 2 pens from it and they are long gone ( sold ) . hardest part is getting the nice wood in a dry state or getting it wet ( green ) and waiting a fair while . though for group handle you can rip the green wood down to about 2"x2" square and it will dry a lot quicker . you have a better chance of getting specky wood where you are than i do out here .although  i do have a lot  acacia tree's on my place just aint got around to those yet . i have some hairy oak in the shed but it's not dry yet only a few thin boards are dry . i get stuff like cedar in the kiln dried state from a place in toowoomba that makes custom front doors and stair cases , window frames and so on . johno.

Koffee_Kosmo

I had an idea Firewood that is sold by the ton ?? The next door neighbour has a wood heater and some of that wood looks nice Just an idea to ponder about AM KK

texx

morton island ah ha ,mangrove root can be very nice .

Lacehim

AM I buy ironoak (at least that's what I think it is) by the 1m3 and as a I go though it I will keep any that might be useful for you.  You might get 2 or 3 out the whole lot.  There are a lot of splits etc, but some logs that look ok.  It's well seasoned too.

Brett H

I have seen Mango used in turning and it can get a great silvery luster to if our lucky. I'll have a look in the shed for you and report back. Sadly I don't have anything as exotic as Mango.