Tagua Nuts

[Hitch]

Daughter was obsessed by the box of Tagua nuts at Yandles the weekend. Never paid any attention to them myself.

Had a quick look on google, seems it looks a bit like ivory.

Anyone here messed about with these things?
Are they hard, soft, easy to turn? Do they need a finish applied?

Should have just bought a couple #-o

 

[Paul Hannaby]

They are quite hard but turn relatively easy with your usual turning tools. They almost always have a void in the centre so you either have to incorporate that in your design or just use half a nut. You might also want to look at thika pods and uxi nuts, they are interesting to turn too.

 

[Dodge]

I tend to keep a couple in stock in the workshop as can be used very easily by cutting thin strips for insert lock escutcheons - look like ivory when fitted and not that I am condoning the use of ivory but the contrast works well with nearly all timbers.

Works relatively easily and isnt too white so doesnt look like plastic and finishes well