What wood is this???

[alex s]

I have been sorting through all my wood as I start to fill my new workshop and came across this..
Now it is very heavy, the piece measuring 80mm x 300mm x 55mm is 1.8kg.
Almost black, but a small bit of lighter grain as seen in the photos.
All i can think of is ebony??

 

[Hitch]

African blackwood i would think...

 

[9fingers]

According to my book of wood types, Ebony can indeed have some lighter patches but the typical density is between 1 and 1.1.
Your measurements suggest a density of 1.36 which is exceptionally dense for wood.

The only wood I can find anywhere near that density is lignum vitae but the colour is wrong.

Sorry not much help!

Bob

 

[stevebuk]

i agree with hutch, looks like african blackwood to me, very heavy and hard material, made some pens from it.

 

[9fingers]

Just looked up the density of African black wood (not in my book grr!)

and according to google it is 1.35 so I think that just about confirms it.

Bob

 

[alex s]

Thanks guys. This site is great for info.

So is it mainly used for turning?

Is there any intrest in it as I dont do turning, so a bit of a waste sitting in the workshop.

What would be a reasonable price?

Thanks

 

[Hitch]

I've only ever used it for contrasting plugs and things like that. Get silly shapped bit from Yandles for 50p :lol:
Seemed to work easily enough with my basic setup.

 

[CHJ]

Thanks guys. This site is great for info.

So is it mainly used for turning?

Is there any intrest in it as I dont do turning, so a bit of a waste sitting in the workshop.

What would be a reasonable price?

Thanks

Philly has a liking for it:

 

[stevebuk]

cut it up into 3/4inch square x 5inch long section and put them on ebay as pen blanks.
Also known as Mpingu.

 

[CHJ]

cut it up into 3/4inch square x 5inch long section and put them on ebay as pen blanks.
Also known as Mpingu.

Might make some money but that would be sacrilege Steve :shock: .

 

[stevebuk]

cut it up into 3/4inch square x 5inch long section and put them on ebay as pen blanks.
Also known as Mpingu.

Might make some money but that would be sacrilege Steve :shock: .

i know what your saying chas but looks like he wont be using it and i thought its a shame to just sit there.
Although having said that, it doesn't fetch that much money on ebay anyway, i bought 5 blanks for £3.00.

maybe he should offer it as is to the flat boarders eh!

 

[matthewwh]

Mmmmmmmmm! blackwood spokeshaves!