Eyefor Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 (edited) I have been given a piece of wood approx 12 x 12 x 4" that I am told is Lignum Vitae. Photos below. It is very heavy and I would like it turned into a bowl. Would anyone on here be able to do this please? I'm happy to pay for time, expense, materials used etc plus to & from post / Evri (I don't think even they can break this). Thanks in advance. Edited January 17 by Eyefor Added text Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 hello, looking at that split in the middle it might not be possible to turn a large bowl but a few smaller ones instead, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted January 17 Author Report Share Posted January 17 7 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said: hello, looking at that split in the middle it might not be possible to turn a large bowl but a few smaller ones instead, Thanks for the reply. I would be happy to be guided by whoever undertakes the turning. I have seen a few YouTube videos where the wood with splits is placed a resin and then turned - but I don't have a clue as to what are the rights & wrongs of wood turning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinj Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 or crack it apart then glue or resin it together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 My dad would do this if you ever pass Tamworth staffs 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted January 18 Author Report Share Posted January 18 20 hours ago, team tractor said: My dad would do this if you ever pass Tamworth staffs 👍 Thanks for the offer. I'm happy to post/Evri courier it to you and the arrange collection? Would that work for you please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted January 18 Report Share Posted January 18 Drop me a pm 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuarta Posted January 18 Report Share Posted January 18 Ship builders used lignum vitae for stern gland bearings on the ships prop shafts. The bearings were made so that a small amount of sea water leaked through and reduced the friction between the wood and the shaft. Just cutting a circular block out of the blank will blunt the teeth of even the best band saw blade. To machine a bowl from it you will need an engineering lathe and cutting tools. Wood turning chisels are not designed to cut wood this dense and will loose their edge within seconds of touching the wood. On most modern wood lathes the head bearing are not robust enough to take the spinning momentum of this heavy wood. Just drill a clearance hole in the edge and try and put a screw in it. I say the edge as you will likely snap the screw in the wood. If you decide to use the wood just be careful as it is very unforgiving and you can break tools and hurt yourself if you treat it like a normal hardwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted January 19 Report Share Posted January 19 2 hours ago, Stuarta said: Ship builders used lignum vitae for stern gland bearings on the ships prop shafts. The bearings were made so that a small amount of sea water leaked through and reduced the friction between the wood and the shaft. Just cutting a circular block out of the blank will blunt the teeth of even the best band saw blade. To machine a bowl from it you will need an engineering lathe and cutting tools. Wood turning chisels are not designed to cut wood this dense and will loose their edge within seconds of touching the wood. On most modern wood lathes the head bearing are not robust enough to take the spinning momentum of this heavy wood. Just drill a clearance hole in the edge and try and put a screw in it. I say the edge as you will likely snap the screw in the wood. If you decide to use the wood just be careful as it is very unforgiving and you can break tools and hurt yourself if you treat it like a normal hardwood. this..............mate used to work on kings lynn docks...and he was allowed to take the lignum vitae shortplanksof wood.....he made rabbit hutches and breed white rabbits for the local butcher ...i remember helping him to make the hutches,,,,you could not cut it or knock a nail in it or a screw...to nail it you had to drill a hole first ... seriously hard wood at one time they used to make bearings for the straw walkers on combines out of it...stuarta is spot on when he says "treat it as a metal" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted January 19 Author Report Share Posted January 19 12 hours ago, team tractor said: Drop me a pm 👍 PM sent. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted January 19 Author Report Share Posted January 19 Thanks for other comments but it can be done...just carefully!! and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted January 19 Report Share Posted January 19 Looks like it will be well worth the effort if you can get it done. 11 hours ago, Stuarta said: Ship builders used lignum vitae for stern gland bearings on the ships prop shafts. The bearings were made so that a small amount of sea water leaked through and reduced the friction between the wood and the shaft. Interesting stuff. Sounds like my rubber volvo stern gland is a bit lightweight 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 Update on the above. First of all a big THANK YOU to Team Tractor for the offer of assistance with the wooden block and, secondly, an ever bigger THANK YOU to TT's Dad for turning the wooden block into the beautiful bowl as pics attached. The consensus is that whilst the wood was "as hard as steel" and regularly blunted the turning tools, it is probably not Lignum Vitae, but Iroko. The crack in the block did continue through to the core but, to me, that just adds character and does not detract from the bowls purpose. I am humbled by the skills. I am very grateful and I hope TT's Dad enjoys the well deserved beer or three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelsh Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 What a lovely piece and good craftsmanship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Very nice work, and well done team tractors dad, and what a talented family they are 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Thank you boys and girls 😃. My dads a one off . Luckily 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Very nice bowl, well done to TT's Dad. Not for soup though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Your old fella has done a fantastic job Nath 👍. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 25 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Very nice bowl, well done to TT's Dad. Not for soup though. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 24 minutes ago, mel b3 said: Your old fella has done a fantastic job Nath 👍. Cheers dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 (edited) On 17/01/2024 at 11:09, oldypigeonpopper said: hello, looking at that split in the middle it might not be possible to turn a large bowl but a few smaller ones instead, As he said. My late grandfather did bowl turning and made furniture also. Lignum vitae was also used in best quality woods (as in bowling). Edited February 17 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Looks very nice, a great job done and another enjoyable post to read. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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