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Black Palm !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C

Cumbrian Craig

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I had a go with some Black Palm today!!!! I made sure all the tools required were sharp, but this is a stubborn fibrous wood!! I'm posting this pen because I had to overcome many issues and in the end, I have a pen I'm fairly happy with, even if it is just for a family member rather than for sale. I still have 3 of these blanks left, if anyone wants one, PM me. I will send you one free :praying: including postage.

Palm 1.jpg

Palm 2.jpg

Palm 3.jpg

Kind regards

Craig
 
Dalboy

Dalboy

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Done a good job I have a blank of this I enjoyed the challenge after turning the first one always makes a good looking pen
 
C

Cumbrian Craig

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Dalboy said:
Done a good job I have a blank of this I enjoyed the challenge after turning the first one always makes a good looking pen
Click to expand...

Thanks Derek. Do you have any tips??? using this wood. As you said it does make a lovely pen.......................eventually!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Craig
 
Dalboy

Dalboy

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The biggest tip is to always work down hill to the grain as if you try to go against it there is every chance you will lift the grain for example looking at your pen cut from the centre out as the centre will be you high point therfor you are cutting down hill. This only applies to wood that is running the length of the pen and not cross cut. Take gentle cuts and as you have already stated keep the tools sharp I tend to use a 1/2" skew chisel when I turn it.
 
Penpal

Penpal

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I think you did well considering the tearout that can be overcome by using sand paper before you get to the finished sizes. My answer to the beast hidden in palm tree fibres.

Peter.
 
Bill Mooney

Bill Mooney

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You’ve made a good job considering the timber Craig.
That’s good advice from Derek.
It’s an open grain timber so I start sanding at 100 grit. I apply a small amount of medium ca to the abrasive & start sanding from end to end immediately, the mix of sanding dust & ca fill the grain then I sand normally from there. I find I can achieve a good finish this way & I usually use melamine or acrylic lacquer applied using Phil Darts method. I sand around 900 rpm.
Hope this helps. Put a paper towel on your lathe bed & Wear your safety glasses.
 
C

Cumbrian Craig

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Bill Mooney said:
You’ve made a good job considering the timber Craig.
That’s good advice from Derek.
It’s an open grain timber so I start sanding at 100 grit. I apply a small amount of medium ca to the abrasive & start sanding from end to end immediately, the mix of sanding dust & ca fill the grain then I sand normally from there. I find I can achieve a good finish this way & I usually use melamine or acrylic lacquer applied using Phil Darts method. I sand around 900 rpm.
Hope this helps. Put a paper towel on your lathe bed & Wear your safety glasses.
Click to expand...

Dalboy said:
The biggest tip is to always work down hill to the grain as if you try to go against it there is every chance you will lift the grain for example looking at your pen cut from the centre out as the centre will be you high point therfor you are cutting down hill. This only applies to wood that is running the length of the pen and not cross cut. Take gentle cuts and as you have already stated keep the tools sharp I tend to use a 1/2" skew chisel when I turn it.
Click to expand...

Sound advise from both of you. Many thanks Derek and Bill. Gives me a few things to try.

Kind regards

Craig
 
Les ELm

Les ELm

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Nicely done.
I really like turning black and red palm.
Easy to turn at 3500 rpm and razor sharp tools.
Takes a great finish too.

Les
 

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Bigblackdog

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Dec 28, 2014
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Leeds
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Mark
one thing that you can do with black palm (not tried it with red), is to bleach it for more contrast and a different effect. the cufflinks below are end grain, but exposed side grain would have a similar effect.

I used cheap thin household bleach, for 10-15 mins, then washed it thoroughly. Raise the grain first, sand to finish grits, bleach and then sand lightly to finish. the bleach ones have not been lacquered and waxed yet, but that wouldn't change the colour significantly.

excuse the bits of buffing wheel fluff on them!
 

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Penpal

Penpal

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One mans thoughts on Palm exceed others and lead to tremendous gain via finishing techniques, good to see the exercise extended this way.

Peter.
 
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