Snakewood !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnny5]

Hi,
I know it is a sod to work with and infamous splitting problems but
I have been given a couple of blanks that are totally covered in wax . and not just on the end grain.
What should I do ?
1. take off the majority of wax but leave the end grain waxed.
2. Do nothing
3. Leave them to acclimatise in the house before attempting to drill
4. give them back
5. anything other suggestions without using anatomical references

 

[paulm]

Send them to me

 

[Woody]

Best to let them to acclimatise drill at a slow speed and keep clearing the drill bit or the shavings will just clog it up and create a lot of heat which snakewood don't like turn as normal with sharp tools and sand at a slow speed and only for short burst again avoid heat build up or your pen will just split wide open but most important just enjoy turning it, it is a joy to turn Personally I think it is a nice wood to turn and finish as long as it is kept cool I just cant understand why it has such a bad reputation

 

[Jim]

When finished i don't think there is better looking wood Johnny .. Do exactly as Woody says and you won't go far wrong..

 

[johnny5]

When finished i don't think there is better looking wood Johnny .. Do exactly as Woody says and you won't go far wrong..

So shall I invest in expensive fittings /kits to complement the snakewood ,
do not fancy wasting it on slimlines
that is the question
I have a few Sedona FP and Rollerball as well as JR Gentleman RB and FP and sure there is an empress RB in the mancave
or do I splash out on some Roman harvest
What do you think my learned friends

 

[Woody]

So shall I invest in expensive fittings /kits to complement the snakewood ,
do not fancy wasting it on slimlines
that is the question
I have a few Sedona FP and Rollerball as well as JR Gentleman RB and FP and sure there is an empress RB in the mancave
or do I splash out on some Roman harvest
What do you think my learned friends

That has to be a personal choice Johnny myself I would go with the roman harvest or the likes it is an expensive wood nowadays so it deserves a tasty kit

 

[Penpal]

Kit choice however there is less heat and more timber left on a Slim than lots of other kits. If the timber is sourced from the guy on this site I questioned the wax all round on his and his reply was all dry. So rather than assume rough turn one of them to the round a top tip given me by my wife then hold the blank after being in the house for a while against your face if it feels cold that has proved a quick test of wet or dry as well. Sorry I have no real knowledge ofwhere you live or what the real weather is like except the news here sensationalise heavy snow and rain unseasonably for the UK. Wax turns off easy bit messy but so is a plastic pen IMHO.Another observation with Snakewood I glue it with Polyglue it also has some flexibility and try to avoid over tight pressing would rather glue a joint as a saving measure. In a swap one time with a great bloke in Texas he sent me a Snake blank as well fully split right through by the time it arrived to me, unpredictable but exciting grain. Soory I just read Swansea should be milder weather at the coast?

Peter.

 

[yorkshireman]

Anything except a slimline Johnny, can't wait to see the finished article

 

[Neil]

Depending on the length of the blank you might get a lucid a out of it as well as another pen, the lucida has lots of wood left on it.

 

[paulm]

As I take it you're NOT sending them to me I can't wait to see the photos of whatever you decide to make it with.

 

[johnny5]

As I take it you're NOT sending them to me I can't wait to see the photos of whatever you decide to make it with.

just spent a few quid on a couple of Roman Harvest from TB
Hopefully the blanks will be fine to use by the time they arrive.

Cant wait use the snakewood blanks , you will see my pens when they have been completed. hopefully without any splits

 

[Jim]

Definitely not on a Slimline, but this is your shout Johnny. The only one I ever made was on a Baron..

 

[Terry]

just spent a few quid on a couple of Roman Harvest from TB
Hopefully the blanks will be fine to use by the time they arrive.

Cant wait use the snakewood blanks , you will see my pens when they have been completed. hopefully without any splits

I hope you have bought a few spare tubes just in case you have problems and then you are not wasting excellent pens !!!!

 

[rowdyyates115]

Looking forward to the photos.
Go for a good kit not slim......

 

[johnny5]

I hope you have bought a few spare tubes just in case you have problems and then you are not wasting excellent pens !!!!

same thinking , two extra sets of tubes just in case

 

[Penpal]

Johnny I did not want to rain on your parade is why I posted separately also to show it is OK to make them and as Ive said before and believe every bloke with a motor bike should take of the exhaust and have a blast tick it off the bucket list. Have success.

Peter.