Turning Lignum

[Gizmo3k]

Hi,

Last night I was turning a pen from a bit of Lignum Vitae, and was wondering if it is normal for the wood to feel 'waxy'?

It took a great finish off the tool, any sanding made it much worse until you got to very high grits (micro mesh) - is this normal?

It is pretty hard going on the tools too, isn't it?!?!

Still, it should be fairly nice when I fit some hardware to it!

 

[Woody]

L/V is a very oily wood in fact it is so oily it is self lubricating thats why they used to make block and tackles from it it will need a wipe over with a cloth and spirit before finishing

 

[paulm]

As Woody said... but its well worth the effort if you can stand the smell of it.

 

[Gizmo3k]

As Woody said... but its well worth the effort if you can stand the smell of it.

I had my mask on - I have heard it can irritate some people too.

I figured some carnuba wax would finish it nicely, would you recommend anything else?

 

[Penpal]

The use of Lignum Vitae as bearings in ships was common on the drive shaft the first pen I made from it was a scrap from such a bearing from a famous ship. It turns easily and finishes well perhaps not the best timber to finish with CA because of the natural oils. I use triple EEE and Carnauba stick

Peter.

 

[Dalboy]

it will need a wipe over with a cloth and spirit before finishing

The same applies when glueing it

 

[Woody]

I have one in my collection it is over 29 years old and oil is still coming out of it the original finish of sanding seal & carnauba wax has long gone but quick rub with a cotton cloth and it looks like new again

 

[paulm]

I had my mask on - I have heard it can irritate some people too.

I figured some carnuba wax would finish it nicely, would you recommend anything else?

I use ca on mine.

 

[Penpal]

A pic of a Lignum Pen done a while back cant remember if I used CA or Triple EEE. Paul mentioned a smell attached to this timber my smeller quit some time back only locking into full sensitivity at the cat scratch box or the whole time i was in India.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[wm460]

Never had a blank of LV to try yet.