Ironwood - hard to work?

kenharry · Post by **kenharry** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:50 am

I bought a couple of pieces of ironwood to make a couple of pens out of, and have had back luck trying to use it. First one, got drilled, tubes mounted, 80% turned and then snapped a chunk off down to the tube.

Sawed a couple of new pieces last night, and when I went to drill the first one, split it in 3 places towards the end of the piece.

In both instances, I was going easy with them. Perhaps it just needs more finesse than with other woods I've dealt with through the years? This is my first experience with it. It's a gorgeous wood and am interested in more projects with it if I can understand it better.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:04 am

Ken, I've visited a couple workshops(??) that make ironwood carvings in Mexico.
They work the wood with rasps and pieces of glass and, their home made lathes turn very slowly. Never saw a lathe tool or tool rest!

I am not a turner but I've had some success with cutting intricate router profiles in old and dry Boise' d arc (very hard wood) by soaking it for a few hours in a solution of fabric softener and water.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:34 am

I don't know if it is same wood but the ironwood I'm familiar with is also very dangerous to work with. Splinters will almost always fester.

The wood I know came from a people walk along side one of the bridges that was being remodeled here in Tampa Bay. At the time the wood was made available to our wood workers club but carried a warning of how dangerous it was.

I heard that and shied away.

I know a few guys got some and they all remarked how hard and nasty the stuff was.

wrmnfzy · Post by **wrmnfzy** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:49 pm

Way back when Inhad a nightstick made out of lignum vitae, aka iron wood. I was a light a.. 155 lb police officer and needed all the help,I could get in a bind.

Police can't use that anymore,too brutal, most use plastic ones. They use to use it to make ball bearings for ships during WWII, when they couldn't get metal.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:16 pm

There are a bunch of treeswhose lumber is called "ironwood".
I'm betting the OP is referring to Olneya tesota, sold by Woodworker's Source in Tucson.
As can be seen if you click on the link, it is some beautiful stuff.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:23 am

wrmnfzy wrote: . . . They use to use it to make ball bearings for ships during WWII, when they couldn't get metal.

Methinks a bushing bearing block would be more accurate. The wood being 'waxey' was 'self lubricating' to a degree. It makes nice bandsaw blade guides!

skou · Post by **skou** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:17 am

&quot wrote:Methinks a bushing bearing block would be more accurate. The wood being 'waxey' was 'self lubricating' to a degree. It makes nice bandsaw blade guides!

And, if I'm not mistaken (possibility!) they're still using it for stuffing boxes (prop shaft seals) on nuclear subs.

steve

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Ironwood - hard to work?

Ironwood - hard to work?

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