Shopsmith Forums

Anyone heard of this? Supposedly it's an African hardwood. I've asked the eBay seller about it, but haven't heard a thing.

The wood is beautiful with numerous (see pictures) growth bands with very tight grain. It's an absolute bear to turn though.

I'd love to know what this stuff is. I can't find it via Google or in any on-line encyclopedia. I don't need to know much. Just what sort of plant it is, where it grows, and how it happens to look the way it does.

Here's full pen. The sliver object in the first picture is a quarter. Note the grain.



Here's a closeup. The silver object in the lower right is the quarter.



If anyone knows what this wood is I'd greatly appreciate knowing more about it.

The stuff is darned hard to turn. If I get it below a certain diameter it fractures on the brass tube. I've made four attempts at turnings and this is the only one that came out. I suspect because I didn't get the diameter any smaller than you see here.

It's too thick though and you can see chips near the pen tip. There are also some "divots" in the barrel. The "finish" you see here is just the result of buffing with white polish. No oil or other finish has been applied.

Hi wmjbean,

I just did a Google Search. Used the words "Zangara wood". Came up with a few entries, including this thread of this forum! I suggest you try. It looks like there is some info like what you want.

http://www.curiouswoods.com/

We have a Curtis Lumber up here in NY. They have pen kits. I haven't seen this type of wood.

http://www.curtislumber.com/

does anyone know where to get pen kits that except Paypal

I thought I saw some (the name rings a bell) of this at my local Rockler.. Perhaps not though.. I can't see your pics currently (they're showing up as unavailable -- perhaps Flickr is down for maint.) Anyway, I might go over there this weekend and will keep an eye out..