Bruce, might want to take a look at this:

http://www.tamarindwoodturning.com/T...onstration.htm

Bruce Ferguson wrote:
The tagua nut is about the size of a medium egg. the
banksia pod is about 10" long and about 3" in diameter at the widest part.
So far I have not found too much on the "how to" with either. I consider
myself a novice with basic tools. Nothing small to use on the tagua nut and
I am still not sure what to do with the pod. Since I only have one of each
I hope I don't muck them up.

Bruce