Several months ago I found what looked to be a large limb in an antique
shop. When I picked it up I could not believe how heavy it was -- on close
examination, I knew immediately what it was -- Desert Ironwood. I paid $3
for it. It was decades old, dirty and gnarled, but still promising. I
turned it down to get to the heartwood and was disappointed in the amount
which ended up on the floor, but what was left looked promising. I looked
at that cylinder for a long time, trying to come up with a shape which would
make the most of what was left. Here's what I came up with.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65j/ironwood_box.jpg

I have been turning for a couple of years -- here are some of my other
projects.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65j/woodturning.html

--
Ken Vaughn
Visit My Workshop: http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65j/

nice box

On Sat, 29 May 2004 00:18:36 GMT, "Ken Vaughn"
wrote:

Several months ago I found what looked to be a large limb in an antique
shop. When I picked it up I could not believe how heavy it was -- on close
examination, I knew immediately what it was -- Desert Ironwood. I paid $3
for it. It was decades old, dirty and gnarled, but still promising. I
turned it down to get to the heartwood and was disappointed in the amount
which ended up on the floor, but what was left looked promising. I looked
at that cylinder for a long time, trying to come up with a shape which would
make the most of what was left. Here's what I came up with.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65j/ironwood_box.jpg

I have been turning for a couple of years -- here are some of my other
projects.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65j/woodturning.html

"Ken Vaughn" wrote in message

Several months ago I found what looked to be a large limb in an antique
shop. When I picked it up I could not believe how heavy it was -- on
close
examination, I knew immediately what it was -- Desert Ironwood. I paid $3
for it. It was decades old, dirty and gnarled, but still promising. I
turned it down to get to the heartwood and was disappointed in the amount
which ended up on the floor, but what was left looked promising. I looked
at that cylinder for a long time, trying to come up with a shape which
would
make the most of what was left. Here's what I came up with.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65j/ironwood_box.jpg

Very nice, as are the rest of your turnings, Ken.

Around a decade ago we purchased some desert ironwood carvings which were
primitive, but nicely finished and quite attractive. Since then I've
attempted to find some of that wood, but without success. Your find was
fortuitous. Guess I'll keep searching.

Max

"Maxprop" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Around a decade ago we purchased some desert ironwood carvings which were
primitive, but nicely finished and quite attractive. Since then I've
attempted to find some of that wood, but without success. Your find was
fortuitous. Guess I'll keep searching.

Max

I also have several of the carvings also which I purchased in Mexico. I
find them in thrift shops from time to time, almost always carved in the
shape of fish, animals or birds. I have picked up a few with broken fins,
beaks, feet, etc. to cut up for pen blanks. They are usually dark brown on
the exterior, but often gold or orange brown inside. The piece I turned
into the box was also dark on the exposed portions, but had some wonderful
gold color inside. I expect that it will darken with age also.

Ken

"Ken Vaughn" wrote in message
ink.net...
"Maxprop" wrote in message

SNIP................
The piece I turned
into the box was also dark on the exposed portions, but had some wonderful
gold color inside. I expect that it will darken with age also.
============================
If you use a finish with a UV blocker, it will slow the darkening. It's not
a true preventative, but will help preserve the colors a while longer.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX

Ken, beautiful, I believe you got your $3.00 worth. I am going to keep my eye
open for old chunks of wood when my wife drags me into antique shops from now
on. Thanks for the tip.
Nashville, Ga.

"Ken Vaughn" wrote in message
I also have several of the carvings also which I purchased in Mexico. I
find them in thrift shops from time to time, almost always carved in the
shape of fish, animals or birds. I have picked up a few with broken fins,
beaks, feet, etc. to cut up for pen blanks. They are usually dark brown
on
the exterior, but often gold or orange brown inside. The piece I turned
into the box was also dark on the exposed portions, but had some wonderful
gold color inside. I expect that it will darken with age also.

Ah, I learned something today. So, apparently the wood darkens with age and
exposure to what? UV? Air? I assumed the dark brown color was natural
heartwood. Or perhaps a stain used by the Central American carvers.

Max

"Maxprop" wrote in message
ink.net...

Ah, I learned something today. So, apparently the wood darkens with age
and
exposure to what? UV? Air? I assumed the dark brown color was natural
heartwood. Or perhaps a stain used by the Central American carvers.

Max

The limited amount of ironwood that I have cut has always had some gold or
light brown mixed with the streaks of very dark brown, almost black
sections. (See John McGaw's posts on topic). The carvings that I have seen
and/or purchased are almost always dark brown and fairly uniform in color.
I suspect that the carvers apply some sort of stain or top coating to make
the color uniform. I read somewhere that they use brown boot stain and/or
brown shoe wax, but that may just be some misinformation.

Ken

I read somewhere that they use brown boot stain and/or
brown shoe wax, but that may just be some misinformation.

I met a carver who worked in ironwood at a show in Houston several years ago.
He did use shoe polish as his finish

Kip Powers
Rogers, AR

"Kip055" wrote in message
...
I read somewhere that they use brown boot stain and/or
brown shoe wax, but that may just be some misinformation.

I met a carver who worked in ironwood at a show in Houston several years
ago.
He did use shoe polish as his finish
=================================
Shoe/boot dye is a common means of coloring wood, but you have to be sure
you're getting the spirit/solvent based dye. Some of the "dyes" are more
like ordinary liquid shoe polish, and don't penetrate the wood surface; just
sort of sits on top, like a paint. What I use is Fiebing's dyes. Started
using it 45 years ago for my boots in the Marines and haven't had occasion
to change it. It smells like it may have toluol or toluene in it, so work
with it in a ventilated area. Let dry overnight, brush with soft shoe brush,
then wax with either wood wax or good (Kiwi or equevalent) shoe wax. Polish
with soft cloth, sprinkling with a few drops of water as you finish.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX