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Woodturning (rec.crafts.woodturning) To discuss tools, techniques, styles, materials, shows and competitions, education and educational materials related to woodturning. All skill levels are welcome, from art turners to production turners, beginners to masters. |
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#1
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
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/ |
#2
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
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 |
#3
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
"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 |
#4
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
"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 |
#5
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
"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 |
#6
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
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. |
#7
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
"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 |
#8
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
"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 |
#9
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Wood is where you find it -- desert ironwood
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 |
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