Imbuia?
 

AKA "Brazilian Walnut"...

I picked up a piece to use on a jewelry box I'm making for the daughter
for Christmas. Very interesting figure and a very interesting smell
that has filled the shop. Spicy...

A quick Google search reveals that like most exotics I should wear my
breathing gear, but does anyone have any hints on working this wood?

How does it glue? Finish (I'm planning to use shellac)? Any cautions
beyond not breathing the dust?

Dave Balderstone wrote:

AKA "Brazilian Walnut"...

I picked up a piece to use on a jewelry box I'm making for the daughter
for Christmas. Very interesting figure and a very interesting smell
that has filled the shop. Spicy...

A quick Google search reveals that like most exotics I should wear my
breathing gear, but does anyone have any hints on working this wood?

How does it glue? Finish (I'm planning to use shellac)? Any cautions
beyond not breathing the dust?

The following is from "Wood Identification & Use" by Terry Porter
Guild of Master Craftsman Publications ISBN 1-86108-377-7

"Imbuia Phoebe porosa (Lauraceae)

From Southern Brazil

Hase been compared to American walnut (Juglans nigra)

Works well with both had and machine tools, but the grain
is liable to pick up during planing unless a reduced cutter
angle is used. Wood nails, screws and glues well and it
can be stained and polished to a high finish.

Medium to small movement in service.

The sawdust can be an irritant to te nose, eyes and skin"


charlie b

I guess it varies from person to person, but I had an EXTREME and immediate
allergic reaction to the sawdust from that wood. Within 20 seconds of the
first cut, my nostrils, sinus passages and throat slammed shut, I gagged and
coughed and sneezed violently, my eyes itched to holy heaven. It was all I
could do to kill the saw and get out of the shop until the dust settled.

Be careful.

-jbb

"Dave Balderstone" wrote in message
tone.ca...
AKA "Brazilian Walnut"...

I picked up a piece to use on a jewelry box I'm making for the daughter
for Christmas. Very interesting figure and a very interesting smell
that has filled the shop. Spicy...

A quick Google search reveals that like most exotics I should wear my
breathing gear, but does anyone have any hints on working this wood?

How does it glue? Finish (I'm planning to use shellac)? Any cautions
beyond not breathing the dust?

Dave Balderstone wrote:

How does it glue? Finish (I'm planning to use shellac)? Any cautions
beyond not breathing the dust?

Imbuia glues up without any problems as it is not an oily wood. It
finishes wonderfully with shellac (I prefer super blond to bring out the
natural beauty of the wood). In my opinion it is much darker and richer
looking than American black walnut.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

"J.B. Bobbitt" wrote:

I guess it varies from person to person, but I had an EXTREME and immediate
allergic reaction to the sawdust from that wood. Within 20 seconds of the
first cut, my nostrils, sinus passages and throat slammed shut, I gagged and
coughed and sneezed violently, my eyes itched to holy heaven. It was all I
could do to kill the saw and get out of the shop until the dust settled.

Be careful.

Interesting. I have a similar reaction when I work with Ipe but have no
reaction to Imbuia.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

In article , charlie b
wrote:

Hase been compared to American walnut (Juglans nigra)

Works well with both had and machine tools, but the grain
is liable to pick up during planing unless a reduced cutter
angle is used. Wood nails, screws and glues well and it
can be stained and polished to a high finish.

Medium to small movement in service.

The sawdust can be an irritant to te nose, eyes and skin"

Beauty.

Thanks, Charlie.

I'm going to use it as base and top trim with cherry for the box. The
grain is gorgeous.

In article , J.B.
Bobbitt wrote:

I guess it varies from person to person, but I had an EXTREME and immediate
allergic reaction to the sawdust from that wood. Within 20 seconds of the
first cut, my nostrils, sinus passages and throat slammed shut, I gagged and
coughed and sneezed violently, my eyes itched to holy heaven. It was all I
could do to kill the saw and get out of the shop until the dust settled.

I had a histamine reaction to cocobolo a number of months back, so I'm
cautious with any of the exotics.

But based on your experience, perhaps I'll do a first cut and wait a
bit to see if I react.

Thanks for the info. I'd already planned to use the breathing mask,
I'll add goggles and log sleeves to the equation.

In article , Nova
wrote:

It
finishes wonderfully with shellac (I prefer super blond to bring out the
natural beauty of the wood).

I still have some superblond flakes, and that's what I was planning on
using.

Thanks, Jack.

Subject: Imbuia?
From: Dave Balderstone

The last time I cut some up was in 1978
and I can still smell it. One thing I did
notice was how quickly the piece I had
turned dark, so it should be finished
as soon as possible.