Lignum Vitae

I have just saved a piece of lignum vitae, about 6" X 4" X 2", from going into the bin. Now I've got it, what might it be useful for please?

Maurice

It would make a couple of nice small mallets

... Or lots of bearings.

MichaelG.

Hi Maurice,

As you probably know it is one of the hardest and heaviest of woods to try and do anything with.

It sinks in water and not many woods do that!

If it is still green and not a really old piece you might be able cut it with a decent Tungsten blade,in a circular saw bench, it stalled a 2hp machine when I tried however if it is a seasoned piece it will be very difficult to cut it.

 it might turn ok but again its hard. I used to send bowls woods away to be remodelled, and if there was the smallest crack in them they (Thomas Taylors) would refuse to do anything to it.

It would make nice plinth for a model perhaps or if you can turn it a small ornament.

Or alternatively put on the Bay and let someone else hassle with it.

Finally if you do decide to put it on the fire (I know) it does not burn very well - coal burns quicker! It just smoulders.

Good luck!

Edited By densleigh on 27/09/2016 19:54:33

Traditionally used for the bearings for ship propeller shafts. I bought a square from a turnery supplier once 'cos I thought it might come in useful. The only thing I've used it for so far is to make some new guides for my old B&D bandsaw.

Cheers,

Rod

Rods right, it's self lubricating in sea water

Mick

Thanks for the replies gents, looks like I rescued a door stop!

Maurice

Amazingly useful and tough, it's like a very hard plastic. You don't hear about it much now because of ecological reasons and there are other materials which can do the same job.

A bit about it here

Hardwood and Ivory Turners ("Bone Grubbers" ) would probably have made a chuck with it Maurice - although they mostly used boxwood chucks, probably on the grounds of cost.

Tubal Cain (when describing Ornamental turning methods) suggested it could be used for chucks (and also small faceplates) on account of its stability. He also says that it "turns very well indeed and will accept deep cut decoration" - so I'd guess it would be valued by any ornamental turner as a workable 'material' in its own right.

By the way - anyone who wants to know about traditional hardwood and ivory turning (bone grubbers) should read Bill Jones' books on the subject. I'm not a wood or ornamental turner myself but I found them a fascinating and useful read. Bill was a professional turner and craftsman, following in his fathers footsteps. He was also an early member of The Society of Ornamental Turners, so possibly knew Tubal Cain (TD Walshaw) too. I think the books are based on Bills articles on turning published in 'Woodturning' over many years.

Bill Jones - Notes from the Turning Shop (and Further Notes from the Turning Shop) - ISBN 1-86108-017-4 (& ISBN 1-86108-036-0)

Sorry - drifting off topic I know - and a bit away from the metal torture I normally entertain myself with but if you can find a copy of either books (published 1996/1997) they are a very entertaining read.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 27/09/2016 21:33:21

Makes excellent tool handles (think Purdey turnscrews) and is easily cut with a fretsaw. Metalworking tools and techniques work better than woodworking until it's time to sand and finish.

Bob

It's still used for stern tube bearings in certain submarines. Sea water lubricated and quieter than metal bearings.

So you might have yourself the start of an underwater modelling project.

It will take a thread.

Some quite nice pens have been made with it. A block could be cut up into quite a few pen size rods.

For ornamental turning it is supposed to be one of the best woods you can find. Take a look at TD Walshaw (Tubal Cain)'s book here **LINK**

Regards,

Richard

TC took a long piece and drilled a series of holes in it, then cut a split in it almost to the end. It could then be held in a vice and used as a 'non-marking jaw' for small round parts.

Neil

Interesting timber. Have also seen it used in woodwinds as an alternative to African Blackwood and ebony.

Harrison Clocks

A friend was given a set of Lignum Vetae lawn bowls, I think most of them were cut in quarters, then converted into salt and pepper sets. Although a wood turner, he had difficulty handling the wood using carbon steel lathe tools, take a slice, sharpen tool, he ended up getting some HSS lathe tools.

Ian S C