Ironwood..300 kg. of it

Hi Friends

I have just become the owner of about 300 kg ironwood, a friend gave it to me....the wood is very heavy and hard, and I wonder if I was given a curse....
The meassures allow me to make shohin displaytables, jittas and daizas from it....

BUT, is it possible to work in it?, and does the finished product look nice?
I ask you guys and girls, who have tried it....please let me know what you think of it. And please feel free to post a photo of a produkt made from ironwood in this topic.
Shall I keep the wood, or should I just let it sink in the ocean

Kind regards Yvonne

I can think of half a dozen trees and shrubs that carry the common name "ironwood." There probably are more. Can you provide us with at least the Genus?

Hi Jim

Sory, I cant...I only know this wood is dark. and very dense, and sink, if it is thrown in the water.

Kind regards Yvonne

Yvonne Graubaek wrote:Hi Jim

Sory, I cant...I only know this wood is dark. and very dense, and sink, if it is thrown in the water.

Kind regards Yvonne

Just curious Have you done this water test with the wood?

Hi Billy

Yes it does sink, all out of reach, if the water is deep enough...we tried yesterday in a lake....
Someone told me it could be asobe.

Kind regards yvonne

Where are you located? Any idea where the wood originated. If it is desert Ironwood out of America, I believe it is illegal, and extremely toxic to breath the saw dust. Once we get into Asia we are out of my league a bit. I know Lignum Vitae sinks in water, never heard it called iron wood though but it is the hardest wood in existence- takes on a greenish cast when left exposed to air. Mind posting some pictures of the wood?

Hi Austinh

I found the label on one of the bits...it said azobe. I did not google the name yet, but will as soon as this post is shipped. I dont belive azobe is illigal in Denmark, but if it toxic?, I have no idea, but very interesting for me, as i eat a lot of sawdust, whn carving...does anyone on IBC know?



As you can see is the grain in the wood, very dense and lovely.

Kind regards Yvonne

Yvonne

The sawdust of many types of wood can be harmful if taken into the lungs, if you do a lot of carving that produces fine dust; it is probably a good idea to wear a facemask similar to what is worn in medical facilities. In the US these masks can usually be purchased at pharmacies and even some home improvement centers sell them to be worn while spray painting.

Billy

Hi Yvonne,
Could this be the one?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lophira_alata

Regards,

Derick

Hi Billy

I have big problems with wearing theese masks, as they reach my glasses, and the damp from breathing mess up everything for me.

Instead am i trying to work, when the wind is right...I stand in a open garage, some wind will remove the dust, other wind will blow it right into my face...on theese days do i not carve.

After looking at the closeup photos, does it look to me, like the wood is what is in china called chickenwing....at least, is it just as pretty.

Hi Dexworks

Thanks for the link...I'll take a look, and come back....Took a look, it kcould very well be this kind of wood...thanks again

Kind regards yvonne

Yvonne

Some tools also come with attachments that allow vacuum cleaners to be hooked up sucking the dust away.

Billy

Hi Billy

I know that, but i only have a small proxon...a tool smaller than a dremel....a dremel is too heavy, my arms a far from what they used to be.
I have a open garage, a table and a lamp, a saw and a few tools...I dont have the money or interest, in trying to do it proffesionel.

Kind regards Yvonne

Hello,
To me it looks like azobé,
this African ironwood is used a lot here in Northern Europe for special and durable constructions.
These days all the wood is certified i think but as this is an old piece it could be before these regulations.
As far as i know it can give skin problems, itching or inflammation.
The grain of the wood is a bit a problem as it goes in different directions, a bit of attention is needed here.
Gif it a chance.
Sunip

Hi Sunip

I will take care, and watch for itching and inflammation...
This wood is newly bought....it is the leftowers, after a boathouse was build near our house...but I am sure it is legal.
I will take some of it into the house, to see if it crack.
Yes the grain go in diffrent direction...look forward to try it...it maybe is impossible for me to work, lets see.

Kind regards Yvonne

Hi Yvonne, you could get a plastic respirator mask with dust cartridges. These masks create a seal around your face and the water vapour from breath escapes only through the catridges. Fogging glasses is less of a problem with a well fitted respirator than it is with a paper mask, also much better protection factor.

Hi Monte

many thanks...I will take a closer look at the plastic masks, as you say, they are better...but i fear it sounds a bit claustrofobic for me.

kind regards yvonne