Hi everyone,
Just picked up some jatoba from Brazil. I have never used anything exotic, so I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with it? Specially I want to know if Type III Titebond will work? What finishing possibilities are there out there for this wood?
Thanks, Anthony
Replies
Jatoba is really easy to work.All the usual glues and finishes will work fine.My preference for finishing Jatoba is lacquer or satin poly.
Brent
Pretty managageable material, tho there are some suprises. Heavy, mills well, accept most PV adhesives. Stable, strong, good for my squares. I use yellow glue, and finish with urethane spray. Very serviceable material.
Any clear finish will look good on this wood. It is HARD, and often is high in silicates. Be prepared for toold to dull.
Hey AJ,
I discovered jatoba late last year, and it is one of my favorite bow woods. It is available in clear lengths, with straight grain, and little, or no run out. It machines well, and is tough and elastic (essential qualities for longbows). In addition to all that, it is an attractive wood as well, with a color similar to a light mohogany.
I've glued it with urea-formaldehyde, pva (titebond) and epoxy; all with good results. I've finished it with shellac, and also nitro lacquer. I think it would take most any finish well.
Tom
Hello Aj,
Re Jatoba:- I have used it to make bar counter tops and a couple of solid carcase chests. Basically I think it is good stuff and well rewards the effort one puts into it. It is heavy and very hard and can have silica /abrasive stuff, so some hand tools may struggle, but scrapes easily, no problems with normal glues,pre- cat lacquers etc.Machines well, preferably with carbide or the best h/s cutters. Stability is good i.e easily managed with the correct methods.
I have not waxed or oiled it , but would think that it would be happy with a shellac seal coat followed by oiling or waxing.
What are you wanting to make with it ?
Edited 5/29/2005 4:01 am ET by mookaroid
AJ,
I bought a job-lot of Jatoba shorts very cheap about twelve years ago and spent the next year turning it into wall panels around a section of my house's boundary. It works well albeit heavily on the cutters. The best adhesive available then was a 2 pack epoxy but I think Titebond III would work as well. I finished with Rubbol, a commercial water based timber preservative, which I have applied twice since. The panels remain straight and still look good. And they are seemingly impervious to termite attack; more a property of the timber than the preservative, I think.
Regards
Why do you want to use TB III? Is the item going to be used underwater?
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