Replies

1. 
   Ricky_Yu | Jun 18, 2003 10:59am | #1

   The dimensions you list equal 3 bd ft and the price works out to be about $37.50/bf. Of course this is for 4x or 16/4 stock so the price is going to be up there. I have no experience in buying any appreciable quantity of lignum vitae, but I did pick up a 2" x 2" x 12" piece of turning stock at Rockler (southern California) for $10. That works out to be $30.00/bf. It's so beautiful I just wanted to have a piece of it around so I can look at it from time to time. I'd be interested to read what other people are paying in their area and the size and quantity of it.

1. 
   macalex | Jun 18, 2003 12:38pm | #2

   Can't answer the question, but I'll be very interested in any other responses. I have a few short 10-12 inch by 2 inch boards that I was given in the early 80s. I've been carrying it around ever since, and this past (southern hemisphere) summer, used a few pieces to make a couple of wooden planes. Exceptional timber, difficult to use, works more like brass than wood, soapy feel, nice figure and colour. HEAVY.

   If it was me, I'd buy it. What you gonna use it for?

   To see how mine looks, check out the small block plane post in the tools discussion, or in the gallery.

   Edited 6/18/2003 7:19:50 AM ET by kiwimac

1. 
   rckendall | Jun 18, 2003 03:23pm | #4

   Kiwimac,

   Thanks for your response. I remember seeing your little plane when it was first posted. It is really cute and well done. Oddly, it is a small plane similar to yours that started the whole thing with me.

   I have a compass plane made by Crown Plane that I've used for a while and every time I do, I get skinned up fingers etc. because it is so small. I set out to build a larger one from a kit (made by hock) and was encouraged to use lignum vitae on the sole. That piece was $5/lb and got me started. I enjoyed making the plane and it is now usable and what a joy. It is not very "nice", but the sole is very smooth and it seems to work well. I will probably make more planes in the future.

   The store (Japan Woodworker) has a plane made by James Krenov in their showcase and it was very heavy and still has bandsaw marks on the body. Done that way for better grip they say.

   Anyway, I'm still pondering this stuff and will look for further posts.

   Thanks again,

   Richard

1. 
   macalex | Jun 19, 2003 11:05am | #5

   I don't know how variable lignum vitae is, so maybe this comment doesn't apply in all cases, but I've found it very difficult to plane or scrape. I think the effect is called reverse grain. Alternate strips pull up. It happens in other tropical hardwoods, but this stuff is the worse. So I try to saw to near-final dimensions, then finish with sandpaper or a file. My thicknesser does a not bad job of dimensioning, if the grain orientation is favourable, but you can't rely on a good result straight from the machine.

   Good luck!

1. 
   Ricky_Yu | Jun 19, 2003 11:45am | #6

   I know what you mean. When I bought my stock, I tried some of my Lie-Nielsen planes on it and got terrible tear-out. The card scraper and scraping plane achieved marginally better results. I have since tuned up the planes and have gotten accepable results, although there is still some roughness in the "strips" as you call them. Perhaps a high-angle pitched blade might yield better results.

2. 
   rckendall | Jun 19, 2003 04:00pm | #7

   Kiwimac and Ricky,

   The thin piece I got from Japan Woodworker was close to proper size and didn't need thicknessing, except for the compound radius (I was making a compass plane). Wnen I did try to use a plane to get this radius, they mostly skidded across the surface (I bandsawed the fore/aft radius). I did get some done with them but went on to sanding and then to a card scraper for finish and was thrilled at the great results from scraping.

   I'm planning another trip to Japan Woodworkiner today so will check their supply.

   Thanks for the input.

   Richard

2. 
   rckendall | Jun 18, 2003 03:02pm | #3

   Ricky,

   Thanks for the input. I had not looked at it from a bd/ft standpoint because I thought it would be rediculous, but I guess as far as lignum vitae goes, it is not far out of line.

   I'm not going to rush over to buy it today but I guess I'm warming up to it.

   Thanks again,

   Richard

2. 
   migraine | Jun 20, 2003 03:05am | #8

   I believe that Tropical Exotic Hardoods of Latin Ameriaca in Carlbad, Ca. has it.  Also try Eisenbrand Hardwoods in Los Angeles,Ca.

1. 
   rckendall | Jun 20, 2003 06:29am | #10

   Migraine,

   Thanks for the sources. Now that I've checked this out a  little I don't believe I need to rush over to buy this large quantity. I will pick up a piece now and again at Japan Woodworker when I'm there.

   Thanks,

   Richard

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Jun 20, 2003 03:20am | #9

   Richard

      Lignue vitae is tough stuff. WWII ships propellor shaft bearing were made from it. One of the posters here still makes bearings for ship propellor shafts for the Great Lake ships. He is just over the Canadian border in Ontario.

      Dense, heavy and slightly oily. The price is about right, depending on the area and the quanity you purchase. Might try http://www.woodfinder.com to chek various prices and sources.

   Have fun...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   rckendall | Jun 20, 2003 06:32am | #11

   Sarge,

   Thanks for reminding me of this service. I checked them out and there are a few places around that carry it, so I don't feel compelled to buy such a large quantity.

   I added woodfinder to my favorites so I'll find them again.

   Thanks again,

   Richard

4. 
   ron61 | Jun 21, 2003 12:21am | #12

   Lignum vitae is it the same as- Osage Orange- Hedge Apple- Boise de arch-

   Makes the best Bows -

   Very hard dense heavy springy tough yellow wood- sunlight makes it turn a dark purplish brown.

   It grows every where in the Ozarks-

    Way back when farmers planted it to make Hedge rows "like a fence" 

5. 
   jtc | Jun 21, 2003 07:16pm | #13

   Richard-

   Sounds like you're in the Bay Area.  MacBeath sometimes has scraps of lignum in their $10/lb bin, but it depends what you want it for.  Usually they're just small turning blocks (I used it once for a mallet head).  I can't imagine buying a large quantity of the stuff unless you really want to make yourself a new set of tools.  Also, Woods Unlimited in San Leandro sometimes has good prices (but sometimes not).

1. 
   rckendall | Jun 22, 2003 12:50am | #14

   JTC,

   Yes, I'm in the Bay Area and I did check with MacBeath today and they have 2"x2"x12" pieces that run $37 bd/ft. They also have some larger pieces, but didn't check them out. I again went to Japan Woodworker and they do have pieces just right for plane bottoms that run $12-16. That seems to be the most practicle way to buy it for me, just pick up a piece now and again when I'm over there.

   Thanks for the tip,

   Richard