GM

"Gordon Menzies"

18/09/2004 4:03 AM

Brazilian Rosewood

Hello

I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
the problem is none is available.
so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
the project involves wooden gears.
so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated

Gord


This topic has 24 replies

bb

"bob"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

18/09/2004 10:12 PM

Where do you live? Not too far from here I can buy all the "rosewood" (no
specifics given by supplier) I can carry for $10/BF.

Bob


"Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:PsO2d.456629$gE.322467@pd7tw3no...
> Hello
>
> I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
> the problem is none is available.
> so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
> the project involves wooden gears.
> so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated
>
> Gord
>
>

Aa

"AArDvarK"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 3:59 AM


> ******
> Yes, that is pretty normal. In Costa Rica "greenheart" will be what is
> called "ipê" in Brazil
> ******


So it's an ironwood. Wouldn't it be better than cocbolo, for strengths
against check(ing)? Better for chisel handles?

Alex

eN

[email protected] (Never Enough Money)

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

19/09/2004 9:31 AM

Lyptus. Cheaper than walnut or cherry. Very heavy. Machines well.
Environmentaly kinder since it's grown on farms.

http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/ourbusinesses/buildingproducts/buildingmaterials/ourproducts/lyptus/

http://www.specialtyforest.com/product/lumber/lyptus.htm

Looks good finished, too.




"Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<PsO2d.456629$gE.322467@pd7tw3no>...
> Hello
>
> I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
> the problem is none is available.
> so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
> the project involves wooden gears.
> so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated
>
> Gord

Pv

"P van Rijckevorsel"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 12:25 PM

Jim Wilson <[email protected]> schreef
> Greenheart is another name that is used for more than one species. Check
> to be sure what you're getting. I have even heard ipe called greenheart.

******
Yes, that is pretty normal. In Costa Rica "greenheart" will be what is
called "ipê" in Brazil
******

> Anyway, the main species I think is ocotea rodiaei.

******
Yes, but only one species {not "main"].
These days it is called Chlorocardium rodiei
[Chloros = green, cardia = heart; after Rodie, MD]
There is a second species in Chlorocardium, but it won't be traded

******
I have never worked
> with it, so I can't compare it to cocobolo, but the specs on the FPL
> website are impressive. Looks like it would make great outdoor furniture,
> among other things.
>
> Jim



Pv

"P van Rijckevorsel"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 12:31 PM

AArDvarK <[email protected]> schreef
> Steve what is the exact meaning of the word 'check' for wood?
> Alex

Wood Handbook:
"CHECK. A lengthwise separation of the wood ... commonly results from
stresses set up in wood during seasoning."

Basically a check is small relative to the piece of wood.
PvR

Pv

"P van Rijckevorsel"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 12:35 PM

Jim Wilson <[email protected]> schreef
> I really like Dalbergia stevensonii (Honduras Rosewood) and Dalbergia
> retusa (cocobolo). ... All the "Honduras" Rosewood I've bought actually
> came from Belize.

********
Only place it ever has been found.
PvR



Pv

"P van Rijckevorsel"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 12:35 PM

Gordon Menzies <[email protected]> schreef
> I am starting a new project soon. The plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
the problem is none is available. So I would like some possible
recommendation for a similar type of wood .
The project involves wooden gears. So stability is important. Any suggestion
will be greatly appreciated.

********
Lot of options
Also look at Platymiscium species.
PvR



Pv

"P van Rijckevorsel"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 1:30 PM

AArDvarK <[email protected]> schreef
> So it's an ironwood. Wouldn't it be better than cocobolo, for strengths
against check(ing)? Better for chisel handles?

*****
They are all "ironwoods".
Depends also on what you want in a chisel handle.

I have always been perferctly happy with hornbeam handles.
PvR

SK

Steve Knight

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 1:52 AM



>Jim do you know about greenheart and how it compares with cocobolo
>for splitting? (I don't know, I want to know which one splits less)

once cocobolo is fully dry it is pretty stable. but the pretty dry part is hard
to tell. only 3 or 4% too much moisture can cause it to check.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

Aa

"AArDvarK"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

21/09/2004 10:48 PM


> Greenheart is another name that is used for more than one species. Check
> to be sure what you're getting. I have even heard ipe called greenheart.
> Anyway, the main species I think is ocotea rodiaei. I have never worked
> with it, so I can't compare it to cocobolo, but the specs on the FPL
> website are impressive. Looks like it would make great outdoor furniture,
> among other things.



Thanks Jim, I am curious because it is the other choice, other than cocobolo,
for chisel handles from Harris tools, and those are sockets. Costa Rica.

Alex

SK

Steve Knight

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

18/09/2004 7:59 PM

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 04:03:59 GMT, "Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Hello
>
>I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
>the problem is none is available.

well it is at about 100.00 a bf (G)
cocobolo or Indian rosewood would be fine. ipe would work too.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

Aa

"AArDvarK"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

21/09/2004 12:41 PM


> I really like dalbergia stevensonii (Honduran Rosewood) and dalbergia
> retusa (cocobolo). The cocobolo has a greater tendency to split and can
> be hard to find dry. It also has a much greater variety of color and
> generally a wilder appearance. They are both fantastic to work; choose
> based on appearance. All the "Honduran" Rosewood I've bought actually
> came from Belize.


Jim do you know about greenheart and how it compares with cocobolo
for splitting? (I don't know, I want to know which one splits less)

Thanks,
Alex

Aa

"AArDvarK"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

21/09/2004 10:49 PM


> once cocobolo is fully dry it is pretty stable. but the pretty dry part is hard
> to tell. only 3 or 4% too much moisture can cause it to check.


Steve what is the exact meaning of the word 'check' for wood?
Alex

GA

"Gary A"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

20/09/2004 12:26 PM

If you need a rosewood, try cocobolo or Honduran rosewood. If you want to
substitute for a cheaper wood, try jatoba (brazilian cherry) or even use a
good dark piece of walnut or cherry.

Gary in KC



"Never Enough Money" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lyptus. Cheaper than walnut or cherry. Very heavy. Machines well.
> Environmentaly kinder since it's grown on farms.
>
>
http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/ourbusinesses/buildingproducts/buildingmaterials/ourproducts/lyptus/
>
> http://www.specialtyforest.com/product/lumber/lyptus.htm
>
> Looks good finished, too.
>
>
>
>
> "Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<PsO2d.456629$gE.322467@pd7tw3no>...
> > Hello
> >
> > I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood
.
> > the problem is none is available.
> > so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood
.
> > the project involves wooden gears.
> > so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated
> >
> > Gord

JW

Jim Wilson

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

21/09/2004 3:47 PM

I really like dalbergia stevensonii (Honduran Rosewood) and dalbergia
retusa (cocobolo). The cocobolo has a greater tendency to split and can
be hard to find dry. It also has a much greater variety of color and
generally a wilder appearance. They are both fantastic to work; choose
based on appearance. All the "Honduran" Rosewood I've bought actually
came from Belize.

I don't think Bolivian Rosewood is a dalbergia -- not that that really
matters -- but it could be another option for you. I've never used it.

Jim

pp

patriarch <[email protected]>

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

20/09/2004 3:09 AM

[email protected] (Never Enough Money) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Lyptus. Cheaper than walnut or cherry. Very heavy. Machines well.
> Environmentaly kinder since it's grown on farms.
>
> http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/ourbusinesses/buildingproducts/buildingmate
> rials/ourproducts/lyptus/
>
> http://www.specialtyforest.com/product/lumber/lyptus.htm
>
> Looks good finished, too.
>

But lyptus isn't anything like rosewood. A design change is in order,
somehow.

JW

Jim Wilson

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 3:42 AM

Steve Knight wrote...

> once cocobolo is fully dry it is pretty stable. but the pretty dry part
> is hard to tell. only 3 or 4% too much moisture can cause it to check.

Steve, I'm glad you posted this. I had written "split" when I meant
"check."

Properly dried, cocobolo has pretty good split resistance. Please excuse
the poor choice of words on my part.

Cheers!

Jim

JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

23/09/2004 10:48 AM

Gordon Menzies wrote:

> Hello
>
> I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
> the problem is none is available.
> so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
> the project involves wooden gears.
> so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated

Apple is traditional for gears but there are some tricks to using it.
Mesquite is stable, hard, strong, pretty good across the board, and
available at reasonable prices but it has a relatively open grain structure
that might or might not affect the performance of whatever you're making.

Google "wood selector"--there are several online--and plug in "stable",
"hard" and whatever else you think you'll need and you'll find some good
suggestions.

> Gord

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

RC

Richard Cline

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

21/09/2004 11:41 AM

In article <[email protected]>, Jim
Wilson <[email protected]> wrote:

I have nothing against rosewood but I have had good luck using
purpleheart in situations where durability was required. I made a
couple gate latches of purpleheart about 15 years ago and they are still
going strong. Both the latch and the strike plate are purpleheart.

Dick

> I really like dalbergia stevensonii (Honduran Rosewood) and dalbergia
> retusa (cocobolo). The cocobolo has a greater tendency to split and can
> be hard to find dry. It also has a much greater variety of color and
> generally a wilder appearance. They are both fantastic to work; choose
> based on appearance. All the "Honduran" Rosewood I've bought actually
> came from Belize.
>
> I don't think Bolivian Rosewood is a dalbergia -- not that that really
> matters -- but it could be another option for you. I've never used it.
>
> Jim

EP

"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

18/09/2004 2:25 PM



--

"Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:PsO2d.456629$gE.322467@pd7tw3no...
> Hello
>
> I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
> the problem is none is available.
> so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
> the project involves wooden gears.
> so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated
>
> Gord

Not Brazilian, but others rosewoods are here:
http://www.westpennhardwoods.com/exotic/index.php

St

"Sam the Cat"

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

18/09/2004 8:31 AM

Bolivian rosewood

"Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:PsO2d.456629$gE.322467@pd7tw3no...
> Hello
>
> I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
> the problem is none is available.
> so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
> the project involves wooden gears.
> so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated
>
> Gord
>
>

JW

Jim Wilson

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 3:37 AM

AArDvarK wrote...
> Jim do you know about greenheart and how it compares with cocobolo
> for splitting? (I don't know, I want to know which one splits less)

Greenheart is another name that is used for more than one species. Check
to be sure what you're getting. I have even heard ipe called greenheart.
Anyway, the main species I think is ocotea rodiaei. I have never worked
with it, so I can't compare it to cocobolo, but the specs on the FPL
website are impressive. Looks like it would make great outdoor furniture,
among other things.

Jim

SK

Steve Knight

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

22/09/2004 5:38 PM



>Steve, I'm glad you posted this. I had written "split" when I meant
>"check."
>
>Properly dried, cocobolo has pretty good split resistance. Please excuse
>the poor choice of words on my part.

(G) no problem. the wood can drive me nuts. I had a batch of 4/4 that read fine
and a few pieces a bit drier then normal. I built the planes shipped them off to
Iraq and one of them came apart a little bit. now all cocobolo goes in the
vacuum kiln just to make sure.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

rA

[email protected] (Adrian Mariano)

in reply to "Gordon Menzies" on 18/09/2004 4:03 AM

18/09/2004 1:33 PM

"Gordon Menzies" <[email protected]> writes:

>Hello

>I am starting a new project soon. the plans call for Brazilian Rosewood .
>the problem is none is available.
>so I would like some possible recommendation for a similar type of wood .
>the project involves wooden gears.
>so stability is important. any suggestion will be greatly appreciated

Teak? Padouk is also supposed to be very stable (but looks nothing
like rosewood). There are a bunch of other rosewoods (genus
Dalbergia), such as Honduran rosewood and Bolivian rosewood. Indian
Rosewood is alleged to be more stable than Brazilian. If you want
something really dense you could try African Blackwood which is
heavier than water (it's a Dalbergia too). I think these last two may
be available only as turning blanks so your project would have to be
small.



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