Thread: Norfolk Island Hibiscus

I think I just wet myself . White gold I'm so keen to get more of this stuff I grew some from seed and planted them in the backyard!!! It's one of the whitest timbers I've seen if it is dried properly (eg: sawn, stickered and allowed to breathe well) and is an absolute pleasure to work with machines or hand tools. It sands easily and if you wax it instead of an oil or varnish type finish, it comes up looking like Ivory. If you weren't so damn far away I'd happily come and take it off your hands but . .

I had a few precious pieces and made a couple of while finials with this wood. Its great.

If you want the precious white wood, cut it as small as practical and coat with an anti-fungal from your local nursery will do, then after the spray drying, spay with Boron dissolved in water. This is about the only time I would use the good Boron and not Borax as it will retain the white better and avoid any yellowing. Then seal ends and stack well in well ventilated but dry area.

If you want some spalted sections, just block it noting growing direction, then stack it on some mouldy concrete or a damp area with the bottom of the blocks on the bottom. Also place something over the top end so it is protected from moisture entry. As it dries the moisture and mouldy spores will then be drawn into the timber. If you can find any of that orange fungus around, grind it up into a paste and place on the bottom of the blocks.

Thanks for the info.
Any view on the best way to cut it? Slab it, quarter sawn?
Is there much difference between the sapwood and heart?

Cheers.

Can't say I am familiar with milling this timber but I would have thought quarter sawn is more stable. Perhaps TTIT can shed some light

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Can't say I am familiar with milling this timber but I would have thought quarter sawn is more stable. Perhaps TTIT can shed some light

With a log that size I would definitely try quarter-sawing it. The pieces I have were just sliced through and the outer slices (backsawn) did cup quite a bit which quarter sawing will avoid.

Thanks for the input.
I should be able to mill it on the band saw with some willing assistants.
I'm keen to see how it turns out.

Don't forget, even left over scraps can make good pen blanks or finials