Thread: African Olive - any good for turning?

The best way to find out if a particulsr timber is suitable for turning is to mount a piece in the lathe and see what happens

Short answer is yes. Try and get the root balls as well as the main tree, often the best grain is in the bits below ground.

You could easily pass on a bit to me and I'll test it for you your not to far away at Razorback

Good score its real nice to turn smells divine.

Looks like I'll be helping my mate then . He was going to dry it for firewood because it burns well. I'll get a good stash.

Cheers,
peter

Originally Posted by Peter57

Looks like I'll be helping my mate then . He was going to dry it for firewood because it burns well. I'll get a good stash.

Cheers,
peter

NO quick go tell him its not good for his health ..........he'd have a 1000 woodies making effigies of him

Don't forget photos ...........please just to wash my eyes mind you

Pic from a local dealer:

http://www.cormarkint.com/wp-content..._b-150x150.jpg

Olive wood bowl blank prices here, USA:

https://www.westpennhardwoods.com/ca...9-531b9c84747b

Maybe I can spin some income to support by debilitating and expensive habit

Originally Posted by Peter57

.....He was going to dry it for firewood because it burns well.....

When I sometimes run across logs I find that after cutting them. especially for the lathe I have some very odd pieces. These odd pieces(thin and cracked) is what I pass on to a fellow who uses them as firewood.

I would suggest that you mention this to your friend so that he knows the waste will go back to him.

A beautiful timber .The little bit of it that I have turned had even more prominent grain than the olive tree that you get olives off, of which I have turned heaps . Get it cut down the pith ASAP as olive tends to split like mad.
Ted

Super sharp tools, prone to crack, finishes beautifully. My source is Razorback as well. It is a localised pest problem there so use as much as you can get your hands on. I found it much easier when it is three quarters dry rather than fully dry FWIW.

It is not like the food olive and the timber is very different to work. We have tried pickling the fruit but it is a waste of time.