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John Saxton
10th October 2000, 09:35 PM
Has anybody had a crack(pardon the pun)at turning the big banksia nuts that are generally seen around the traps.
I live in an area surrounded by bush predominately including a profusion of various banksias and have managed to fill a couple of sacks of nuts but to date have not turned them having soaked them in a mixture of kero/water to kill off any white ants.
I have seen a number of articles turned which have some appeal and I was wondering how if any of you have found them on the lathe.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

Iain
11th October 2000, 07:22 AM
Iv'e got a recipe for a desk clock using these little brutes, will email it to you including plans for the jig. Apparently it's a bugger to turn.

MJ
11th October 2000, 10:13 PM
The National Geographic shops aroud Brisbane sell small vases and such made from Banksia nuts. They look very simple to make, just a 40-50mm cebtre hole bored by what looks like a forstner bit and a bit of a curve on the outside. They sell for about thirty dollars!!! and they look like about ten minutes work.

I dunno, but someone must be buying them.

Jacko

Iain
12th October 2000, 07:33 AM
The clock is similar and uses a forstner bit but it must not be a saw tooth edge, apparently it does nasty things. I am still looking for the plan and I know it is around somewhere. I recall reading that when turning lumps come adrift that have sharp edges so eye protection is an absolute must.

John Saxton
12th October 2000, 02:57 PM
I coudn't believe that they were charging something like $4.00 ea. for these when I visited the Brissie WW show earlier this year!
I have them lying on the ground full of white-ants that seem to take to them,they must be completely nuts(groan).
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

JackoH
12th October 2000, 04:54 PM
Those little brown hairs are hell if you get them inside your clothes! I turned a couple of candlesticks once, never again.
John H. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/frown.gif

RETIRED
12th October 2000, 05:15 PM
Sure you weren't moulting John? http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/eek.gif

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"



[This message has been edited by (edited 12 October 2000).]