Snakewood

[rodl]

hI all
I am a new member and thought i would put in this question
Does anybody know where I can get South American Snakewood from (apart fron south america that is) would prefer some wwhere around Melbourne but would try any where in Australia...
rodl:)

[ian]

Rod

welcome

May I ask two questions?
how much do you need?
why does it have to be South American snakewood?

If you can't find any locally you should be able to import small quantities from the US. If you go this route, get the supplier to send it by US post, not UPS or another courier company. The couriers will often bill you a customs clearance fee that translates to "ha ha we've found a way to charge you $200 for doing nothing"

If you're following a plan that calls for this particular wood, you may like to investigate substitutes.

ian

[arose62]

Pretty sure I've seen something labelled snakewood at Trend Timbers.

They're Windsor, NSW, but I'm sure they'd ship.

Cheers,
Andrew

[Stuart]

Seen some at Melbourne Carbatec. Bloody expensive, but amazing.

[rowie]

how much?

[Stuart]

Something like a couple hundred for a few slivers. Can't remember exactly now- been a few weeks since I was in there, but I'm sure the snakewood will still be there :) It is about 200mm long, 50-75mm wide, and is in a pack that looks like it was all resawn from the same branch.

Hopefully someone will be heading in there shortly, and can find out more details.

[Wild Dingo]

mmmm wondering here... when I lived in Carnarvon there was a tree there that was called snakewood I made a couple of walking sticks from it once... its a wiry spindly tree grows to about 2mts the 1/4in bark is a mongrel to get off as it has fine fine VERY FINE spines in it right down to wood... the wood itself is amazingly colored with dark and light colors "snaking" up the wood and its as hard as nails! most trees I saw were mostly 2mtrs and less spindley as I said and the truck was possibly 8in around max while the branches averaged around 3 - 4in... but a right buggar to work!... Im wondering if thats the same sort of stuff your after?

[rodl]

I am using it for draw fronts on a jewellery box for ""she who must be obeyed who seen a picture of snakewood and said that is what I want on the front"" it has 5 draws each draw is 130mm x 225mm.

If I can't get snakewood any suggestions on what I can use that has a nice showy grain when dressed
Rod

[rowie]

I am using it for draw fronts on a jewellery box for ""she who must be obeyed who seen a picture of snakewood and said that is what I want on the front"" it has 5 draws each draw is 130mm x 225mm.

If I can't get snakewood any suggestions on what I can use that has a nice showy grain when dressed
Rod
some q'sawn Tassie Tiger Myrtle will give you exactly the same effect as the Snakewood, only much cheaper;) All u have to do is talk the boss into it :p

[Auld Bassoon]

Pics, chaps, pics!

Let's see some pics of Snakewood and Tassie Tiger Myrtle. Please :)

[Grizz]

Before I go any further, I don't have any interest in the sites to which I am providing links :).

http://www.exoticwoodgroup.com/order_snakewood.htm

http://ajh-knives.com/xylo-2.html

May be some similarity with the local species, but it looks like it might be pricey too.

Grizz.

[Dan]

Pics of Planes (http://www.hntgordon.com.au/gallerysnakewood.htm) made from Snakewood.
Story (http://www.hntgordon.com.au/newslettersold.htm) about buying Snakewood (newsletter #4).
More (http://www.hntgordon.com.au/snakewood.htm) pics and info on Snakewood.

[Grizz]

Dan, that's one beutiful wood. Those planes look fantastic.

Grizz.

[ian]

I am using it for draw fronts on a jewellery box for ""she who must be obeyed who seen a picture of snakewood and said that is what I want on the front"" it has 5 draws each draw is 130mm x 225mm.

If I can't get snakewood any suggestions on what I can use that has a nice showy grain when dressedRod,

those are mighty big drawers, more like a filing cabinet than a jewellery box.

I'm surmising that what SWMBO wants to see is dark very showy wood
options that spring to mind are:
one of the sheoaks — which can have spectacular grain but are very tough to work
http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/d/9595-2/australian_silky_oak_05.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=a6c994cffbd5a223121631f37b946efd (http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/d/9595-2/australian_silky_oak_05.jpg)
while this is is described on its home web page http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/fellowship/randysamos/RS-Armory/Get-a-grip/australian_silky_oak_05.jpg.html as silky oak, somewhere I've a piece of "sheoak" with almost exactly the same grain pattern

another alternative is Queensland Silky Oak
http://www.jackspiraguitars.com/silkyoak-1.jpg
original at http://www.jackspiraguitars.com/Timber.htm

either might be an acceptable alternative


ian

[martrix]

What about some Camphor Burl veneer? (Cinnamomum sp.) S.E. Asia

If interested I have some sheets of the veneer pictured.

[reeves]

th epic of the gun is definaltey Rose Sheok.

Snakewood, either brazilian or from Surinam, you will probably need to get from outside australia and it will be expensive

Vince Manna in melbourne might know where a stash of it is...
http://www.timberlinedesigns.com.au/

check these sites
http://www.thewoodbox.com/figuredwood/Snakewood.htm
http://www.hibdonhardwood.com/speciesinfo/snakewood.asp
http://www.exotic-wood-snakewood.com/home.htm

cheeeeeeers
john

[Stuart]

Snakewood is available here in Melbourne as I said. I was in Carbatec on Friday, and they have quite a bit, (and a price to match).

Melbourne is not overseas, and if they have it, other Carbatecs (including Qld) will be able to get it if they don't already have it.

[soundman]

There are plenty of good easiliy available fancy timbers, try & get her interested in something cheaper & easier.

cheers

[rodl]

Thanks to all who answered I have almost talked ""she who must be obeyed"" into letting me use northern black wattle that i have aquired
Rod