Thread: Norfolk Island pine...?

ok, the need for the Norfolk pine is just a desire to try some different woods. I saw a pic of an NF bowl in the 500 bowls book and it looks interesting if not challenging.

recenlty i have been turning a little pine, having normally avoided the stuff, tried some Hoop, some Bunya and some other non id'ed hard white pine. I find it interesting so i f anyone has some i am happy to swap for it

THe NF isAraucaria heterophylla. I am developing a passion for the Araucaria's. I have Hoop and Bunya, so the NF is just completing my collection.

I dont expect any Wollemi anytime soon..;-)

cheeeeeeers
john

Hi John,

I may be able to help. Got a couple of large lumps - short logs sealed that have been sitting for several years. I wouldn't say that they'd be dry yet but NIP is very stable green.

I've also been trying to spalt some or at least get some fungal stain. With this stain, and the piece thin-turned and soaked in poly some turners have been able to produce some amazing translucent pieces with red and green flares.

I'll look more closely tonight at the bank; should be able to do 12 x 4 x 4 and prob a bowl blank close to 10". Be happy to swap for a couple of bowl blanks with interesting figure. PM me with some options.

Hi John,

I'll pack the NIP tomorrow and send it off Mon or Tues. What's your address?

The blanks seem pretty dry now; tested them with a cheap moisture meter in comparison with the bowl blank cut from the log.

Cheers,

Ern

PS Your forum PM quota is full otherwise I wouldn've used it.

An interesting thing anout Norfolk Island Pine is that in the 18th Century, the British Admiralty had reports of the height and straightness of NF pines and thiught that maybe they'd make great masts for their sailing ships.

This is the main reason that the second penal colony in the South Pacific was established there in c 1790.

It turned out however that NF pine was not much good for masts. The island was a great place for sadists though.
Have a look at the record of Fevoux who was the most notorious Governor of the joint.

I don't think I've ever seen a worked piece of NF pine. I'd like to though.

So if anyone has some pics, post away!

http://www.woodturner.org/photopost/...cat=500&page=1

is the only one I can find. Perhaps try World of Woodturners for other work by Chris Allen.

Edit: Yep, go to Photos - Galleries - Chris Allen

I've found it very stable when green so wouldn't be surprised if it had been tried for masts. Patricick O'Brien mentions it in his novels and his research was supposed to be good.

The bowl in the picture is clearly end-grain turned out of the whole log; it may also have been soaked in poly to bring out the figure.

Interesting colours.

It seems to vary quite a bit.

Originally Posted by craigb

I don't think I've ever seen a worked piece of NF pine. I'd like to though.

So if anyone has some pics, post away!

Here's a few of my favourites
here, here and here.

Rsser, heres pic sof yr 3 blanks

the Qld maple is perfectly dry 10 inch x 2 and has some nice wavy grain..

the rosewood is about 9inch x3 and has some fine streaks ..its about 14%, edges r greased and it will go in a plastic bag

the sheok is about 8X2 with natural bark on the back, its bit rough as rose sheok usually is but the grain is great it has a small split on one side but was the most solid piece i could cut at short notice. You should be able to get a nice turning from it.
This peice has the pale sapwood in about 20% which is rock hard and adds a nice contrast when turned..its about 12%, egdes r greased and it will go in a plastic bag

5kg all up

Hey nice links guys, NIP does look interetsing to turn which is why i wanted to try some...any chance of some pics of those chucnks rsser?

cheeeeeers
john

Hi John,

I've cut the blanks parallel to the grain so there's only one or two knots. If you want the knots dotted around the outside you'll need a whole log!

In the spindle blank there's little colour variation, but in the bowl blank and the turned bowl there is (figure detail is from the turned bowl) - I'm assuming that when soaked in poly it's the red and green flares that are brought out.

I'm waiting to redo a floor before trying the soaking; the bowl will need quite a lot.

If you want the colour and want to go with the bowl blank (along with one or both spindle blanks) I'm happy to cover the extra postage.

hey thanks Ern, nice looking blanks, it does have interesting grain...
thats bowl is good, brings out the grain...

i'll have as much as you can cope with the extra spindle is fine as long the cost is ok for u, am happy to cover extra cost if need,

cheeeeers
john

John, I have a second bowl blank cut from the opposite side as that one and it doesn't have the knot at the top. That knot will likely have to be turned away so I'd recommend you take the other one. Can post a pic if you want.

John, let me know about the bowl choice (last post); I'm hoping to post the stuff tomorrow.

ok rsser go for it...know or no know is fine by me mate..cheeeers

Ern, NIP arrived today 3 chunks. Nice grain am looking forward to gettiing it on the lathe, thanks for that.

Yr box went to town with wife last week or so dont go tot own much so have left it to her to send, will check to make sure its sent.

thanks
john