Thread: Making chisel handles from Ash wood.

Not knowing about Claret Ash I googled for it, and found out that it was born here in SA! http://www.nationaltrustsa.org.au/he...icons_2003.htm

I suspect your mileage might vary depending on the grafting history of your specimen and the growing conditions - garden trees tend to be overwatered - but overall chances look good, it being a mutant of the same species.

Thanks for that F&E, didn't know that, even though I have visited Raywood several times.

Thanks F&E, i didn't think to look on the I'net! This timber came from a culled street tree destined for the firewood heap. So being "born & bred" in Sth Aust, no wonder there is so many here!!

I have a Claret Ash in my front yard and have saved several large branches that had to come down. I have turned one chisel handle so far, It feels good but have not had any major catches yet!

JJK,
I am not sure if it is as good for handles as the european ash but would give it a try anyhow. Afterall how long does it take to make a handle. If the chisel is intended for a lot of mallet impact then I would go for spotted gum or some other dense timber.


Regards
John

To claim the Claret Ash was "born & bred" in Sth Aust, is stretching it a bit!! Fraxinus angustifolia (Desert Ash) is very definitely an exotic species, hailing from the Meditteranean/Asian region. Claret ash is a natural mutant of F. angustifolia (a GMO , but done by nature, not man) that happens to acquire a different mix of photosynthesis enzymes from its 'parent' but the wood is pretty similar, to judge from the few trees of each I've worked with.

The wood of these trees is much more brittle than the northern hemisphere Ash that are used for wagon spokes, chair legs, etc. I've worked with quite a bit of two species of Ash in Canada, and they were much tougher, and more suited to handles than Desert or Claret Ash. However, desert Ash is not bad stuff, and turns well. As someone else said, it may not tolerate a lot of pounding (but never tried it, so could easily be wrong!). I would think it would work fine as a turning chisel handle, unless you are into very heroic stuff with your lathe tools. I have several handscrews for clamps made from it that have done good service for 20 years, and should easily see me out.

My 2c,

OK, I stand corrected, Claret Ash is not "a mutant of the same species" as I incorrectly interpreted the article linked. The "real" ash is Fraxinus Excelsior.

The photo shows the growth rings of a piece of the real thing (life size).

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

OK, I stand corrected, Claret Ash is not "a mutant of the same species" as I incorrectly interpreted the article linked. The "real" ash is Fraxinus Excelsior.

? Frank.
I wasn't trying to correct you, just pointing out that the article implies the tree is a Sth Aust native, when it is just a cultivar of an imported species - not having a shot at you. There some confusion over botanical names, but the web sites that are likely more up to date use F. angustifolia for Desert Ash. It's pretty pointless & boring for people who aren't into taxonomy to argue about specific names - in a lot of cases, getting the generic name right is near enough.

Ian, did not take it as a shot at me, I just had to correct my previous statement. Thank you for making me read again the article and realise my mistake.

Euro Ash is a fairly common garden planting around here and yes it does make good woodturning handles; strong, fairly light. Coarse grain so you need shear cuts to finish or be prepared to sand it clean. Distinct growth rings so spur drill bits help when you bore for the tang.

It also works well in scorching/wire brushing or otherwise texturing or distressing bowls. And it can be cut fairly easily down to a thin wall.