Thread: Aussie timbers for chip carving?

Hi ya Russell,

Best aussie stuff bar none for carving is White Beech (Gmelina). Had some kicking around here if I find it before I come through again I'll drop some in the boot for you.

Not OZ but, Chilean Myrtle is nice to carve also and cheaper


Cheers


Steve

Thanks Steve, that's very considerate of you. I'm in Brissy during the week, Maryvale on the weekends.

But, is it the same "white beech" as I have? The dog in this thread https://www.woodworkforums.com/f10/chip-carving-91942 is an example of what I have. Note the white streak across the ear, which sort of spoils the effect. I seem to remember a while ago some discussion on the common name "white beech" referring to several different species. I was told mine was "qld white beech" and got it from a guy who builds boats with it.

Thanks. Russell.

what about hoop?
fruit wood? most of that is white. like mango, apple etc

Originally Posted by weisyboy

what about hoop?
fruit wood? most of that is white. like mango, apple etc

Note sure about hoop - haven't seen a plank of it, only on ply. Pines like radiata are no good due to the hard/soft nature of the gain. I wondered about Huon pine - it's fairly even isn't it?

Not seen many fruit woods either, but I do have some Mango, and it seems to be quite figured with either varying colours, or patterned grain, which isn't suitable.

I'm looking to turn whatever wood I can find into small boxes, with chip carved designs on them, so that's the end result I'm after.

Russell.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

Thanks Steve, that's very considerate of you. I'm in Brissy during the week, Maryvale on the weekends.

But, is it the same "white beech" as I have? I was told mine was "qld white beech" and got it from a guy who builds boats with it.

Sounds like a safe bet if you got it from a boat builder, if the wood is greasy to the touch them you've got the right stuff. Could not tell from the photo
Sorry. But carves like butter very similar to English lime.

Cheers

Steve

Originally Posted by toolbagsPLUS

Sounds like a safe bet if you got it from a boat builder, if the wood is greasy to the touch them you've got the right stuff. Could not tell from the photo
Sorry. But carves like butter very similar to English lime.

Cheers

Steve

Yep, must be it then. Shame, I was hoping for something a bit lighter, and it feathers a little along the grain for chip carving, so it could be tighter too. Guess I'm lucky to have it though, instead of nothing. Having the Basswood sample boards has spoiled me a little, as it's the perfect wood.

Russell.

What about poinciana, yellow, tight to med grain, light, works easily with hand tools, may have a bit much figure to be ideal tho, I have some if u wanted it, I'll probably never use it.
Where is Maryvale?
Peter.

Hoop & Kauri both carve well, pick nice straght grain timber free of knots.

Being softer means you must keep your chisels extra sharp to get nice sharp cuts.

Originally Posted by pjt

What about poinciana, yellow, tight to med grain, light, works easily with hand tools, may have a bit much figure to be ideal tho, I have some if u wanted it, I'll probably never use it.
Where is Maryvale?
Peter.

Hmm, could be worth a look. I think we're a bit geographically challenged though. Maryvale in in the Southern Downs, just east of Warwick. Poinciana's aren't big trees either are they? Probably not much chance of getting boards of it.

I have a piece of rose butternut I got years ago. While it's not a light coloured timber, it meets all the other requirements I think. I wonder how easy it is to get hold of around here?

I'm also wondering whether it's worth the effort of trying to import Basswood from the US. It's cheap enough for the sizes I need to get already dressed boards, problems would be postage cost and I'm not sure what customs/quaranteen impacts there might be.

Russell.

Originally Posted by echnidna

Hoop & Kauri both carve well, pick nice straght grain timber free of knots.

Being softer means you must keep your chisels extra sharp to get nice sharp cuts.

OK, two votes for Hoop, and there should be some available somewhere surely? Will keep an eye out for that. Kauri could be a little harder to find I'm thinking.

Russell.

i got a heap of hoop. and a bunch of other white woods.

i can put together a sample pack if you like. what sizes do u need?

Originally Posted by weisyboy

i got a heap of hoop. and a bunch of other white woods.

i can put together a sample pack if you like. what sizes do u need?

Cool. Only need like (6-12)x100x200 (LxWxH - mm that is) for one face. Three boards that size would probably make a box I'd think.

Thanks. Russell.

i have heaps in 1 and 2 inch wide do u have abandsaw or would u like me to rip them down?

waht about top and bottom. i have hoop up to 200mm wide. and others up to 150. ill see what i can find in thiner bits tomorow.

Yeah I have a Woodman 14" bandsaw, so can rip to some degree.

I'm only looking at single pen cases at the moment, so they're not huge. The dimensions I gave are the top & bottom. A 3 pen case would be about 6" wide x 8" long, the sides at most 2" high.

Russell.