Thread: Boree, Brigalow, Doolan: foodsafe?

Hi Skew, all of them are highly toxic, lucky for you I have a detoxification cabinet, so if you send it to me I will fix it up for you.
I am not aware of any Aussie timber not being foodsafe, the only one I can think of is Yew (english). Have fun turning them, Brigalow should have a faint scent of Violets as it is being cut.
Cheers
Barry

Haaaahhh i dont think u will have any foodsafe issues, especially if sealed properly but u will sure have some sharpening issues with that lot.

Boree and brigalow r 2 of the hardest woods u could come across, i found Boree a bitch to turn but bigger lathe and sharper chisels might do it.

Doolan i dunno but a sfar as I do know most of the desert woods can be easily food safe.

cheeeeeeeeeers

The dose makes the poison - how much of them are you planning to eat?

Thanks folks.

I've turned quite a few decorative pieces from 'em in the past (also from budgeroo) and never given it a thought. You're right about the hardness, Reeves, but by the same token they finish beautifully once you get that far.

It's just that I had a few extra pieces fall into my lap the other day and shortly thereafter a commision for a set of six goblets, each from a different native wood. I know they will be used and I thought I'd best make sure before making my final choices of blanks...

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Thanks folks.

I've turned quite a few decorative pieces from 'em in the past (also from budgeroo) and never given it a thought.

hey Budgeroo is great, i have used it for drop spindles..bit softer thna the otehrs tho...

You're right about the hardness, Reeves, but by the same token they finish beautifully once you get that far.

yes they do at that ! i have turned mulga, gidgee and some really feral Qld blackwood, all polish very niclely...

It's just that I had a few extra pieces fall into my lap the other day and shortly thereafter a commision for a set of six goblets, each from a different native wood. I know they will be used and I thought I'd best make sure before making my final choices of blanks...

mm be nice ot see a pic of the goblets when u got em done..i really like turning goblets.....good see more ...

on the food safe issue, aprt form the various available foodsafe finsihes and knowing if the wood itself will release toxic stuff if exposed to heatm wine or saliva...the japanses method of multilayer laquer seems to be a sure fire way of making wood food and heat safe ( heta releaisng whatever sin the wood).

the method is using 7-15 coats of lauqer, eityher clear or clouded...then sanding between each...the nitrocellouse turing stuff owuld do the trick but u really need the 7 coats or more to get a hard sealed finish, more coats gives more depth to the sheen but may alos color the wood with the color of the laquer...

cheeeeeeeeers
john

Goblets are my favourite things to turn as well.

The attached pic is the first prototype, straight off the tool. I didn't bother applying a finish, this is just to get approval from the customer as to the form. Personally I prefer a longer stem and a more delicate appearance, but this is to the specs they gave me and it will be used, so... [shrug]

The wood is Brigalow and I was a bit surprised at how open-grained it is, given the fineness of grain and weight of the timber. I'm undecided whether to use sanding filler to seal/hide the pores or to give several coats of tung oil which would make the pores a "feature." Once I get the go-ahead I think I'll turn all the rest before making up my mind. Inside the bowl will be finished with Rustins Plastic Coating so that's no concern.

Mind you, the rest won't be seperated until they're completely finished! Finishing off the lathe is a PITA.