Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Redbox

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    306

    Default Redbox

    Anybody worked with redbox? I came across a few rough cut slabs. Haven't seen any finished samples but the grain seemed fairly uninteresting. Couldn't tell the difference from ironbark in their rough form. I don't think I've ever come across any box gum for any use other than firewood

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Paynesville victoria
    Age
    73
    Posts
    172

    Default

    I turned some, maybe 10 items, hard on tools, and not much feature, wouldn,t use it again

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Brisbane (western suburbs)
    Age
    77
    Posts
    12,094

    Default

    Years ago, I helped an old forester salvage a huge burl from a road clearing operation. He said it was "Red Box" (E. polyanthemos), & I assume he had identified it correctly since he had lived in he area a long time & was very familiar with the local tree species. It was a huge & very sound burl, with very few voids and gum inclusions.

    I had to move on soon after, and I gave most of my share to a turner friend. The small piece I kept was enough to make a few things from, including a couple of pairs of marking gauges: R_Box burl A2.jpg R_Box burl A1.jpg

    (The shafts of the gauges are river Red Gum iirc).

    While it wasn't the easiest wood in he world to work with, it wasn't all that bad by Eucalypt standards, about the same as Red Gum and a bit easier than the Ironbarks I'm used to, but you can't generalise from a single piece. Being burl wood, my bit certainly didn't lack for figure. I wished I'd kept more......!

    Cheers,
    IW

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,551

    Default

    Red Box is a very versatile timber. Durable, hard, interlocking grain. Makes good fence posts, fire wood, maul heads, mallet heads, chisel handles and the list goes on. If an impact resistant timber is required Red Box usually fits the bill.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    306

    Default

    What about furniture? The interlocked grain should make for some fine feature

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,551

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by yoboseyo View Post
    What about furniture? The interlocked grain should make for some fine feature
    The interlocking grain that is a common feature with most of the box timbers should not be confused with the more bold feature created by quilting or fiddle back or tiger grain which are sought for fine furniture. The typical Box grain is more "cranky" making planing and chiseling difficult, with fine work becoming almost impossible or at least frustrating. There are far easier timbers out there for furniture.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    306

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rustynail View Post
    The interlocking grain that is a common feature with most of the box timbers should not be confused with the more bold feature created by quilting or fiddle back or tiger grain which are sought for fine furniture. The typical Box grain is more "cranky" making planing and chiseling difficult, with fine work becoming almost impossible or at least frustrating. There are far easier timbers out there for furniture.
    That's been my experience with most eucalyptus, which explains why most commercially furniture aren't made from spotted gum or ironbark. These timbers certainly look more like they came from a tree than common joinery timbers like jarrah and Vic ash

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rustynail View Post
    The interlocking grain that is a common feature with most of the box timbers should not be confused with the more bold feature created by quilting or fiddle back or tiger grain which are sought for fine furniture. The typical Box grain is more "cranky" making planing and chiseling difficult, with fine work becoming almost impossible or at least frustrating. There are far easier timbers out there for furniture.
    I agree 100% with what Rustynail says.
    Even though I'm not a furniture maker I have cut and handled many boxes, most are difficult to work and finish.

    Euge

Similar Threads

  1. drying redbox
    By gundaroo redbox in forum SMALL TIMBER MILLING
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 19th March 2009, 08:16 AM
  2. Big Redbox delight
    By WillBrook in forum SMALL TIMBER MILLING
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 21st August 2008, 06:50 PM
  3. Carved Redbox root ball bowl
    By Alpine in forum WOODWORK PICS
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10th September 2003, 09:18 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •