Thread: This box thing...

Eliza, if I had to make a choice, it would be maple.
Cheers, Ad

I think they're all suitable for boxes!

But if you mean for fancy fine finials, I would tentatively say the Mulga. I say "tentatively" because that'd be my choice in general, but without actually handling that particular piece of wood, well...

Huon is easy to turn and holds nice crisp detail... but is very soft. Not my choice for a finial that I'd want to last for more than one or two openings.

Red Cedar's an iffy one. I've seen it both nicely fine-grained and very coarsely grained.

Fat lot of help I am, huh?

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

Huon pine
Jacaranda
Camphor Laurel
Mango
Spanish cedar

Ive had good experiences with all of the above but would be hesitant to use them for the finial. Im with Skew in that Mulga would be great for the finial.. But as the more learned have noted, it depends on the piece.

Sebastiaan

Sorry - it was the body of the box that I meant.

I have pen blanks of all shapes and sizes - from soft Huon, to rock like Q Ebony.

I have some gum blanks I want to experiement with.

They might all be a little narrow, expecially when it comes to stands, but I can work it for finials.

So any of my other bits would be fine for a body... great!!!

Thank you

I'd happily use any of 'em for the body.

I've been thinking of making one from Huon Pine with Ebony stem & finials myself. But SSSH! It's a secret!

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

These are the timbers I have. Can you let me know which might be suitable for boxes?

Huon pine
Jacaranda
Red Cedar
Camphor Laurel
Mango
Coastal cypress
Spanish cedar
morten bay fig
qld maple
Mulga

I think that's about it in bits bigger then a pen blank!

Thanks

Jacaranda is a nice stable wood for boxes. My first choice would be Mulga, as the others have said, depending on the piece. I have also used Mango and Camphor with good success.

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

These are the timbers I have. Can you let me know which might be suitable for boxes?

Huon pine
Jacaranda
Red Cedar
Camphor Laurel
Mango
Coastal cypress
Spanish cedar
morten bay fig
qld maple
Mulga


I think that's about it in bits bigger then a pen blank!

Thanks

Ebony and Pink Ivory

....like Skew said, "fat lot of help I am"

Theyre all useless, give them to me and ill take care of it

call in and i will cut you some timbers for you boxmaking Eliza.......bob

G`day the morton bay fig has great figure. From my experience a bit hard to get a good finish go with the mulga.
Mick

Originally Posted by mickelmaster

Theyre all useless, give them to me and ill take care of it

Sure, put $200 in my bank for postage and I'll send them right over!

Originally Posted by robyn2839

call in and i will cut you some timbers for you boxmaking Eliza.......bob

Bob I've been feeling guilty that I haven't dropped over for ages. But distance and time have been against me! Hope you and the wife have been well