Lets talk Burl

[Laredo7mm]

Hey all, just wanted to show off my latest chunk of burl that got delivered yesterday. I am not quite sure of its Species, but it is related to Amboyna Burl, same Genus (Pterocarpus).

She is big, about 4 inches thick and cost me an arm and a leg, almost had to take out a second mortgage on the house , but it should be enough for about 200 knives. So for me, it will last 20 years at the rate i am going.

Anyway, she weighs around 21 pounds. I am going to take her to a lumber mill tomorrow to get her cut down into pieces that I can handle with my equipment. I might be looking to sell some of it since I have so much, so shoot me an email if you are interested.

Check out that marker line, looks like someone was scoping it out for guitar bodies, would have made a damn nice guitar!

 

[SkaerE]

nice! that is quite a chunk you've got there.

are you going to chop it up to have it stabilized (or is it already?)

or are you going to leave it as is and finish it somehow?

 

[Laredo7mm]

I have worked woth Amboyna a little and i don't think it needs to be stabilized. It has a high oil content and weighs about 42 lbs per cubic foot. Takes a pretty nice luster when buffed. It is probably ok to go as is.

Anybody that has some other input on finishing Amboyna PLEASE chime in.

Edited to add: Just looked up some properties and the source said: "Reported as likely to be resistant to impregnation." I assume that would mean stabilization. Which reminds me of trying to laquer some handles. The laquer just tended to bead up on the surface, probably because of the natural oils in the wood

Thanks-

Sean

 

[John Andrews]

Laredo, that laquer was probably water based. If you want that type of finish use an oil based finish. When you get some cut and figured on price I would certainly be interested in buying some. Great looking stuff!

 

[Mark Williams]

I would be interested in a chunk. Let me know how much for a 2x2x5 chunk.

Mark

 

[rlinger]

Same as Gouge. About 2 X 1 1/5 X 5 should be enough for about four sets of scales. Put me on your mailing list.

THE ABOVE HAS BEEN EDITED FOR CORRECTION by rlinger.

Roger

 

[Laredo7mm]

hey all, It will be awhile before I am ready to off load some of this burl. The lumber places i went today had never seen anything like this before so i am not comfortable with having them cut it for me.

But here is where i got it from

burl

Ask to talk to Donny, the burl was called Bing Burl. They are great to deal with.

 

[rlinger]

That's cool. I'm happy on my end. -- and, thanks for the link.

Roger

 

[crex]

Sean,
Find a place that has a "re-saw" band saw, has a much thinner kurf and therefore less waste. Most large fine-cabinet shops have one. Large kurf circular saws will waste a lot of material, especially if the operator is inexperienced (as your post suggest). Beautiful wood!
Good luck,
Carl Rx

 

[John Andrews]

Laredo, I just viewed the wood site, about knocked my eyes out! Thanks guy! I'm still interested in getting some of that wood from you. When you get it cut and decide to keep it, I can understand that,too.