Thread: Time to rape Oz?

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Picked these up today from my wood supplier. A Banksia pod and a 2x2x16 Golden Amboyna burl scantling.

Attachment 168046

Gonna give the Banksia pod a go. Im thinking a tinted epoxy for filling the holes. Should be a fun challenge and should be quite messy. Apparently the Banksia pods shoot seeds from those large holes the second your lathe goes on. Im thinking 500 RPMs to start.

Holy Crap, looks like a pine cone keep us posted

You don't usually need to fill the holes for most jobs


this is not mine just an example only

The seed pods are hard wood but the nobly nut surface is like a tight hair sort of fibre
Very messy to get to the harder inner wood
Sure you will have fun with it if you turn slabing it might be different and need filling

We call them a honky nut where I grew up LOL
The young once are like fuzzy brown fur after the flowers fall off
Twist em in your hands and they fall apart like an itchy powder
The real big ones are hard and heavy

Ya, they're big and quite heavy, I was surprised. My wood supplier has a huge bin of these. Had to be 100 of them. I've watched a few vids on guys turning these things, so hopefully that helps me a bit. They seem to take quite a nice shine when finished.

You don't usually need to fill the holes for most jobs

Once I get the hole bored for the knot, you will be able to see right through the side wall. You would see the epoxied knot. I think I almost have to fill them, for use as a shaving brush.


It definitely will be a fun project!

Andrew, I think I would fill with epoxy first. Just tape the outside to hold it in. Might be cool with a colored epoxy too ? Or go nuts and use a clear acrylic with color.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Picked these up today from my wood supplier. A Banksia pod and a 2x2x16 Golden Amboyna burl scantling.

Attachment 168046

Gonna give the Banksia pod a go. Im thinking a tinted epoxy for filling the holes. Should be a fun challenge and should be quite messy. Apparently the Banksia pods shoot seeds from those large holes the second your lathe goes on. Im thinking 500 RPMs to start.

Andrew, a nice bright magenta epoxy filler - it will give off an other world quality.

Yeah! I can see that! Something which lets the light in and out!

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Andrew, I think I would fill with epoxy first. Just tape the outside to hold it in. Might be cool with a colored epoxy too ? Or go nuts and use a clear acrylic with color.

10Pups, exactly what I was thinking too. I may turn the whole pod into a billet first and then cut only the amount off I need for the first project. I can get at least 3 handles out of 1 pod. The tape is a good idea, and is probably how I'll do it.

Tom and Richard, I also went to the Hobby store today and picked up some sky blue model paint to tint the resin. Maybe a Magenta or even a swirl is also possible on the next. On the other hand, after all this farting around I may never want to turn one of these things again. only time will tell. Thanks for the advice Fellas.

What about using a small sleeve in the knot hole if required

Originally Posted by Substance

What about using a small sleeve in the knot hole if required

Heyyyyy, now that's a good idea!