Thread: Sandalwood scales?

Someone posted a thread in another forum asking for favorite scents. I mentioned I like Sandalwood. It got me to thinking what exactly is Sandalwood. A quick check on Wikipedia revealed it is a high demand product which is often used in carvings.
So that got me to thinking, does anyone make sandalwood scales? I have a Wostenholm that needs rescaled.

My search for usable pieces just turned up several different type of wood referred to as Sandalwood...

The Australian = Can't find blanks
The African = Very Expensive blanks maybe possible
The Argentinian = Normal prices and availability


And that took 5 minutes, probably gets more complicated as you dig deeper..

BTW some of those are TOXIC to work with

Oh common Glen that just means they put hair on your chest and your backside comfortably in satin.
I used to have a piece, I don't know where from though. I'll look for it tomorrow if I get some time. I don't remember where I got it, but it should be big enough for scales. I'll update tomorrow.

-G

Originally Posted by gssixgun

My search for usable pieces just turned up several different type of wood referred to as Sandalwood...

The Australian = Can't find blanks
The African = Very Expensive blanks maybe possible
The Argentinian = Normal prices and availability


And that took 5 minutes, probably gets more complicated as you dig deeper..

BTW some of those are TOXIC to work with

THanks for the info.
As far as toxicity, does that only mean not to breathe the dust? Or would that be dangerous to handle as a handle for a blade?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

And that took 5 minutes, probably gets more complicated as you dig deeper..

BTW some of those are TOXIC to work with

Does that mean you're going to expect to tack on an upcharge?

Safety assessment of sandalwood oil (Santalum albu... [Food Chem Toxicol. 2008] - PubMed result

I know there are varieties of Sandalwood, here is info I found about one of them, no toxicity.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

THanks for the info.
As far as toxicity, does that only mean not to breathe the dust? Or would that be dangerous to handle as a handle for a blade?

The Scales would be sealed anyway .. But the dust and the oil is bad news but that is also on many other exotics..
There is actually a chart in the Wiki IIRC


The African Species: Tamboti / Sandalo africano

"Works well on lathe and with chisel. Difficult to glue because of its oily sap. When freshly cut releases toxic latex. It is essential to protect eyes and nose."

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Safety assessment of sandalwood oil (Santalum albu... [Food Chem Toxicol. 2008] - PubMed result

I know there are varieties of Sandalwood, here is info I found about one of them, no toxicity.

Your link is to a Food Grade Sandalwood Oil...
You have to be careful how you search these things "Most Every" exotic wood is at least listed as an irritant, some are very bad...


Cutting, Sanding and Shaping exotics is dangerous to your Eyes, Lungs, and sometimes Skin... Many Domestic woods are just as dangerous... Always take safety precautions when in the shop...

I have worked Tamboti several times. Think I have a block of it on my lathe stock actually. Pretty wood and it does have an interesting aroma but not like sandlewood soap. It is no more toxic than Cocobolo, which is one of the worst. You have to ware a respirator while working it. I have a forced air respirator I use when turning wood. You may think a $300+ respirator is a bit over the top, until you spend a month in the hospital from breathing the dust.

The sealed/finished wood, or even unfinished wood is not a problem but dont breathe the dust.