Thread: Has anyone used Black Palm for scales?

Ok, just got in a bit of new woods to work with. One of the most exciting is the Black Palm. This stuff is just way too cool & I just wondered if any of you have any experience working with it, specifically scales. Wondered if tear-out is an issue & what your recommended finishes are. I found/bought a old black or red palm in an antique store that looks like it was used to grind herbs, grains, or medicines in a pumice type bowl (The word that describes it escapes me at the time) back in the day and noticed how some of the grain is seperating. This is why I am asking about tearout & recommended finishes.

Yeah I did a few of them some time ago if you look in the Gallery of restorations and Search Black Palm they should pop up...
Personally it is a gorgeous wood but a major PITA to work and yes tear out as you call it is very bad, Sanding it is tuff, but the finish goes on like a dream.... IIRC I used a few different finishes, but I think the Tung Oil was the best...

I think I found the one you were talking about Glen, correct me if I'm wrong: http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...lack-palm.html

I usually rough out my scales with a band saw, then finish up the edge shaping to whatever pattern I am using on sanding drums & belt sander turned upside down clamped in the vise. Then (here is where I'm worried about "tear-out") I'll usually radius the edges that will be on the outside on my router table. From there it's usually all by hand. Anything that you would NOT recommend or recall that made it a PITA to work with?

Band saw = Check
Sander = Check

Router = Hmmmmmmm I ain't so sure



There was a DD #1.... I did too and something else maybe a Boker, I know I did three of them, because that was how many sets of blanks I had and I never bought more of it

I'll just give it a whirl and see what happens. Thanks for the input, i truely appreciate it. I made a big order on some wood last week and most is in: purple heart, ziricote, leopardwood, cocobolo, bolivian rosewood, bocote, and of course the black palm. I jumped into the elephant ivory, so the wood doesn't really scare me too bad. What's the worst that can happen when working with power tools????

Yes. It is very fibrous and will chunk very easily. I used an epoxy resin finish on them. I have some turning stock and and have tried turning it but it is one of the few woods I have not been able to master. It likes to shred. Quite difficult to work.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I'll just give it a whirl and see what happens. Thanks for the input, i truely appreciate it. I made a big order on some wood last week and most is in: purple heart, ziricote, leopardwood, cocobolo, bolivian rosewood, bocote, and of course the black palm. I jumped into the elephant ivory, so the wood doesn't really scare me too bad. What's the worst that can happen when working with power tools????

Wear a mask!

I would skip the router table in favor of some good sanding or (my preference) a good set of wood rasps and spokeshaves.

That wood is beautiful. I may look into getting some.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Wear a mask!

I would skip the router table in favor of some good sanding or (my preference) a good set of wood rasps and spokeshaves.

Way to go. I thought that I was the only one using spokeshaves, drawknives and such! Last winter I split our firewood with a mallet and froe. I actually have my father's old shaving horse as well, though it does look a bit out of place in the garage...

Originally Posted by blockhead

Way to go. I thought that I was the only one using spokeshaves, drawknives and such! Last winter I split our firewood with a mallet and froe. I actually have my father's old shaving horse as well, though it does look a bit out of place in the garage...

A man after my own heart! I'm in the process of building a shaving horse myself... I'm a tremendous believer in the ease and precision of hand-tools.