Anyone use Ipe?

Am turning several mallet heads for a fellow using Ipe. Boy this stuff is really dense. Only sharp tools do the job, but they dull quickly. I'm told the dust is an allergen too.

Anyone have any tips?

Bob London, Ontario, Canada.

Reply to
Bob Hewson
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Well, I have not turned it as yet, but I've read enough to know that it dulls things quickly due to a silica content, similar to teak - built-in-tool-dulling-rock...so expect to keep sharpening a lot.

Reply to
Ecnerwal

I've got a small chunk that's been hanging around the shop for a couple years - one of these days ...

Anyway, if it dulls tools because of the silica content, shouldn't it sharpen them also? I know this sounds off the wall, but how about rubbing the bevel on the off side to sharpen?

LD

Reply to
Lobby Dosser

Lobby Dosser wrote in news:Ezpue.2481$tA.1326@trnddc06:

It didn't work with anigre. 2 passes on the bowl, 1 on the wheel, rinse, repeat.

Patriarch, who has some ipe in the wood rack, too, and is thinking that there are higher callings than the lathe for that wood.

Reply to
Patriarch

I've been thinking resaw for a small flatland box.

Reply to
Lobby Dosser

Know the dangers, don't put yourself in harm's way for the sake of a turning.

Tropical woods which have had to contend with insects and standing water for a few hundred thousand years are loaded with "extractives" in the form of fungicides and insecticides. There isn't really a way to determine an individual's sensitivity as far as allergies, but it's sure that these chemicals are not good for your mucous membranes, designed as they are for killing.

Since the dust is merely the carrier of the chemicals, a simple mask may not be enough to protect you from airborne chemicals in the oils and vapors. Further, since you have pores in your skin, you may also develop urticaria ("hives"), or even contact dermatitis from prolonged contact.

Keep some antihistamine like Benadryl handy whenever you're turning, and be prepared to _stop_ if you experience respiratory symptoms, remove yourself from the irritant, and dose.

Then, when symptoms subside, get a chemical (charcoal) mask and some rubber gloves on and clear up the dust and shavings.

Throw them out with the turning.

Reply to
George

I've turned quite a bit of ipe. You already know that it's hard (I mean HARD) and dense (some pieces won't float in water) and it dulls tools quickly, requiring you to sharpen often. But it also polishes to an amazing sheen with very little effort and transforms from the dirty yellow sawdust to a rich chocolate brown with just a swipe of oil. And it's very inexpensive.

I like it.

Wear a good mask, as with all tropical woods.

Michael Latcha - at home in Redford, MI

Reply to
Michael Latcha

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