"Walnutted" birch - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

PuzzledMoose · 03-20-2007, 01:08 PM

I think someone mentioned this a few weeks ago but can't remember who and can't find the thread.

I just tried cutting a couple of puzzles out of it yesterday and for what it's worth thought I'd comment.

From what I understand (and remember)from the guy at the woodstore it's birch which has been heated in the kiln for longer and at higher temperatures than would be normal for drying wood - does anyone know more about this process ..?

It cuts nicely and is a similar colour to walnut. It does however smell HORRIBLE - unless you like the smell of charred wood! It also generates very black messy dust so that the planer and saw table need wiping down well after using it ..

Dipped in BLO/mineral spirits it darkens to a rich very dark brown.

I've attached a pic which gives and idea of the colour change after dipping ..

Dragon · 03-20-2007, 04:49 PM

Don't know anything about it but those puzzles look real good Ian. I do like the dark brown color.
Diane

Minnesota scroller · 03-20-2007, 05:23 PM

Verrry interesting. Never heard of such a thing. They do look a lot like walnut. So, wouldn't it be easier to just use walnut?

BTW, neat little puzzles. How thick is the wood?

Rivari · 03-20-2007, 05:45 PM

The puzzles look good Ian!

As for the burnt wood and anyone knowing anything about such matters it would be Jeff or Barry.

You want to know what really stinks a shop up...try cutting an antler or some bone...whew! Man now that is some serious funk!

BobD · 03-20-2007, 05:54 PM

I hope you're wearing serious dust protection if cutting those things, Todd...there are all kinds of nasty microbes living in antler!

My carving friend, Alfie Fishgap, has done some woodburning on an antler and he said it smelled like burning rotten hair...

Bob

Rivari · 03-20-2007, 06:02 PM

I only tried it once and it is nasty! Not rotten hair nasty but nasty none the less.

Neal Moore · 03-20-2007, 06:13 PM

Hey Bobcat...those shed antlers don't really decompose in the wild. They are, for all intents and purposes, bone. The rodents gnaw them up for the calcium content and to keep their teeth worn down. That's why sheds don't last long on the forrest floor. Squirrel teeth, for instance, grow constantly because their natural food sources tend to wear them down. I've made several knife handles from shed and harvested antlers and they do stink to high heaven when cut!!

bearfretworks · 03-20-2007, 06:17 PM

Thanks for the review Ian. I posted a link on the carmelized birch a while back but can't find it either. I remember it was cheaper than walnut (something I thought you'd like MNScroller

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobD

I hope you're wearing serious dust protection if cutting those things, Todd...

Shed antlers last YEARS up here on the ground.....granted the mice/screws/voles/etc chew them good and they eventually break down to fertilizer. I would believe that shed antlers break down and are chewed up quicker in warmer locals. But there are no killer microbes in the antlers..... I've got antlers hanging on my wall that are over 50 years old and they haven't decayed to nothing......which is what they would have done if there were microbes in them......

BobD · 03-20-2007, 06:27 PM

Sorry...I didn't mean to come across National Enquirish...

I should have taken more time to reply.

If carving, scrolling, cutting, etc. bone or antler, since they are more porous than some woods, they can attract a differnt kind of microbe (ones that feed on calcium) that can cause respiratory problems or infections. Use the same precautions you would use when cutting or sanding some of the more exotic hardwoods, or any wood you are sensitive to. (dust collection, dust mask, etc.)

I was always under the impression that antlers are made of a slightly less dense material than standard bone...they grow much faster...but I stand totally corrected! I've read up on it, and see that what I wrote earlier was toally incorrect!

To keep from perpetuating the myth...I'm going to delete my other post! I just wanted you all to know that I'm deleting it and standing totally corrected...I'm not just deleting the post so I don't look stupid <GRIN>

Bob

PuzzledMoose · 03-20-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnesota scroller

Verrry interesting. Never heard of such a thing. They do look a lot like walnut. So, wouldn't it be easier to just use walnut?

BTW, neat little puzzles. How thick is the wood?

Easier, Mike, maybe but not cheaper... AFAICR it's about $1 b/f less than real walnut. .. and that piece was cheaper - a free sample ...

The puzzles are 3/4 inch, cut with a #7 FD SR blade.