A couple of years ago I found myself stuck in traffic behind a tree-trimming crew pulling a trailer filled with the remains of a bois d'arc tree they had just cut down. They had sectioned the 18" diameter tree into approximately two foot lengths. I couldn't believe my luck. I followed them into an apartment complex parking lot where I convinced them to throw the sections into the back of my truck and when I got home, I put a new blade on my big Delta 20" bandsaw and cut them down into smaller boards that i could sticker and stack for later use.
In all honesty I had no idea what I was doing. I used a makeshift fence on the bandsaw, but the cuts came out mostly irregular--not much better than freehand. The tree was split in places had a big hollow spot that must've been the ultimate cause of its demise. I should've cut slightly thicker slabs and avoided the heart of the tree, but I didn't. Nevertheless, it has been been interesting to watch the wood as it has aged. It turns a beautiful, deep butterscotch color. The end grain is quite striking.
I was looking for just the right application for it when I noticed an advertisement on e-Bay for custom-made totes. I shot Mike Wischmann (eBay member ID: salwisch) a message and arranged for him to make some tote and knob sets for me out of my bois d'arc for a very reasonable price. I am thrilled with the results!
I've got more uses in mind for my bois d'arc. It's not as difficult to work as I'd been led to believe. I think it contrasts nicely with walnut and I'm thinking my next furniture project will incorporate bois d'arc in a variety of interesting ways.
More to come.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
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