Post your woodwork here

[carrera4s]

I always struggle to get the drill's cable neatly into the case, sorted it out this weekend.

 

 

[DJR]

Has anyone here made anything out of African Blackwood/ African Ebony? I have two pieces which I haven't found a use for. I'd imagine it's best used by those making rifle stocks or knife handles?

It is only used for fore-end and pistol grips on high end rifle stocks. The ebony on its own is too heavy for a rifle stock, so is only used as decoration on the front tip of a walnut stock or to finish off a pistol grip-cap. It is a fantastic wood to turn into very intricate and delicate shapes.

 

Edit - Like these:

Edited May 22, 2017 by DJR

[DJR]

Knife makers try to avoid using natural untreated wood for handles, because of durability issues with wood and water, swelling, warping and cracking. They use all kinds of wood, but then it is first impregnated with a resin to stabilize it. Of all the natural woods, ebony is probably the most stable, and therefore sometimes used as is.

[JanJan]

Has anyone here made anything out of African Blackwood/ African Ebony? I have two pieces which I haven't found a use for. I'd imagine it's best used by those making rifle stocks or knife handles?

 

Maybe not up the general carpenter's alley, but black wood and ebony is an awesome material to use in violins, guitars or harps due to their hardness. The wood is almost just as tough as ivory and can be used for tuning pegs or bridges on instruments.

 

I built an Aeolian harp a few years ago and used black wood for most of the smaller components. To the trained ear (not mine) it gives instruments a specific sound.

[Plentipotential]

PENS!!!  Or Chess Pieces.

 

 

PM Sent.

 

Hey! That's my pen! 

 

Use it every day.

[carrera4s]

Hey! That's my pen! 

 

Use it every day.

 

Jip.    

 

 And still the only one like it!  I will not make one like this again.  I'm glad it is getting good use!  

[Plentipotential]

Has anyone here made anything out of African Blackwood/ African Ebony? I have two pieces which I haven't found a use for. I'd imagine it's best used by those making rifle stocks or knife handles?

 

African Blackwood - Dalbergia melanoxylon. Also known in South Africa as Zebrawood, not sure why this name is used though, perhaps someone can enlighten me. National Parks label trees and this is the name they use. Nice tree for the urban garden and available from the nursery next to the golf course in Kruger Park.

 

Very slow growing, one of the heaviest woods worldwide, heavier than leadwood, and certainly one of the most expensive. 

 

Use it to make something special.

 

[Kranswurm]

Maybe not up the general carpenter's alley, but black wood and ebony is an awesome material to use in violins, guitars or harps due to their hardness. The wood is almost just as tough as ivory and can be used for tuning pegs or bridges on instruments.

 

I built an Aeolian harp a few years ago and used black wood for most of the smaller components. To the trained ear (not mine) it gives instruments a specific sound.

The fretboard on my Taylor is ebony

[eccc whippet]

I always struggle to get the drill's cable neatly into the case, sorted it out this weekend.

I solved that problems years ago...I went battery [emoji6]

[Long Wheel Base]

I solved that problems years ago...I went battery [emoji6]

The only way. It's so much easier. When I have to go do maintenance at my rental units I don't need extension cables and some tenants are fussy about who will pay for that power(Yip I'm serious). I even have a makita vacuum cleaner, 18V lithion Ion, same as the tools battery.

[MTBeer]

so I bought some deck oil for my Jarrah deck 2 weeks ago - Woodoc @ R480.00 for 5l at LT Paint Discounters because I know thay are the cheapest.  Popped in at my local hardware (Melkbos hardware) afterwards to do a comparison - R560.00 - I can accept that price difference, to be expected. Then this past Sunday I happened to be next door to Builders Warehouse so I went to have a look - R648.00 for the same stuff. :eek:

[Rata-tat-tat]

so I bought some deck oil for my Jarrah deck 2 weeks ago - Woodoc @ R480.00 for 5l at LT Paint Discounters because I know thay are the cheapest. Popped in at my local hardware (Melkbos hardware) afterwards to do a comparison - R560.00 - I can accept that price difference, to be expected. Then this past Sunday I happened to be next door to Builders Warehouse so I went to have a look - R648.00 for the same stuff. :eek:

Builders are a ripoff. It's the convenience thing, so they will it.

[DJR]

so I bought some deck oil for my Jarrah deck 2 weeks ago - Woodoc @ R480.00 for 5l at LT Paint Discounters because I know thay are the cheapest.  Popped in at my local hardware (Melkbos hardware) afterwards to do a comparison - R560.00 - I can accept that price difference, to be expected. Then this past Sunday I happened to be next door to Builders Warehouse so I went to have a look - R648.00 for the same stuff. :eek:

LT in Woodstock is such an established part of Cape Town that I support them just for who they are, hoping that my grand children will also one day buy paint from them. I often also buy from Hawkes & Findlay in Lower main Road Observatory, the hardware store version of your LBS. Often I find both cheaper than Builders Warehouse, which I only use if I need something on a Sunday. 

[Long Wheel Base]

Builders are a ripoff. It's the convenience thing, so they will it.

You are spot on. I have a few local proper hardware stores close to me but most of them close midday Saturday. Have lost count the amount of times I have needed something on a Sunday afternoon. I have a builders warehouse and express near me. 

BUT, I recently had a new garage built and struck a deal with the builder where I supply the material myself. My wife was on maternity leave and she phoned around for prices on stock as we needed. A few times builders actually ended up cheaper. Its amazing how the price of building material fluctuated week to week. Marley roof tiles, no one came close to builders. They had specials on Lafarge cement from time to time and as I ended up using over 200 bags in the end the specials helped a lot.

[Amberdrake]

In Somerset I use builders for convenience and they pretty much only ones open when I need something.

Pricing is comparable with the Local Hardware store tho. So unless I call around for specific specialist shops selling the item its hardly better to shop local. 

(I do when they open as they are close by and generally helpful)

[Eddy Gordo]

You are spot on. I have a few local proper hardware stores close to me but most of them close midday Saturday. Have lost count the amount of times I have needed something on a Sunday afternoon. I have a builders warehouse and express near me. 

BUT, I recently had a new garage built and struck a deal with the builder where I supply the material myself. My wife was on maternity leave and she phoned around for prices on stock as we needed. A few times builders actually ended up cheaper. Its amazing how the price of building material fluctuated week to week. Marley roof tiles, no one came close to builders. They had specials on Lafarge cement from time to time and as I ended up using over 200 bags in the end the specials helped a lot.

Yes for building supply's they are reasonable to cheap, however their instore/retail goods is another story