This is the first project that I’m working on since I’ve joined LJ’s and thought, “Hey, I’ll journal the whole thing on here and get some input from people…”. So that’s what I’m doing. I wanted to try my hand at Osage Orange, as I’ve seen some cool things done with it before and wanted a challenge, from what I hear it’s very hard and dense. I couldn’t find any locally, so I went to Bell Forest Products website and picked some out there. Well, it has arrived! In the past I’ve been very frustrated with expansion and contraction in wood in my shop, the humidity varies drastically, so I’m going to be storing the wood in the house between working sessions; hopefully that helps. So, here it is stickered. I’m going to let it sit for about a week to acclimate before I get going. I did a few trials to see what style my wife would like the most and it came out to be this one.
So, in about a week, I’ll start squaring and cutting things down to size!
-- Finding satisfaction in creation






















10 comments so far
DaleM
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392 posts in 262 days
posted 166 days ago
I like it, but with this style it looks like you will have to cut four miters per corner. Double the room for error. Ouch! Looks like a challenge. Good luck, and I’ll be following your blog.
-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY
Sawdustonmyshoulder
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168 posts in 506 days
posted 166 days ago
Well, being from “Bodock” country, I would suggest you make sure you have sharp tools when you start working with Osage orange (bodock, bois d’arc, horse apple, hedge apple). That stuff will eat tungsten carbide for breakfast and high-speed steel for a mid-morning snack. I have a couple of 1/2 inch, $35 band saw blades with no teeth to bare witness.
Love the look of this wood. It turns beautifully.
Good luck. Post your photos of the finished project. I look forward to seeing them. Oh, welcome to LJ.
-- Makin' Sawdust!!!
a1Jim
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15538 posts in 455 days
posted 166 days ago
looks like good planing look forward to more progress
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
SCOTSMAN
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2226 posts in 463 days
posted 166 days ago
Osage how do you pronounce it is it OH Saij or osa geh Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease
DaleM
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392 posts in 262 days
posted 166 days ago
Alistair, it is pronounced like your first guess, oh saij.
-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY
Sawdustonmyshoulder
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168 posts in 506 days
posted 166 days ago
http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-species-2/osage-orange/
Here is a short story about Osage Orange or Bowdark or Bodock.
-- Makin' Sawdust!!!
ahock
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71 posts in 202 days
posted 166 days ago
Thanks Sawdust! Looks like I’m in for a treat… of sharpening that is.
-- Finding satisfaction in creation
JMG
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45 posts in 127 days
posted 127 days ago
can’t wait to see the finished product. great design
-- -Jon
Karson
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25271 posts in 1278 days
posted 127 days ago
Have fun. Osage orange is a nice hard wood. It does change color over time so don’t expect the yellow color to stay that way forever.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
ahock
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71 posts in 202 days
posted 123 days ago
I’m finally getting some of them glued up, over a month later… Pics and project to come.
-- Finding satisfaction in creation