In my experience working with bloodwood I found the following…
- It is very hard (Janka 2900). Sometimes chips out with the router and is very difficult to hand sand in the nooks and cranies. I’ve recently heard that it “is HELL on scroll saw blades” too.
- It can be quite fragile when it gets thin. In order to make my heart cross, I had to create my own plywood by resawing my stock and gluing the two pieces back together with the grain at 90 degrees to give it the strength I needed.
- You can easily burn the end grain by machine sanding. Need to go lightly or hand sand the end grain.
- It takes a great finish. I’ve had excellent results with “tung oil” finish. It does darken it somewhat.
- There is a huge difference in the plain sawn, riff cut,and quarter sawn lumber. I much prefer the plain sawn for the small items I make. The other cuts might work for larger items.
Quarter Sawn - Seems to glue well. I’ve used Titebond II and III and never had any problems.
- Also turns well. I’ve made several pens with it. Never had any problem with tearout while turning but might be a problem with end grain turning. I just haven’t tried it. Sands and finishes well on the lathe.
-- Leon -- Houston, TX - " I create all my own designs and it looks like it "
10 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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20793 posts in 721 days
posted 575 days ago
Thanks for the info, Leon.
I have never had the opportunity to work with bloodwood. But it does appear to be a gorgeous wood.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
dalec
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580 posts in 788 days
posted 575 days ago
I used bloodwood and curly maple on a pencil holder (woodwhisperer design) and it turned out great. The finish with the bloodwood has speckled sheen that changes with how light reflects off the finish. Leon is right about bloodwood’s tendency to chipout.
Dalec
Roper
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760 posts in 612 days
posted 575 days ago
hey leon a nice beefy 4 1/2 high angle plane does a good job taming that beast.
-- Roper - Master of sawdust-
Splinters
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169 posts in 1082 days
posted 575 days ago
Hi Leon….I have used it a bit in making cribbage boards. The only issue that came up for me was the irritation from the fine dust particules when sawing or sanding. Beautiful wood once it is finished..
-- Splinters - Living and Loving life in the Rockies - http://www.splinterswoodworks.com/ - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5220040
leonmcd
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198 posts in 871 days
posted 575 days ago
Splinters, I’ve never had any problems with it but I know that different people are sensitive to different woods.
Speaking of dust and chips, you should probably let people that might come in the shop know that your are working with bloodwood. Othewise they might see you covered in red and think you nicked an artery. lol
-- Leon -- Houston, TX - " I create all my own designs and it looks like it "
Karson
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25873 posts in 1300 days
posted 575 days ago
used Bloodwood for pens, But haven’t used it for anything else. Thanks for the tips.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Jimthecarver
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429 posts in 685 days
posted 562 days ago
I have found bloodwood turns very nice on the lathe and polishes to a high shine w/o using any finish.
It is a favorite of mine to work with.
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
GaryK
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9551 posts in 887 days
posted 558 days ago
It has a Janka hardness of 2900
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Andy
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571 posts in 807 days
posted 548 days ago
I love working with this wood.It darkens with time which is good for some projects,but not the look I want in others.The contrast with Maple is stunning. Check out this box I made for my daughter. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/2771
One of my favorite features of this wood is the smell.It has a rich spicey aroma like walking into a tabacco shop.
If you havent used this wood,I encourage you to give it a try.Andy
-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon
a1Jim
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17138 posts in 476 days
posted 118 days ago
Thanks Leon
nice work
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com