Milling Ebony?

TreeBones · December 23, 2015, 02:39:39 PM

Has anyone ever milled Ebony? I know it's a Appendix II class for importing, dense, hard and the sawdust is mildly toxic. Just wondered if anyone has any experience?

Dan_Shade · December 23, 2015, 03:24:33 PM

I have worked small pieces by hand, it is very hard.

Magicman · December 23, 2015, 04:13:18 PM

No experience, but it is good to see you come up for air Ron.

TreeBones · December 23, 2015, 04:18:27 PM

MM, Been backed up with orders and trying to catch up.

I am looking at milling some 6" up to 10" X 6' logs and not sure about clamping down such small logs on my LT40HD. Should be able to cut easy enough but I here blades will dull pretty quick.

Chuck White · December 23, 2015, 04:24:45 PM

Good to see you, TreeBones.

If you're busy sawing, the old mill must be doing good!

TreeBones · December 23, 2015, 04:35:08 PM

Chuck, The mill passed one million bdft a few years ago, should fill out my paperwork at WM to get my parts discount. Cant say enough good stuff about my mill, it has done a great job for all these years.

Chuck White · December 23, 2015, 04:48:02 PM

Congratulations on the "Million"!

I'm hovering right over "Half Million" at this time.

mesquite buckeye · December 25, 2015, 02:18:49 AM

Just cut a persimmon. That is an ebony. ;D 8) 8) 8)

vt k-9 · December 25, 2015, 06:29:39 AM

I cut a log a few years ago. It is like cutting steel. A few cuts burned a blade beyond use. I was running the lube full speed. Very cool wood. Will

John S · December 25, 2015, 10:08:29 AM

Check with Marty Parsons about the special blades (stellite?) that WM manufactures for cutting exotics.

tule peak timber · December 25, 2015, 11:33:26 AM

I have a guy repeatedly contacting me , asking me to cut ebony by the container full, is he calling you also ? Rob

Kcwoodbutcher · December 25, 2015, 01:51:47 PM

I've cut ebony in the shop and yeah it's hard but doable with regular blades if you take your time. I've cut jarra on the mill and I think it's a little harder. It also cut well with regular blades but you have to take your time and use lots of lube.

SLawyer Dave · December 25, 2015, 02:09:41 PM

Just a word of warning, if you are going to be dealing with exotic, imported species, make sure you know who you are dealing with and that they have all of the proper import licenses, (especially anyone wanting you to cut up shipping container lots).

Gibson Guitar found out a few years ago just how far the feds will go to crack down on importation of restricted species. They have been raided several times and had thousands of board feet confiscated. They ended up getting their wood back after lengthy and expensive litigation, but to a small business, it would kill you off with just the fines and fees let alone the litigation costs.