snake wood

[turningfool]

has anyone here worked with this stuff at all?...have purchased the right and the left log..for small bowls and such..wondering about toxicity mostly

[Burlkraft]

I turned a small piece once. I know it tears out pretty easy.

Have no idee on toxicity   :  :

[low_48]

The penturner's forum I frequent talks a lot about snakewood. 99% of the trouble is with it cracking. It must be real mean to dry. Don't recall anyone talking about toxicity.

[SwampDonkey]

Never heard of it, what is it exactly? Is it a native tree to the US and are we talking "figured" name? My guess is some type of elm?

[turningfool]

I DO know that it comes from suriname indonesia,and that the term snake wood refers to only the heart of the tree,thus the extreme checking,and density of the wood..will see if i can find out what the tree species is before the exterior is stripped away

[Dodgy Loner]

Actually, a lot of it does come from Suriname, but Suriname is in South America, not Indonesia.  It is a wood of the northeast Amazon.  Scientific name is Brosimum guianense, a member of the Moraceae.  I've never heard anything about it being toxic.  Just don't get bit while you're turning it ;D.

[SwampDonkey]

I never see that kind of exotic wood around here. Mahogany is about it, maybe some teak. But your not going to get it from the local lumber broker or big box store. Seems to be more internet sales. Or I know someone who knows someone who can get it from someone. :D

[Dodgy Loner]

Most big cities have lumber dealers who specialize in exotic woods.  I've been to one in Atlanta who had snakewood logs about 6" in diameter and 5' long for $1200.

[SwampDonkey]

Yeah I can see that being the case. You'd have a lot of wealth in those large cities. And these small towns here, there might be a few with the money, but they hang on to it pretty tight. Maybe some doctors and lawyers get splashy, but I ain't been in many Doctor and Lawyer houses in my life. Actually, exactly none. About as flashy as most folks get is oak wainescoating or birdseye cupboards. ;D I remember when they built the Chalmers hospital they used some oak trim and there was a few complaints asking why a hospital should be all dressed up with expensive oak. And it was expensive to as I recall one old timer telling me how ridiculous it was. :D

[Lud]

So   Charlie............what was your source on logs of Snakewood?

It's pretty pricey stuff down at Kiem's in Charm, Ohio. That's Amish country.  They're one of the biggest importers of exotic woods east of the Mississippi.

I don't think the locals use it much.........

[turningfool]

i got mine for a song compared to the other places i checked...about 20% of the other quotes i received

[getoverit]

I have used snakewood for guitars and it does fine for fingerboards and guitar binding. It is a very dense wood and works pretty easy. If you are planning on turning it I would think that the checking is going to be your worst enemy. I havent had any issues with toxicity nor have I heard of anybody else having problems with it. Beautiful wood!!

[turningfool]

 i stand corrected..south america it is ;D my logs are 9-10 inches in diameter,and 52 and 94 inches long,will try a couple of bowls first and see what happens..i will try to turn them fairly thin and coat the wood as i turn it with something to retard moisture loss as i go..wish me luck!..sounds like i'll need it :D