Exotic Wood Inlay ?

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Permalink Reply by Will Sampson on May 20, 2009 at 12:15pm

I think the best food-safe finish is just plain old mineral oil. It doesn't provide a lot of protection, but it's simple to apply and re-apply, and it's absolutely safe. What exotic woods are you considering? I've used Oregon myrtlewood for salad bowls and ipe (sometimes called Brazilian cherry) makes great chopsticks -- except they are so dense they sink in the water when you are washing them!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Davis on May 22, 2009 at 9:28am

Will,
I sent you a couple of replies , Didn`t know if you received them, still learning the site !
I`m using Rosewood, Yellowhart and Black walnut .
I didn`t know if the constant cutting , on exotic wood , over time,would effect ones health !
Thanks Steve.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Tank on May 20, 2009 at 1:41pm

Steve... I did a search on poisonous wood speices and came up with nothing, you could try it too. I have inlaid ebony, rosewood, zebrawood,many types of mahogany, teak, apple, lilac, and others into spoon handles, bowls, plates, serving dishes. The only problem is they expand and contract at different rates than some domestic woods like maple. Some of the classic woodworking mags that have web sites have wood densities & other technical info in their archives. It's still always good to do test pieces in your own shop before doing a job of any size, unless it's for you mother. They just love anything you do! But get a real job, OK honey??

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Permalink Reply by Steve Davis on May 22, 2009 at 9:19am

Thanks for the reply Jim.

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Permalink Reply by Gary L. White on June 10, 2009 at 7:30pm

Steve, Inlaying is relatively easy and can be done with special router bits and collars, or with veneers and a razor knife. You are right to be concerned about toxicity. First, the inlayed wood could be toxic. Many woods have a toxic effect on some people or all people depending on the wood. If you pick a wood you like, research its toxicity before using it. It is also possible to use a common hardwood piece that is not toxic (like maple) as an inlay and use various wood dyes on the piece you will inlay. Most dyes loose their toxicity once the solvents have had adequate time to evaporate, but check the specs from the manufacturer. If I found a dye that would eventually be safe, I would dye the piece (or multiple pieces) with the color(s) I want and let them cure completely before inlaying them. I would also clamp them between materials that would both keep them flat and allow the solvents to be slowly absorbed out of the wood.

For a safe finish, I use Salad Bowl finish which can be found from multiple suppliers. The solvents in it evaporate usually within 72 hours making it safe to use under food.

Good Luck.
Gary

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Permalink Reply by Gary L. White on June 10, 2009 at 7:54pm

Steve, I forgot to give you some good web sites to look up different kinds and colors of wood. Here they are. Gary

Friends of the Earth has different wood species and common uses.
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/resource/good_wood_guid...

Amateur Woodworker has a section on hardwoods.
http://www.am-wood.com/index.html

Woodworker Central has a woodsampler section with pictures.
http://www.woodworking.org/

Tropical woods from Belize can be seen at:
http://consejo.bz/belize/wood.html

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Permalink Reply by Steve Davis on June 10, 2009 at 9:06pm

Thanks for the websites Gary...
I sent a message to a gentleman at " Woodworker Central "
Just waiting for a reply now !!!
Thanks again,
Steve Davis

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