Woods I like and woods I don't

Debra Faulkenberry

I only do one thing, really. Lace Bobbins. My hair chopsticks and dulcimer pics are just an extension of the lace bobbins. I often just use the same beads and coves that I am doing with the bobbins. Anyway, I have a "list" of woods that I have been working with. On one side are the woods that I like working with and on the other side I have listed woods that I don't like working with. You ask me why I would have an opinion? Well, I'll tell you. I turn stuff down to 1/8" around and 4" long. Some woods just don't do well under that kind of condition. Some works great. Andy asked me to make you a list, so here it is.

Good:

	Now, I realize that African Blackwood doesn't give me good odds. I break 75% of my bobbins that I try to make with it. It's just that the ones that don't break have a weight and a sheen that is just hard to describe. I almost hate to sell these, but I get my best prices with them, so far.
African Blackwood

	This oily wood seems to be a bit difficult on those little design shapes that I like to put in my bobbins. Yes. That's true. It's still such a stout wood and has such a high percentage of success rate, I love it. It's not easy to sand either, but when you do get it sanded down, looks just like a mirror!
Cocobolo

	One of my two all time favorites. Takes shape easily, is tough enough to take all the abuse that I give it with all those little beads and coves. Sands up nice. I love it.
Paela

	I am so glad I met this wood. It's tough, dense, and just downright beautiful! It takes shapes well and sands up oh so very nicely. I recommend it.
Bloodwood

	Not the easiest wood to work with, but I think that I am just afraid to break it. It's too expensive to replace. It does make a beautiful product, though. Doesn't take the clear coat like the Blackwood, but it makes a lovely lovely bobbin. I haven't been able to sell any of these, yet.
Ebony

	I would use this wood for absolutely anything! It's great to work with and, have you ever noticed that grain? Talk about optical illusion!!
Cherry

	I put these together for a reason. They both work up great and, surprisingly are both easy to work. Unfortunately, the wood is so lightweight that the bobbins aren't heavy enough to use in lace.
Cedar and Pine

	This stuff is great!! I can put the bend on this wood and have it come out in one piece. Okay, I'm a great one to tighten my wood down too tight between those centers. The hard maple never lets me down. Takes a great shine, too.
Hard Maple

You think hard maple is great? Well, let me tell you, Dogwood is better. Not only is the color often a nice warm pink, but the grain is awesome. I can't say enough about this wood. Did I ever tell you that it was also called Shuttlewood? That's because, in the garmet industry, they STILL use dogwood for their weaving shuttles. Why? Because it's so strong. They don't make any synthetics that can beat it. IF I could get my hands on some Persimmon, they say it's just as hard. I'll have to let you know.

Dogwood

	Well, I guess this one is okay. It works up nice. Can take a design real well. My disappointment comes from the way it just doesn't take a shiny finish.
Yew

	I am really proud of the amount of bobbins I have turned out with this wood. I like the strength of the wood, yet it's not so dense that you can't make a real dainty design. Takes a nice finish, too.
Yellowheart

	Well, I have made some of my prettiest things with walnut. And I have noticed that people gravitate toward the dulcimer pics that I make out of walnut. Guess they like that dark color, too. Takes a nice shine and works up quickly.
Walnut

	I love rosewood. It's dense and heavy, strong and takes the most awesome shine. You gotta love it. All of it. Aren't those colors just great?
Rosewood

	See above. I just love the purple grain lines. As most rosewoods go, they are known for their density. This one does them all one-up. The color just adds to the final piece. Takes a clear coat well, which is about all I can use on bobbins anyway since I have to stay away from any finish that would stain my tiny threads.
Kingwood

	Let me tell you my story about oak. A friend of mine gave me some pieces off of an old oak pallet. I turned some mighty pretty hair pics with that oak and, when I got it all shined up, you just wouldn't believe how 'purty' they turned out. Takes a little sanding. Like I told Mr. Dowell, I use them ALL when I turn oak....all grits, that is.
Oak

Who knew? The first bobbin I tried to turn with this stuff broke. That never stopped me for long. I proceeded to try again. I got some little scraps out of the trash barrel at WW101 and tried to see if I couldn't improve my odds. I am having some really good luck with the hair chopsticks. Of course, they don't have that 1/8" long neck. They can be turned quickly and sanded in no time. Take a pretty shine. Aren't really heavy so you have to really weight these down with spangles if you use them to make lace.

Mahogany

	I like this one. It's real nice to work with. Didn't have but one pen blank, so I can't tell you a whole lot about it, but the two bobbins that I did make with it, I sold right away, that means that someone else liked it, too.
Marblewood

Bad:

	As Doug Blanton will tell you, unless the grain is really really straight, you don't have a chance at all in making that long neck.
Teak

	This should only be used for kindling...(that's "starting fires" for you city folk)
Zebrawood

I have struggled with this one. I think I break about 80% of what I try to make with it. Sometimes it just breaks when I am sanding. I have had it break when I'm putting on the clear coat. It takes just the lightest touch. Hard for me to do when I am really in a hurry to PRODUCE! I did a weekend of yellowheart before I started working with the redheart. That may have caused my bad reaction to this wood, after having it so easy with the yellowheart.

Redheart

	You can actually make stuff with it, but it turns out so ugly, why bother? With all the voids and such, you just can't make a pretty bobbin. You carvers can have it.
Purpleheart

	It's not fair to even put this in the same category as all the others, since the grain isn't straight, it doesn't stand a chance when I try to cut it down to 1/8". On the other hand, I made a lace roller with this and was just amazed at the shine. For something larger than a bobbin or a chopstick, I'd recommend it for just being Purty!!
Curly Koa

	It's a brittle and very porous wood that is better used when it's not being whittled down to 1/8". The color is interesting, but darkens from a bold orange to a boring brown. I guess there aren't a lot of bobbins made from Padauk. At least they won't come from me.
Padauk