Found some cheap in a local craft store, it looks a little darker than balsa. Has a nice tight grain an no knots. The store guy said it’s from Africa. I was thinking of using it to make decorative fins and tail blocks, thought it wood look good next to some purple heart wood, and dark walnut.
If anyone has used it please let me know how you got on and if there is any think to watch out for, any pictures.
Cheers.
"Empires" ? No. I've been working wood 30 years and I've never heard of it.
If you mean Empress Wood, then we are probably talking about Paulownia, wonderful stuff, light but strong and easy to work.
It's not from Africa tho'; it's Native to Asia.
It's currently very popular for making alaia's.
Does it look like this?
Thanks
Yer that’s right emperess, posting from my phone so predictive text can be a b*tch sometimes.
Heard of paulowania before, but never seen it available over here before though. Difficult to see from the picture, the pieces in the shop were only about a ft long and were unfinished, the grain looked closer and a bit more 'wavey’on a few pieces there was a little bit of pinkish purple very faint though. Maybe taken from close to the centre of the tree?
Very nice alaia BTW.
I may have to try to find where the shop get it from to see it I can get it in longer lengths. It seems relatively cheap for exotic woods, they useally cost a bomb over here.
Hey woody,get in touch with tris at home blown he’s got a rack full of planks in stock…I’ve used it on some hand planes recently. He’s got lengths well over 6ft maybe upto 8’ cant remember width but I think about 6"+ and at least 1" thick.
Cheers
Rich
Www.thirdshade.com
