Banksia.....timber.

[Col Smith]

G'day all,
I have seen several post regarding the Banksia Nuts.
They are the seed pod of the Banksia grandis.
The reason not many people get to turn this timber is that it cracks so quickly & so it is not very often you can get any decent sizes to turn.
Photo is of a pair of lamps I turned for a club competition.




Col

 

[Bill Boehme]

That is a very decent pair of lamps and the wood is beautiful as well, Col.

Thanks for explaining the story about Banksia wood. Did you do anything special to keep it from splitting?

I have had a Banksia pod rolling around in my shop for a few years -- whenever I see it, I kick it back under the work bench -- no idea why I bought it or what I might do with it -- a back scratcher seems like one possibility. 😀. It looks like turning it might be a messy proposition.

 

[Malcolm Tibbetts]

-- no idea why I bought it or what I might do with it --

Bill, here is one thing you can do with banksia pods...

 

[Bill Boehme]

Bill, here is one thing you can do with banksia pods...

Oh, wow, Malcolm. That is absolutely stunning. Do you remember how many of the pods you used? I remember seeing a demo many years ago where ribbons were created by cutting a couple bowls into wedges. This is definitely a giant step beyond that.

 

[Col Smith]

Seeing as this has gone from Banksia timber to nuts I may as well add this.

Our club competition was for anything made from Banksia Nuts
Here is my entry.. 31 cm diameter & 10cm tall....or 12" X 4".
Made from 30 nuts, some resin & heaps of patience.


Col