Comments on: Leadwood

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:13:01 +0000

Is leadwood and mgrure more or less interchangeable or are there significant differences between them?

By: Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 22:23:25 +0000

My extraordinarily heavy 24″ leadwood bowl. I made an angle iron ring with cast iron casters to move this 100# beauty around!

By: Andri Snær Þorvaldsson

Andri Snær Þorvaldsson — Sun, 07 May 2023 23:20:33 +0000

Thank you for a very useful database!
Just finished turning this from Leadwood.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:46:25 +0000

In reply to Danny Jenner.

Danny,

I also ordered a Holzkern watch with leadwood. I’m wondering what I can put on the wood to protect it from rain, etc… Turtle wax? Some kind of oil?

By: Kenny

Kenny — Thu, 28 May 2020 03:59:57 +0000

I live in Zambia and use the wood regularly. It is great for turning but very hard even green. If it fully dried it will break tools, including carbide. I turn vases and lamps sanded down to 800 and it doesn’t need anything on it. No wax, varnish, or oil. The wood is so dense it shines beautifully. I have noticed it is susceptible to cracking but I keep CA glue on the lathe and when i notice cracks appearing I hit it with the glue and it usually stops them in their tracks. We have trees in the 55+ range which yield some really nice workable wood for furniture. We typically wait for them to get hit by a storm or strong wind where you can find large branches that have fallen. Branches of 30+ can be picked up. However, if you wait too long and they get too dry they are extremely difficult for the mill. You can really damage some blades and if you do you will mess up your wood with waves. I have found the new 747 blades from Wood-Mizer work the best. We have tried the 10-30’s, 4-10’s, and the carbide tipped but the 747’s worked the best. We typically cut our wood at least 1 inch thicker due to the waves in the wood which is taken out in the surfacing process. The Wood makes beautiful cutting boards, serving trays, platters, bowls, etc. however, it is not so kind to the knives as a cutting board. The Wood makes beautiful wooden home decor but is very heavy.

By: Danny Jenner

Danny Jenner — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 14:11:07 +0000

In reply to victor. Hi Victor sorry for the delayed response, yes it is the Holzkern Kay Model

By: Wynand Uys

Wynand Uys — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 11:29:47 +0000

Thank you for the info.
Thanks, Derrick for the additional comments.
As regards odor:
To me it has a pleasant characteristic odor.
Very noticeable sweet, spicy smell when worked.
Its smoke is also aromatic.
It does turn very well, if cutters are sharpened regularly.
In South Africa it is now a protected species, though not CITES listed.

By: victor

victor — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 10:21:02 +0000

In reply to Danny jenner. is it a Holzkern?

By: Danny jenner

Danny jenner — Fri, 17 May 2019 12:38:50 +0000

very informative, I have a watch which has Leadwood in the strap and bezel, looks very nice

By: José

José — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 18:28:43 +0000

Thanks for the information Derrick, very useful.
What finishing would suggest? Wax?