Replies

1. 
   JimV | Feb 13, 2007 05:25pm | #1

   Personally, I would put it on my lumber rack until I knew what I was going to do with it. As long as it has reached equilibrium (either KD or AD), the checks you've noted should not worsen. Since Cocobolo is a Dalbergia, a true rosewood, it's quite oily and would not accept much in the terms of stabilization (PEG or other).

   Put it up on the rack, take it down every once in a while and look at it carefully and eventually, the right project will come to you.

   good luck,

   Jim
   "There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other is that heat comes from the furnace." - Aldo Leopold

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/13/2007 9:35 am ET by JimV

1. 
   BroLuke | Feb 13, 2007 06:08pm | #2

   Thanks Jim,I should clarify by "stabilize" I meant to physically add say butterflys or in the case of once edge that the crack is misaligned; a spline or something....I agree is nothing comes at first, file it away but I also feel perhaps I should get more of a sense of it before "out of site".That cup is one thing that bugs me..if it was more flat it would have greater possibilities. As I looked closely last night I noticed that it's almost a full section of the tree with a bit of sap wood on each side although on one just a 1/4" or so.I guess in on sense it has enough issues to not be all that valuable or unique and that can be a blessing or curse: ie either in haste make smaller more solid boards or really give it some time and skill and salvage the entire board as -is.Thanks again,Bro. LukeBro.Luke

1. 
   Kevin | Feb 13, 2007 06:44pm | #3

   I love cocobolo! Particularly if it's from Nicaragua/Honduras as those have the best coloration IMHO. It's currently my favorite wood and I've got a couple small planks sitting around here waiting to be cut into.

   If it were me I would cut it down and use for smaller projects or accent pieces rather than try to salvage it as it is. Although I could imagine it salvaged with butterflies and whatnot playing a key role in some sort of Japanese-esque piece.

2. 
   KeithNewton | Feb 14, 2007 03:32am | #4

   Hey Luke. It sounds like the cupping is probably what you should normally expect from a wide flat sawn board as it dries. If you look at the end-grain, annual rings, it would normally cup away from the heart, and the smaller the arc of the rings, the more the cup.If you try to flatten it by surfacing it you will end up with a 1/2" or less thickness, so I guess you can rule that out. I would not cut it yet until you get some inspiration. You might want to shave a little off of the hump of the crown, so you can see how deep the dark color goes. I think this wood is great for small works, especially while it is fresh. Some woods just get better with age, however I think this is best when it is just finished before it darkens.

2. 
   LeeGrindinger | Feb 14, 2007 03:45am | #5

   "I guess this is the first piece of wood I'm letting make the decsion. Previously and still I design a piece and search the wood based upon my vision. Not so here."

   Hah!

   Given a choice I'm betting that stick would have chosen to be left alone to grow it's life away and die peacefully in the forest.

   Go ahead, enforce your vision on it- it's already dead.

   Lee

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Feb 14, 2007 07:29pm | #7

   Gee, it's getting harder to stir the pot around here.Lee

3. 
   Pondfish | Feb 14, 2007 04:11pm | #6

   I agree with most other posters: Leave it alone until you are ready to do something with it.

   Better yet, send it to me and I'll hold onto it for you.  I have a dwindling chunk of cocobolo who needs a friend.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
4. 
   MonteB | Feb 14, 2007 08:10pm | #8

   BroLuke,

   I also have a small chunk of cocobolo that has been sitting on a shelf in my shop for several years now...and will probably be sitting there for several more.

   I'm thinking that after I learn how to veneer successfully, that I will be able to find a use for it after I turn it into veneer.

   Monte

5. 
   withthegrain | Feb 14, 2007 08:20pm | #9

   Luke,

   I have worked all types of wood without any problems, a few years ago I bought a pretty chunk of cocobolo. I turned some handles on the lathe and the dust was really toxic to me. My skin became highly irritated and I had some serious breathing problems. Your experience may not be similar but I advise you take all precautions.

   Dennis

1. 
   BroLuke | Feb 15, 2007 06:51am | #10

   I guess I'll wait a while...I'm more curious as to what degree I should clean it up to see what's really there...to help with the design so I get the best of it.Thanks everyone!Bro. LukeBro.Luke

1. 
   TonyCz | Feb 15, 2007 08:10am | #11

   Turn pens with the wood Cocobolo makes for an awsome pen with a wax finish.

6. 
   Elcoholic | Feb 16, 2007 02:35am | #12

   A special piece of wood with live edges demands a special project.  As long as you're trying to listen to the wood read Krenov and Nakashima for inspiration.  I had a simliar situation  with two huge (25"x100"x2") Koa planks I made a my dining room table out of.  There was some twist to it that would have cost me way more thickness than I was willing loose in planing so I ripped them in thirds and pretty much cut the lost thickness by 2/3s in the process.  The glue lines are hard to see and it pretty much looks like a 1 5/8" thick, 2 board Koa table top with an ebony stringer.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC