Replies

1. 
   parrothead | Mar 17, 2005 10:06pm | #1

   Mark take a look at Holly wood. It is very white, very tight grain and is wood so using woodworking tools is as non issue.

   We are the people our parents warned us about. J. Buffett

   
   

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   Edited 3/17/2005 3:07 pm ET by Mike

2. 
   EdHarrison | Mar 17, 2005 10:34pm | #2

   Dogwood may do the trick - the white sapwood parts. It's hard, dense and "self-polishing" - in Colonial America it was frequently used for loom parts due to the density and high degree of smoothness it would polish to. Still mourning the loss of my big dogwood, felled by Hurrican Ivan last year, but I got some good lumber out of it.

3. 
   qldwoodie | Mar 17, 2005 11:45pm | #3

   Try Tagua nuts - aka "vegetable ivory".  Do a search for some place that sells them, or someone reading this thread will know of a convenient source.  They are a bit bigger than a golf ball and oval-shaped, with a hollow centre.  The woody part is stark white and will polish just like ivory - glues well, should be ideal for plugs...

   Cheers,

   IW

4. 
   joinerswork | Mar 18, 2005 05:26am | #4

   Mark,

   In addition to the suggestions already made, you might look at an ivory substitute used for handles by knifemakers.  Called "artivory" or something similar, it's really ivory colored micarta.  Also the corian type countertop material might be satisfactory. Scraps are free from your local cabinet shop.

   Regards,

   Ray