I was fascinated with the Piassaba nuts that I found one time at a local woodworking store. I was wondering if it is possible to cut Piassaba nut shells in such a way that you can remove most of the center for use and still retain much of the shell for another project. That scaley outside pattern is fascinating, and I would love to use as much as possible in a project.
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Replies
Donald,
A quick search of the web turned up nothing on the nuts themselves. I found info in the trees but nothing on the nuts. From your description, they sound similar to tagua nuts, also known as vegetable ivory.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
An addition from the original dude.
I first found Piassaba Nuts for sale at a local woodworking store in their shells. They discontinued them. I since have seen them for sale at Gilmer Hardwoods online.
I would get TWO of them at least.. And look for something on Band Saw Boxes.. May give you a 'look' at the inside and still have something useful!
I have done a little work with the internal nut. It is possible to attack it with a nutcracker, but I would like to avoid that. The piassaba nut is solid (no tagua nut void), with pretty little auburn dots and dashes throughout. The problem is the "Have your cake and eat it too" dilemma. I would like to save as much of the nut as possible, but still also save as much as possible of that outer shell with the fascinating scales as well. It would be pretty as stubby legs or in some place in a project where you could employ a tube or ring.
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