Tagua Nuts

[chartle]

Any one ever use these for an inlay?

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/...21f469702d06760016d0,5789257269702d4a04000097

I remember seeing these years ago and just found them again at Woodcraft.

 

[KenV]

Yes, but have no photos. The challenge was cutting thick veneer. Sanded off brown skin, epoxyed to wood block, cut about 1/8 thick slices on bandsaw and sanded one side flat.

There is a center void in the nut kernel so think with "x-ray vision" to try for most clear slices practical.

Have a source for bulk nuts I can probably dig up url if you want it.

You can turn the nuts allowing for void.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

I have made complete pens using tagua nuts. Was fortunate enough to be able to select the largest ones available from a basket full from Lee Valley Tools. It turns really well and is an excellent substitute for real ivory.

 

[Woodchipper]

Custom fishing rods builders use them. Look expensive when done. All over Africa, elephants are thankful for tagua nuts.

Off topic- Why don't elephants forget? They don't have anything to remember.

 

[Edgar]

Yes, but have no photos. The challenge was cutting thick veneer. Sanded off brown skin, epoxyed to wood block, cut about 1/8 thick slices on bandsaw and sanded one side flat.

There is a center void in the nut kernel so think with "x-ray vision" to try for most clear slices practical.

Have a source for bulk nuts I can probably dig up url if you want it.

You can turn the nuts allowing for void.

I'd be interested in that source also.

 

[chartle]

So is it hard like plastic or is it ah "nutty"?

 

[KenV]

Yes, but have no photos. The challenge was cutting thick veneer. Sanded off brown skin, epoxyed to wood block, cut about 1/8 thick slices on bandsaw and sanded one side flat.

There is a center void in the nut kernel so think with "x-ray vision" to try for most clear slices practical.

Have a source for bulk nuts I can probably dig up url if you want it.

You can turn the nuts allowing for void.

I'd be interested in that source also.

That source (www.ivorynutpalm.com) does not appear to still be around -- got the not available message. They were still in business 6 months ago. They had several different species of ivory nuts.

One World Projects - Tagua Nuts, Slices for Tagua Carvers is still in business for large nuts but have not ordered from them for several years.

 

[KenV]

So is it hard like plastic or is it ah "nutty"?

Not plastic -- more like bone or very dense wood (box wood).