shastastan
Member
I've had a big block of Wenge sitting on the shelf for some years. I decided to make 10 pen blanks with a cut from it. Everything went fine until I started turning the first pen. I've noticed that the grain seems similar to red oak which I don't turn at all. I'm using sharp carbide tools and have to be very careful not to take too much of a bite. I'm only on my first pen, but sometimes pieces will splinter off. I keep backing the tool off and try to be very easy on the cut and just produce saw dust. I don't think that I've ever turned Wenge before so I guess my question is....Did I let the block sit around too long or is the splintering just a characteristic of this wood. Thanks for any comments.