Snake bitten!

[devowoodworking]

Here's a set of flat top americans dressed in Snakewood
I made a similar set to this one and sent it out as a gift to a fellow puzzlemaker friend for Christmas and of course the set he got cracked on both pen and pencil That's what you get for testing fate:frown:

 

[CaptG]

That is a sweet looking set. I stopped turning the stuff because of the crack habit. (on the pens, that is)

 

[mywoodshopca]

Looks great! why do they crack so much?

 

[toolcrazy]

Gorgeous pair, nice work.

 

[devowoodworking]

why do they crack so much?

Jason, all I know is that there are three groups of pencrafters;:biggrin:

The unfortunate, that have made a 'Snakewood' pen, and eventually had them crack!

The fortunate, that have made a 'Snakewood' pen, and still boast no cracking!:handshake:

The very fortunate, that have not made a 'Snakewood' pen, wisely staying out of the first two groups,:star:
I now wish I still belonged to this group!:curse:

 

[Constant Laubscher]

Nice pens, just a sad you are having problems with it.

 

[rdunn12]

The unfortunate, that have made a 'Snakewood' pen, and eventually had them crack!

I am part of this group!!I am also in the "did'nt even get through drilling it group".The last one I made went for about 3 weeks and one day I was at my desk on the computer and heard it crack.Picked it up and sure enough a 1 1/2 inch crack.:frown:No more Snakewood for me.

 

[Dalecamino]

Nice looking set John . Maybe these will hold up for you .

 

[Skye]

Looks great! why do they crack so much?

Bad moral upbringing...

 

[arjudy]

I got a couple of snakewood blanks about 4 years ago and still have not turned them. I don't know if I ever will because of all the problems associated with that species. Sorry to hear that yours cracked.

 

[its_virgil]

I suppose Anthony and I should boilerplate my next comment about snakewood pens since we both have posted it several times. :biggrin: Make snakewood pens. :RockOn:Instead of worrying about if or when they will crack just turn the blanks and let them set until they crack. It may take several days or weeks. Then put them back on the lathe and repair the crack with a slurry of CA and sanding dust. The crack will be almost undetectable and in some cases not detectable. We both agree that a cracked and repaired snakewood pen is nicer than most any other wooden pen. Stop worrying...life is too short. Make those snakewood pens and enjoy them. BTW, I've not had to repair or replace any snakewood pen I've made this way. Congrats to those who have made them and not had one crack.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[jimm1]

Sharp Drill, slow drilling is the way to go. You still most likely will get cracks. I just hate hearing that sound.
Whether your first turn is successful or not, save your shavings and the snakewood dust from sanding. Depending on the size of the cracks, use either the shavings or the sanding dust to fill the cracks. Then use thin CA glue over the cracks. Continue sanding. You'll get a beautiful pen.

 

[Ligget]

I have yet to try Snakewood, it is beautiful on pens though so I may try Don`s approach!

 

[devowoodworking]

Thanks for that tip Don...I have not actually seen the cracked pen/pencil set but it does sound like they might be candidates for the repair.:good:

 

[VisExp]

Beautiful pair of pens John. I'm still in the later camp but would like to make some pens out of snakewood someday.

 

[bitshird]

It is such a beautiful wood, I haven't turned any yet, but will face the heart break some day, that is a beautiful set

 

[redfishsc]

Those are some of the nicest flat-tops I've seen. Very pretty.

You are a brave soul. I personally haven't even touched a piece of snakewood, for this very reason.....maybe one day....

Bad moral upbringing...

You see a lot of that in your area, don't you

 

[Mather323]

They look great