Padauk

[alamocdc]

I got some of this in some time back and have been wanting to try it. Had a request for another orange pen, so I gave it a shot. I like it and it turns well, but it's a little more open grained than I was expecting from my initial look at it.

Go ahead, slam away. Thanks for looking!

 

[Fred in NC]

Billy, the pen looks real nice.

Padauk sure is open grained. I don't try to fill in the grain, it looks more natural with the grain as is. I have sold a number of pens in this wood.

 

[dancrafted]

I love the smell of padauk when turning. Nice pen.

 

[Bill Collier]

For open grained wood, I like to put on a couple of coats of CA before I start sanding at 1500 and up. I think people like the nice smooth feel.

 

[swm6500]

That is a good looking pen Billy B.

 

[WoodChucker]

Billy, nice job it looks good!

 

[Fangar]

It will likely darken up as time goes by. Looks like carrots shooting off your lathe, but warms up a bit eventually. Looks nice.

James

 

[vick]

Not sure if you know but Padauk has a tendency to go from Orange to Red and eventually turn brown when subjected to air and light. Depending on what finish you used it may stop the process. Just though you should be aware of the possibility before you sold it as an orange pen. I have a Padauk business card holder that I made that is now brown where the card do not cover and red behind the business cards.

 

[vick]

Looks like Fangar beat me to it[]

 

[alamocdc]

Thanks, all, and yes, I'm aware of the color change attributes of Padauk. However, I did not know that it would go to brown, Mike. I thought it just got red.

 

[vick]

Originally posted by alamocdc
<br />Thanks, all, and yes, I'm aware of the color change attributes of Padauk. However, I did not know that it would go to brown, Mike. I thought it just got red.

I found this link that explains a little bit about the color change
http://www.wflooring.com/Technical_Info/Species_Tech_Info/Species_Pages/padauk_african.htm

The Business card holder I refered to was just oiled as a finish, which according to the article would make sense why it changed so much. Though I would have to guess that light has a lot to do with it since it is still red behind where the cards sit. You might still call the color redish, but I would say brown is what first comes to mind. Now I have a waterbased poly finished chess board for the same amount of time that still looks bright red.

 

[ctEaglesc]

Good choice on the compnents and the overall look of the pen is great!
The first time I turned paduk I thought I had a pile of rust on the ways of the lathe.