Saguaro Cactus Rib Jr.

[PenWorks]

This Jr, is made from an unussual wood rib from the saguaro plant. Link to the plant. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/saguaro_cactus.htm

The back ground are actual dried ribs, which take about 1-2 years to dry after the cactus has fallen. Also the wood is approx 100-200 years old.

Very hard to find ribs big enough with little viening to drill & cut into pens, Then the wood is so soft it nearly disinagrates on the lathe. When I get one that actually makes it to completion, the grain is real pretty. I sanded that one rib to show the grain.

I hate to say it, but it very touristy and I sell all I make, but only make 1-3 a month. I always include a base which is just the natural rib to show the contrast.

Anthony

 

[Fred in NC]

Pretty!

I imagine you use some CA along the way. Have you tried stabilizing the wood ?

 

[wayneis]

It's just down right amazing what we can find to cut up in chunks and spin and turn on a lathe and then sell to a customer. Is this fun or what? Nice looking pen Anthony.

Wayne

 

[olsenla]

Anthony,

Very nice job on the pen!! I found your use of the cactus rib very interesting. We just returned from a two week vacation in Arizona around the Tombstone/Tucson area, 1st time I had seen saguaro cactus in person. I'm impressed!!

Larry

 

[Doghouse]

Very nice stuff. You know what they say, turn it and they will come.

 

[tipusnr]

Great job!

 

[jkirkb94]

Wow, I like that! Doesn't sound like something you can just pick up at your local Woodcraft.[] Kirk [8D]

 

[jkirkb94]

Wow, I like that! Doesn't sound like something you can just pick up at your local Woodcraft.[] Kirk [8D]

 

[darbytee]

That's pretty darn cool Anthony! Whatever will you think of next?

 

[PenWorks]

Yea Fred, CA does keep this thing together. I never thought about stabalizing, I thought it was to pourus. I have a bunch of blanks gathered to be sent off to the guy Wayne refered, I will have to gather a couple of ribs and throw them in the batch, Can't hurt and only cost 1.00 to see the results. I live on 5 ac in the desert and had about 3 big ones go down this year. To bad the dry times takes forever. Wayne ,that one guy that uses a hair dyer to dry his finish, would go crazy waiting two years for his wood to dry out! Anthony

 

[Bev Polmanteer]

Well Anthony, you one-uped me! I had just cut off some pieces of a couple dead ones we have. Oh well, now I know what they will look like! Beautiful!

 

[PenWorks]

Sorry Bev, but it's good to know you will sell it real quick. I used CA to keep it together while cutting it, and then put a poly finish on it to still keep together. They cut & drill like there is nothing there. Good luck, can't wait to see yours. Anthony