experience finishing black palm

Re: experience finishing black palm

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>I make turned lidded boxes and small vases from black and red palm. I cannot get enough of the stuff. For those that do not know, the structure of palm is like a grass (no growth rings and grain is dispersed), turning generates dust, and aggressive sanding cause ridges.

1) I sand with the lathe off to 400 grit. Check for loose spines and ridges.

2) I rub on a tung oil/shellac emulsion and buff it dry on the lathe. This darkens the color considerably and helps seal this very porous wood,

3) I further fill the pores will a dark or red pore filler. For pens, you may not need to go throught this step.

4) I hand rub on 3 coats of Waterlox with 800 grit paper. For pens, you may wish to use more shellac or Deft lacquer.

5) After the finish is hard, I sand with Micromesh and wax.

John

Re: experience finishing black palm

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>My experience with Black Palm is in Segmented Bowls, Eggs, and Bottle stoppers.

It is hard material, and responds well to sanding with high grits (2000 grit and above)

I have used Tung oil and Poly mix on it with good effect.

I have used spray Lacquer with good effect.

I have used a friction polish (wax and Shellac) with good effect.

Mark

Re: experience finishing black palm

JamieDonaldson

>Thin CA glue makes a great finish for pens made from palm. It reminds me of celery when its really green!