Lignum Vitae

[savage1]

To use or not to use, that is the question.
If yes, how do you prep it for gluing?

I Hear it does not glue well.

Lou

[BigJim]

If you can get it, it will work fine. I have a few blocks, but don't get much call for it as it is rare.

Had a customer in China just had to have a bow with it in. Looks real good, but Vera looks just as good.

bigjim

[snapper1d]

I have several boards of it an being rare I cant bring myself to use it.It has glued real well for me in the past using SmoothOn.

[savage1]

They have it here by me. Pricey.
Looks like wavy, feathery action wood kinda sorta..
Heavy as all.
I think it would look great.

Lou

[snapper1d]

Is it real lignum? Some sell what they call lignum but is actually vera.

[monterey]

Isn't lignum vitae about the heaviest SG of all wood?  Seems like it could be a good footing wood.

[BigJim]

LIgnum is quoted to be the heaviest of all traded wood. Probably would make good footings, but it would be $$$$ for arrows.

BigJim

[halfseminole]

I've been hunting some lignum for thumb rings-I tend to use dogwood right now but lignum is harder and denser-allowing me to save a little weight.  If anyone has a decent source of scraps let me know, I'll work out something for you.  Either cash or a thumb ring or two.

[William F. Adams]

Woodcraft has a sale on now, for a turning pack at half price which includes six different exotics, one of which is Argentinean Lignum Vitae --- I picked up a pack while I was there, hoping to use it to make the wearing parts for a lever limb compound bow.

There is a company which is sustainably growing and harvesting Lignum Vitae for the traditional use in bearings:  http://lignum-vitae-bearings.com/

There was a bow made of it on the extremely Big AuctionY site a while back --- rather regret not having bid on it.

[snapper1d]

Argentinean Lignum Vitae is not the genuine Lignum Vitae.

[savage1]

I don't know for sure what this stuff is but it is very wavy/feathery looking shades of olive, heavy and expensive.
My concern is gluing to an ibeam of some sort for filler as these are like 2/4 maybe 3/4.

Even the guy at the wood shop said it doesn't glue well but I don't think any of them use smooth on..

It sounds like just sand and glue is the best instead of an acetone wash.

Lou

[snapper1d]

I use SmoothOn and have had no problems with gluing Lignum vitae or vera wood.Just sand,glue,clamp and heat.When you sand it be sure to wipe or blow all the dust off.It feels like wax.I could see that the dust might be a problem.