Carob wood

[rustfever]

Has anyone experience with Carob? I have just obtained three logs and have had them milled into 4/4, 8/4 and 16/4 flitches, boards, and cants. The wood is now ricked and drying.

 

[jayawave]

carob tree

I have the opportunity to get a nice carob trunk but haven't worked with it before.
Did it mill up nicely?
how did the slabs turn out?
wondering if it is worth it...

thanks

 

[rustfever]

The Carob wood has a fantastic appearance when the are freshly sawn. The tree trunks grow in sort of a segmented spiral manner. Getting flat boards is difficult. I have found it necessary to provide weight [or positive clamps] to keep the board somewhat flat. They tend to split down the pith.

As to turning, I have only played around. Once turned and dried, the colors and graining is great, but not as spectacular as I expected. One individual made me a pen out of the Carob. My assistant has been eye-ing the pen, so I am forced to lock it in my desk at nights.

When turning, you must be careful of the spiraled graining.

I think you will be impressed with the final product.

Good luck.

BTW, whate area of the country are you in?

Ira
Central Valley of California

 

[jayawave]

carob tree

thanks Ira
I am in Santa Barbara, California
I guess I will go for it and get the Carob
No one I know around here has ever milled it, so I figured it was no good.
The I saw some interesting postings on line about how amazing the wood is.
I usually stack and sticker and ratchet strap my fresh milled slabs so hopefully it will work with the carob too.

Peace

 

[rustfever]

Carob

If the tree is free, then Go-Fer-It.
If you will send me your email address, I will send you picture of of my logs and the sawn lumber.
ira
ira@mathenyindustrial.com

 

[jayawave]

carob tree

cool

jayawave@gmail.com