Bloodwood

[gusg]

OK, so I found out what happens when you are finishing piece cut out of blood wood and drop it. Is it just me or is bloodwood that brittle? Is there any other wood that will give me the same color but be more forgiving?
Gus

[Greenfield_Bob]

I guess pick it up and glue it back together.
Bob

[BobD (Archive)]

I've found that it doesn't matter what wood I'm using, the chances that it will break when I drop it increases exponentially the closer I am to finishing it. So I can almost guarantee that if I drop something that is finished it WILL break.


How close is Padauk in color to bloodwood? I think Padauk is a little more forgiving.

Bob Duncan
Scroll Saw Workshop

[will8989]

I love working with bloodwood and I've never had it break. I usually drop it on my foot and that cushions it! Maybe I've just been lucky? Now I can tell you it really really really hurts when it slams your fingers!

[jttheclockman]

Any wood when droped if it is thinly sawn will break or if there is alot of fret work in it. Try plastic. It was suggested padauk is a close second that is not totally true. It is a more orange color and is less dense and will turn a dark brown over time especially subjected to sun light. Blood wood is a true deep red and will stay that color even with time. To answer your question don't drop it. Some Bubingas are close to deep red. You can try plywoods and stain to a red. It does hurt when you put all that effort in the piece and have it come crashing down. Try to always work over a table top. This way if it cracks it is savable but if it breaks into many pieces forget it and chalk it up to a learning experience.

[gusg]

Fixed

Well, I picked up the pieces and glued them back together. It doesn't look bad. I'll have to post a picture it.

Gus

[Gill]

Be careful you don't drop your camera, Gus.



Gill

[PiALaModem]

When I am cutting solid wood that is very thin, I glue a piece of 1/16" plywood to the back of it before cutting. If the plywood shows along some of the larger areas, I use a sanding stick to bevel it back from the edge.

This doesn't help if you want both sides visible.