Pepper / Salt Mill Question

[Mike Minto]

Having never turned or used a home made pepper or salt grinder, I was wondering if there were any woods that should not be used for this purpose - for instance, if any of the wood does get abraded by the grinding mechanism, what wood particles would one want to avoid ingesting (or is this just not a problem with a properly made mill)? Also, for those of you who have made them, do you make the pair in dark/light woods, for easy identification? Got any photos to share? Thanks, Mike

[Thom Sturgill]

I have been told not to use any of the rosewoods due to the number of people with allergies. (This after I had bought some nice Cocobolo :( - but I turned it into some nice candlesticks :o)

I have turned two sets, both using matched woods. I cut a bead on one and a raised cove on the other. That is just enough for people to learn which is which while still making them an obvious set. My next set will be pepper grinder & salt shaker and will be of different size. Both will have celtic knots.

This is not a good picture, as the top of one appears offset, but it will show you what I meant about the cove and bead.

[Roger Alexander]

Mike so far I have only used a few different types of wood. Walnut, Cherry, soft and hard maple, currly maple mahogany. When I make them out of the same kind of wood. I will on the bottom end use one bead or small grove for the salt and two for the pepper. On some I have place a small piece of dark or light wood at the very top to tell the difference. Good luck

[Bernie Weishapl]

Most that I have made have been walnut, cherry, mahogany, maple, mulberry and elm. Always have used kiln dried wood. I use chef specialties and they have a S and P stamped on the top nut.

[John Fricke]

Here's a pair I made for the LOML for Mothers day. It was an exotic but name escapes me. I made the pepper mill than used what was left to make the salt shaker.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=117395&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1241402583 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=117395&d=1241402583)

[Bob Vavricka]

Mike,
Here is a link to a picture of a set of mills made with walnut and curly maple. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=99718
I liked the different colors because there is little confusion about which is salt and which is pepper. I did make a set for myself using the same wood and plan to get an S and P engraved on the top to identify which is which. I used the Crush Grind mechanisms and liked them.
Bob V.

[shaun gardner]

I would disagree that there are any woods you shouldnt use. cocobolo has been used by many for pepper mills. If you have concern use dewaxed shellac as a sealer. it will stick to rose woods despite their oily content. Rose woods are just to beautiful to pass up.