50,000 year old humidor

[Bill Wyko]

Here are a few pics of a desk top I just finished. The unique thing about this humidor is that it's 50,000 years old. The darker wood is called Kauri. The trees this wood comes from grew for 10,000 years in a warm climate. Then an ice age came along and they were buried by a glacier 50,000 years ago and frozen in time. (This wood also debunks global warming) Now that the earth is going through its natural warming cycle, the trees were discovered by farmers when their plows would hit them. Some of the trees are in excess of 20 feet in diameter. It's a very difficult wood to work with. The sawdust is like flower or finer. When finished properly, it has an iridescent like a school of fish swimming by. Anyway, Here are the pictures of the humidor. Please enjoy.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22594523/375576938.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22594523/375576937.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22594523/375576945.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22594523/375577174.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22594523/375577176.jpg

[Sean Hughto]

Nice box and I'm jealous on the wood ( I love trying new kinds), but the fact that the Earth has had different climates in the past due to natural causes, in no way proves that current warming is also natural. People die of natural causes all the time, but but that doesn't mean everyone who dies did so of a natural cause. and the assumption might be especially dubious if they happen to have a fresh bullet hole in their back.

[Brian Gumpper]

Nice box Bill, now we need to see some smokes in it worthy of such a nice piece of work.

[Ed Sallee]

Once again, beautiful work, Bill!

I've been waiting to see this wood, as you've mentioned it in a few of your other posts - forcing me to follow the google leads to learn more about it. It looks awesome - and it's really cool to be able to follow the heritage of the wood. It is indeed, in good hands.

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks guys. The region where this wood was discovered now has trees growing again that are around 3000 to 4000 years old so if it copies its history, it may be warm for a while. The live trees are protected now so no cutting of live trees. The power of a glacier is truly amazing. Kind of like wood movement. Given enough wood and the right conditions, you could move mountains.
IMHO, climate change is due more to nature than us. I will agree though that we do make a difference. Not up for debate, just my opinion.

Back to the Kauri, to get the best effect from the woods grain, sand it to a 2000 grit finish and apply about 10 coats of lacquer. Next block it out to 2000 grit then rub it out with an automotive rubbing compound. Then I use a quality automotive wax. This will really bring it to life. Unfortunately, pictures don't even come close to doing it justice.

[Brad Wood]

nice box, nice wood. you do really nice work.

I just looked up that wood... wow, $30 to $100 per bdft, better be nice

[John Keeton]

Just absolutely incredible!! Bill, is it possible to get a macro shot of just the Kauri? I would love to see the color, grain and finish a bit closer. Wonderful mix of complimentary woods, too. Of course, I love curly maple.

[Steve Clardy]

Very nice!!

[Bill Wyko]

You know John, I realized I didn't take any pics of the Kauri close up just as the Fedex driver was driving away with it. :confused: The good news is though that I have a lot more where that came from.:D

[Ed Sallee]

Hey John..... check out this link on Kauri (http://www.ancientwood.com/video/example-whitebait-grain-activity) (yep...Bill forced me to test my google skills)..... Play the video, they are trying to show the grain.... the rest of the site is interesting as well....

Cool Stuff, Bill.... Excellent looking Humi!

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks Ed. That's exactly what the wood looks like as you walk by. As you are building your project, you'll think it looks dull and plain. Then when you get it to 2000 grit finish and get some lacquer on it, it will all come alive. It's subtle if you look straight at it but it moves with you across a room. That video really is cool.

[tyler mckenzie]

Great work! Loving the Kauri.

http://tealandgold.blogspot.com/

[John Keeton]

Ed, thanks for the link!! That stuff looks like liquid - really neat!! Amazing info on the site, too.

[Ryan Sparreboom]

What happened to the pics??? Can't see anything but little red x's.?

Ryan

[John Thompson]

Nice box as usual Bill. Love the look of the Kauri. I read up on it several years ago after Googling to a site that the company recovers it. Large indeed before milling and quite fascinating. But.. I have never seen it after a finish was applied.

[Conrad Fiore]

Two interesting sites discussing how Kauri trees might have become buried.
http://www.ancientkauri.co.nz/
http://www.gumdiggerspark.co.nz/The%20Kauri.htm

[Mike Minto]

Doesn't look a day over 9000. mike :D

[Bob Abbott]

Really nice work, Bill. I like the way Kauri and the curly maple work together. I first saw Kauri in New Zealand in the 90's. They have a museum on the north island that has a lot of spectacular samples of Kauri.

[Dana Nurmela]

No disappointment in this one! ;)

[Bill Wyko]

Really nice work, Bill. I like the way Kauri and the curly maple work together. I first saw Kauri in New Zealand in the 90's. They have a museum on the north island that has a lot of spectacular samples of Kauri.


What a wonderful opportunity. Did you get to climb the stair case? Immagine a Maloof rocker made of Kauri.:rolleyes::D

[Mark Valsi]

Darn it Bill,

You do good work !!!!!