Azobe

[phil harold]

De nephew is going to get me a piece Azobe Railroad tie
has any one ever turned this stuff?
what can I expect?

http://www.westafricanwood.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119&Itemid=103

[Bob Bergstrom]

Yes it will be a real experience. A friend of mine gave me a broken tie they stress tested. He said it was three times stronger than American oak and a tie of it is about all two people can lift. It is an open grain wood with somewhat yellow pours. Hard on chainsaws and bandsaw blades. It will require frequent sharpening. The wood itself is a mellow brown, but not much figure. I used what I have left to block or support heavy things. Did I mention it is brittle,dusty and turns off in little bits and crumbs. Needless to say, I have many other woods that are much more pleasing to turn

[phil harold]

Yes it will be a real experience. I have many other woods that are much more pleasing to turn
Maybe I will let him turn it....