KOA wood

[Rich Stewart]

Hi everybody, Anybody had any experience with turning KOA wood from Hawaii? The is some on Ebay and a chat buddy of mine in Hawaii says his dad makes Ukes out of it. Says it is hard wood and his dad soaks it in water to soften it up a little. Looks like it would make a nice bowl. Also looks like it could get right pricey too. It seems I have figured out my problem with my chuck and spindle size. PSI had an adapter that i think will fit. Thanks for all your help on that one. Still haven't tried the zebrawood. Think I'll wait for the chuck to try that. Was sweating like a dog last saturday turning some walnut on my deck. That stuff is hard to get off of your skin when its wet. Looks like I glued shavings into my sandals. Lol. Sweat in my eyes, ruined two pieces of I was trying to turn. Broke cause I got a little too aggressive. Had to make small candle holders out of them. No fireplace so i have to find other things to do with my boo boos. Blah blah. here i go again. Anyway anybody ever try turning KOA wood?

[Adam Howard]

Hi Rich..

I've turned a couple out of koa, and it turns beautifully. It's a little hard, but nothing to worry about. Just make sure you use sharp tools. The figured grain wants to chip out a little, but it's manageable with proper technique.

Very expensive!! If you get figured wood, you can spend a fortune. The blank for this little guy (6.5 x 3) ran $40.

http://home.comcast.net/~oxhoward/P1010128.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~oxhoward/P1010118.JPG

[Michael Stafford]

I have turned some curly koa for pens and it was beautiful. I had no problems turning it. I have also turned some koa spindle sized stock without problem and it finishes wonderfully. Beautiful color and grain....

I have read what Adam wrote in relationship to chipping in books and magazines but have not experienced it myself. Probably because I have not had access to more than a few pieces of the wood.

[Carole Valentine]

I have a piece of Koa that a friend from the Big Island sent me. I just took it out to the shop today thinking that I may turn it this weekend. It will make a small bowl. Will let you know what I think.

[Ed Davidson]

The box and yoyo on the left are dark Koa and the yoyo on the right is from blond Koa...my favorite. Turns like walnut, nice and easy.

[John Hart]

When I lived on Oahu, I had the opportunity to get lots of scraps from home construction so I made several jewelry boxes and treasure chests. I thought that its behavior was pretty much identical to walnut...but of course, the colors were much more striking. These were my pre-turning days...wish I could go back a few years!;)

[Ron Parsons]

A friends son sent me some "scraps" a little while ago.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/albums/rtparso/Koa.JPG