Tom, Lignum Vitae > >So far no one has volunteered any information on Lignum Vitae. >Have you any knowledge of its properties, or any experience >in its use?
I've used it for making musical instruments (recorders and shawms) when it turns like brass and takes on a natural burnished finish. It is also a favourite with Northumbrian Small Pipe makers, tribes of whom used to infest my workshops and fill all the metal lathe leadscrews with lignum vitae dust :-( Some lignum specimens exude a greenish powdery surface deposit in time which is rather like verdigris and doesn't add to the appearance. The main problem I imagine would be obtaining large enough pieces as, even when plentiful, the logs were only 12" - 14" diameter. Jointing up wide boards from narrow stock would be risky as it doesn't hold glue very well due to its density and rather 'oily' surface. Tony Moss
