Lignum vitae tree

[CoolerKing]

Of interest to the luthiers, the lignum vitae I planted in my yard yesterday:



Now beginneth my world dominance on nuclear missile cruiser ball bearings and indestructible guitar picks, perhaps gotoh 510 tuner buttons.

[Tim McKnight]

Congratulations on your new ornamental tree. It looks fantastic. My dad always told me that Lignum Vitae was the hardest wood on the planet. He said it was used for bearings (actually bushings) on early machines due to its hardness, durability and natural lubricity.

[pb+j]

too close to your house!

[CoolerKing]

Originally Posted by pb+j

too close to your house!

The perspective throws it off. It's actually about 36" from the house. It'll probably die anyway with my luck.

[LouieAtienza]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Congratulations on your new ornamental tree. It looks fantastic. My dad always told me that Lignum Vitae was the hardest wood on the planet. He said it was used for bearings (actually bushings) on early machines due to its hardness, durability and natural lubricity.

They were also used as bushings on ships. It`s claim to fame was probably the eatly regulation bowling balls were made of it, in the days when only two fingers were used (index or middle finger, and thumb.)

I`m not too sure of lutherie use, other than saddle or nut, or maybe endpin, bridge pin, or tuner buttons, do to its extreme hardness, and propensity to wear even carbide tools. It is also used as a sole on some import European wooden hand planes.

[srick]

I have a mallet made of lignum vitae - it's heavy and tough!

[Bruce Sexauer]

Where did you get the tree? I would like to plant a BRW tree in my garden but haven't found a source.

[geordie]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

Where did you get the tree? I would like to plant a BRW tree in my garden but haven't found a source.

well if you cant Bruce - they just cant be had, would that affect the resale value of your house Bruce ?.

Mat, we used to use LV here as Pit Props in the coal mines or what about a nice wee set o’ Northumbrian Bagpipes in Lignum vitae

[JDatlen]

I worked at a mill where the old resaw bandsaw used lignum vitae blocks for the blade guides. The blade was about 7" wide and the guides were lignum vitae dowels (shop made) about 1 1/4" diameter in the middle of a large threaded insert. We would adjust the guides to barely touch the blade. The end grain lignum vitae rubbed on the sides of the blade keeping it aligned. I had to turn a new set only once while worked there. Tough stuff!!

[justonwo]

My Baranik has lignum vitae accents. Nice little tree!

[CoolerKing]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

Where did you get the tree? I would like to plant a BRW tree in my garden but haven't found a source.

There's a nursery in between here and Marathon, and they're indigenous to the keys.

Juston, I remember that now that you mention it. Waiting on my meridian build to start in September.