January 28, 201214 yr Although some woods look great in larger pieces, their grain pattern is too big to look good on smaller pieces, such as knobs. Snakewood should work really well, if you can find a piece large enough. Another wood with a beautiful small grain pattern is Bocote. It also happens to turn very well... Edited January 28, 201214 yr by swt61
January 28, 201214 yr Long ago I used to smoke in pipe. I've always loved the eye pattern of briar wood. I think it could look great for knobs, plus it's hard and very resistant.
January 29, 201214 yr Author Finding the snakewood turning out to be very hard. I need at minimum a 2 inch cube. But 2 x 2 x 5 or better desired. If anyone finds anything interesting of an appropriate size, please email me the link to purchase. Air dried and no cracks... Also trying to find some merchaum and not having any luck there. I have found nice pieces of zebra wood and bocote...
January 29, 201214 yr Don't know how you feel about ebay but you can find stuff like this for snakewood: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAKEWOOD-12x2-75x2-75-Lumber-Pool-Cues-Knife-Grips-Peppermills-SHIPPED-FREE-/370579325021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56483fc05d
January 29, 201214 yr http://gilmore.chem.northwestern.edu/ebony9.jpg The "Knob of Voltron" is done and ready to ship. (the ebony one) I kind of like the rosewod one for now. Trying to find a decent size piece of snakewood. My knob is awesome! That was fun to say. I felt like Tice for a second. But seriously, Kevin, that is gorgeous.
January 29, 201214 yr Author I put in a bid on ebay, i'm sure i'll be overbid soon. I really hate ebay for this kind of stuff. I'll contact the other place on monday.
January 29, 201214 yr Or contact the guy on eBay. He's got more and he'd probably just sell you a piece if the price is right.
January 29, 201214 yr This guy http://www.hobbithou...s/snakewood.htm seems to have a large load of snakewood. I've never come across the wood before, but I can see why it is highly thought of looking at the photos. Scratch that - he just hosts pics of other peoples wood!!!! Edited January 29, 201214 yr by Craig Sawyers
February 1, 201214 yr Some of these burls might make cool knobs or panels http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/hardwoods/exotic_hardwoods/exotic_wood/australian_goldfield_burl_lumber/australian_goldfield_burl_wood.html
February 5, 201214 yr Tiger's eye? http://www.ebay.com/...e#ht_1700wt_879 Hone your lapidary skills and make a knob from this..... Edited February 5, 201214 yr by Milosz
February 5, 201214 yr Purdy rock, but the shit's poison to work with. Words like crocidolite and chrysotile come to mind. Dont forget your HEPA facemask and flow plenty of water to keep the dust down. Edited February 5, 201214 yr by livewire
February 5, 201214 yr Author water and hardige lathes is a really bad combination. i've seen the result and don't want to be blamed for this. Now lots and lots of oil, that would be possible. If i do it completely NC, then that lathe is stainless and designed to take that off white stinking mess that is mostly water. (the rest of it is bacteria)
February 5, 201214 yr water and hardige lathes is a really bad combination. i've seen the result and don't want to be blamed for this. Now lots and lots of oil, that would be possible. If i do it completely NC, then that lathe is stainless and designed to take that off white stinking mess that is mostly water. (the rest of it is bacteria) Yeah, I was referring to saw cutting and grinding of gemstones. Actually soapy water is what is used. An emulsifier is required because asbestos isn't "water soluble". The additive binds with it to carry it off and contain it. I suppose that cutting fluid would be preferable in a CNC environment. And yes, I used to work as a machinist and have stood many hours in front of a lathe or mill and had to endure stinky cutting fluid. Once that stuff gets on your skin, "it stays with you". Yuck!
February 6, 201214 yr Yeah, I was referring to saw cutting and grinding of gemstones. Actually soapy water is what is used. An emulsifier is required because asbestos isn't "water soluble". The additive binds with it to carry it off and contain it. I suppose that cutting fluid would be preferable in a CNC environment. And yes, I used to work as a machinist and have stood many hours in front of a lathe or mill and had to endure stinky cutting fluid. Once that stuff gets on your skin, "it stays with you". Yuck! Could you cut that stone on a CNC mill? Wouldn't even a silicon carbide cutter get dull about immediately? I guess diamond tools could be used, at low speed. Yeah, tigers eye, the fibers inside are asbestos.... don't want that flying around. Actually even ordinary silica-type rock dust is bad. But... I wonder if someone with lapidary skills and gear could turn this 2.5 inch lump of rock into a short, wide cylinder- i.e., a KNOB. Maybe with a domed top, sort of quasi- cabochon...? Or maybe a flat "bar" type knob...
February 6, 201214 yr Another stressful day in the smartphone wars was lightened a bit when The Knob of Voltron arrived. Here it is in all of its glory. I've found that rubbing the knob relieves some stress, so it will be difficult to let it go and mount it to the T2. Thanks for the beautiful work, Kevin. The KOV will be another highlight on the already amazing T2.
February 6, 201214 yr I also find that rubbing the knob relieves stress. I bet I could relieve even more if I could get someone else to...but I digress. That really is a beautiful piece of work, and will make a fantastic addition to a fantastic amp! Hmmm, Gabon Ebony side pieces for the T-2?
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