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Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

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Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby selectortone » 09 Apr 2017, 17:05

Picked up a couple of these a few months ago on a trip to Yandles. I've never tried one before, but they are quite nice to turn, only took a couple of hours from start to finish. It's finished with polishing mops on the lathe - triple-E, then diamond white and then carnauba wax then a plain buffing mop. A little Easter pressie for my daughter when I see her next weekend. Quite looking forward to doing the other one now!

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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby DaveL » 09 Apr 2017, 17:47

That looks good, I have one somewhere that I was given. I have never been brave enough to spin it up on the lathe, the chap who gave it to me recommended a suit of armour as PPE when turning it due to the seeds being thrown out as it is cut.
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby Woodster » 09 Apr 2017, 19:44

Nice job Terry. I've got a couple of those somewhere I've yet to turn.
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby Andyp » 10 Apr 2017, 07:58

Nice. Are they partially hollow when you buy them?
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby Phil » 10 Apr 2017, 08:52

Looks very good Terry.

How hard are they, similar to what wood?
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby Woodster » 10 Apr 2017, 09:33

The last time I turned one it was very powdery, not much like wood at all. It also has fluffy bits in it.
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby selectortone » 10 Apr 2017, 10:41

Thanks all!

Andyp wrote:Nice. Are they partially hollow when you buy them?


Hi Andy: no, they are solid. The core is firm enough to hog out slowly and gently with a Forstner bit.

Phil wrote:Looks very good Terry. How hard are they, similar to what wood?


Hi Phil: the "wood" is very dry but turns easily enough, and as Woodster says, there's a layer of furry fuzz under the surface. I didn't have many of the seeds fly out and had to dig most of them out with an awl. They sand really smooth and you can get a very nice professional looking finish with wax.

I'd recommend having a go, it was fun. There is quite a lot of dust. I have a good extractor but I did resort to a face mask.
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby Dalboy » 10 Apr 2017, 11:03

Well done on turning the nut. You seemed to have got a nice finish on it.

I have turned them but not keen on turning them as you say they can be very fluffy and dusty to turn and I definitily wear some kind of face mask and eye protection.
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby selectortone » 10 Apr 2017, 12:33

Thanks Dalboy - I always wear eye protection, not least because flying sanding sealer b*ggers me glasses up! :D
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Re: Going (Banksia) Nuts in Dorset

Postby Dalboy » 10 Apr 2017, 13:16

selectortone wrote:Thanks Dalboy - I always wear eye protection, not least because flying sanding sealer b*ggers me glasses up! :D


Had that happen as well and you just can't get the stuff off either :lol: :lol: :lol:
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