What should I use?

[vcohen]

Hi All,

I have just obtained 3 beautiful slabs. Camphor Laurel, Silky Oak and Bloodwood (presumably Eucalytus Gummifera).

Having promised SWMBO a butcher's block from a combination of Pine frame and either the Silky Oak or the Bloodwood for the top. I am now undecided as to which I should use for the block.

Maybe some would care to comment on the best choice.

I have read that Silky Oak although listed as an hardwood, is open-grained, hence my hesitation to jump in and use it without comment from this forum.

Or would the Bloodwood be preferable?

Thanks all

[ozwinner]

Hi
I think you'll find that some people are allergic to Silky Oak.
And yes it is very open grained, Id be inclined to go with Bloodwood, but dont know of its properties.
Cheers, Allan

[vcohen]

Thanks Allan,

That kind of confirms my gut feeling on the Silky Oak.

Maybe someone else could help me with the properties of Bloodwood. Particularly in relation to using it as a butcher's block.

(excuse my spelling error in the previous post, it should have been 'Eucalyptus Gummifera')

Thanks
Vince

[Tasman]

Hi i am from Tassie and blackwood here is not recomended for food production as it has a toxic efect and even not allowed in schools for craft work so i would be careful.Here the recomended timber os Silver Wattle it is hard and non toxic it is plyable and shatter proof so hope this helps ...............

Tasman

[vcohen]

Thanks Tasman,

Is Blackwood related to Bloodwood?

does anyone out there know if Bloodwood is in any way toxic. Or where I might be able to find out.

I have now milled it down some and stickered it under cover. It looks beautiful on the sawn edges. Can't wait to do something with it.

Cheers all
Vince

[Tasman]

You can do a search for bloodwood and find out all about it........

Corymbia gummifera

Red Bloodwood, Bloodwood
(Previously known as Eucalyptus corymbosa)

Description: This species is native to New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The species has smaller growth on poor soils but often does better on richer loams. The bark is rough over the trunk and larger branches, gray-brown in color and a red, gum-like substance can often be found on the surface. The cream to white flowers are borne in profusion in summer and autumn. Adult leaves are rather large, 23 x 7.5 cm, discolorous green and are shaped like a lance (broadly lanceolate). The gum has been used as a food source for sugar gliders.

Climate Data: Favors warm humid to sub-humid climate. Heat index, hot: 89 degrees F, cold: 17 degrees F. Rainfall 700-1800 mm (28-72 inches), altitude near seal level to 300 m.

Temperature Rating USDA Zone 8
Type Single trunk specimen 46-98' (14-30 m)
Flower Color White
Growth Rate Fast
Placement Sun
Culture Well-drained to average soils
Native New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria
Family Myrtaceae
Key Benefits
Size from 46-98'
Fast growing
Reported as food source for sugar gliders
Problem Solving Features
Excellent shade tree
Low maintenance
Does well in most soils
No fertilizer needed

Hope this gives you something usefull.........Tasman

[vcohen]

Thanks heaps Tasman,

Now all I need to find out is if it's toxic

Vince

[JackoH]

Me twin bruvver!:mad:

[ozwinner]

Ohhh Dudes.

[Suresh]

This is from Auswood.com.au A great source of information on australian species.

the
Common names Bloodwood, Red
Latin name Eucalyptus gummifera
kg/m3 900
Hard (Janka) (kN) 8.8

Rupture (MPa) 115
Elasticity (GPa) 15
Crush strength (MPa) 70
Impact (Izod value) (J) 11


A dark red timber with a high predominance of gum rings due to bush fires. The gum veins make a very attractive pattern and used in natural feature paneling or furniture it is very decorative. Not available in large commercial quantities. Until the demand for natural feature furniture timbers increases this timber will be relegated to structural uses.

Suresh

[vcohen]

Thanks Suresh,

It certainly looks hard enough for a butchers block. Now if I could just find out if it's toxic............................(hint).

Any idea where I might find out? After all I don't wany to poison SWMBO do I?.......Well do I?..........Hmmmm, I wonder... he thinks to himself!!!!

Cheers

[Alex]

Dear friend

As I have some experience with silky oak I wouldn't go that way as it is preety soft for that kind of use (butcher's block). Try to find something harder

[soundman]

If a timber (maybee your bloodwood) leaches stain when weted I would not use it for any type of food work.

Id be inclined to save it for something special.

some kd hardwood would be a reasonable choice may be.

[glenn k]

I don't believe any of the Eucalyps (or used to be Eucs as in Bloodwoods) are terribly toxic. There is a story that sugar gums are toxic Euc. cladocaylx but this is . Someone cut some trees down and hungry stock gorged themselfs and died lucern would have killed them faster with bloat.
Blackwood is a wattle
Grevellea robusta (silky oak) effects many people badly rashes under arm and in groin. Saw dust in eyes can cause severe swelling. People I know are alergic now and for years they were ok so don't breath it and wash off skin when finished working
I would eat off bloodwood
glenn B.Ap.Sc. (Chem) Grad Dip (Hort) Just to show I'm not a total dickhead

[gatiep]

Rabbits can eat the Belladonna plant, ( Deadly Night Shade) yet it is poisonous to other animals and humans.

Cya

Have fun.................keep turnin