Pau Ferro Turning Blanks

Pau Ferro is an excellent, affordable substitute for true rosewood, and is often called “Bolivian Rosewood” for that reason. It is virtually indistinguishable from the true botanical rosewoods, with striking color variations ranging from dark chocolate to golden brown, and black bands with hints of violet. Despite its density, it is easily worked and takes an excellent natural polish. These turning blanks are available in an assortment of sizes for bowls, platters, carvings, bottle stoppers, chess pieces, tool handles, table legs, spindles, finials, candlesticks and whatever else your imagination can conjure up!

Due to high demand and limited supply, we cannot always guarantee that this item will be in stock. Turning Blanks come rough sawn to nominal thickness and are coated with wax. Other Names: Bolivian Rosewood, Morado. Native To: Bolivia and Brazil. Botanical Name: Machaerium scleroxylon Color: Varies from chocolate brown to violet with black streaks, often streaked with tan. Grain: Straight, sometimes wavy. Texture: Fine to coarse. The wood is oily to the touch. Odor: Similar to Walnut. Allergies: Machinery dust may cause severe skin irritation in susceptible people. Proper protective equipment is advised. Common Uses: Anywhere the look of Rosewood is desired. Turning, furniture, cabinetry, joinery, luthiery, tool and knife handles. Polish: Takes an excellent polish. Working Characteristics: Despite its density, Pau Ferro is easily worked with machine and hand tools, and has been compared to Walnut. Requires pre-boring for nails/screws. Use strong adhesives and extra care when gluing. Some oil-based finishes may not dry properly on Pau Ferro. It steam bends well, and is often used for making instruments such as guitars. Strength: The wood is very dense and strong, about 38% harder than Red Oak. In Brazilian Portuguese, "pau" is the word for wood and "ferro" is the word for iron.

Customer Reviews and Photos for: Pau Ferro Turning Blanks Average Rating: (5.0) (1 customer review) Add your review...

1) Submitted by Larry Clinton, from Loganville, GEORGIA on 10/19/2009 Customer Rating: I've worked with Pau Ferro (aka Morado, Bolivian Rosewood) a number of times always with excellent results. It has very nice grain lines and works and polishes easily. I highly recommend it. Ice Cream Scoop with Pau Ferro handle (click to see full-size picture in new window)