Another Stabilization Request

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crokett

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
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610
Location
Mebane, North Carolina
I have some black palm. I got it not knowing any better. I have tried 3 pens with this and each one has blown out, despite lots of CA, etc. I would like to get the 5 pen blanks I have left stabilized. Is this possible? If so is anyone willing to do this, and how much would it cost? The blanks are 3/4"x3/4" by about 5". I would pay shipping both ways.
 
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I've turned a lot of palm blanks before without the need of stabilizing them, you need to have sharp tools, don't put too much pressure on it and just before getting to the bushing size, start using sand paper because at this point if you get splints you'll have noticeable marks
 
I know what I am supposed to do to turn black palm, just can't seem to do it. I may give it one more go with a larger kit like a Mesa. I turn with a shop-built carbide tool so the tool is as sharp as it can be. It is pretty wood, just a bear to turn.
 
Black palm is probably the toughest thing I've ever turned. I started out using my carbide tools which I thought were super sharp and they are pretty sharp, but I kept chipping the palm. I finally put a super keen edge on my rounded skew and what a world of difference. A super sharp skew is all I use on palm now and it comes out great with lots of patience.

I hadn't thought about using sandpaper for that last little bit to the bushings, but that is a great idea, one I'm going to use on the next palm that I turn.

mtgrizzly52
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I saw that Woodturningz sells a stabilized black palm blank. I had another failure last night after being as careful as I could be. I bought one from Woodturningz and if it works will look at getting the others I have stabilized.
 
I stabilized some black palm for bangle blanks and this stuff is really tough to turn, even stabilized. Light cuts and sharp tools are a must. I coated the areas to be turned with thin CA and then applied accelerator to help limit the tear out. This is a slow process as it needs to be repeated often as you work your way down. I thought resin cast banksia was tough to work with until I ran into black palm! Best of luck.
 
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