Need some help finiding wood

[Texatdurango]

I have a customer overseas who wants to send me some wood to make a few pens from.

Has anyone heard of or worked with either "Huang Hua Li" or
"Zitan" wood?

I've never heard of either and have no idea of the turning characteristics.

 

[cigarman]

Check this site out it might help http://www.wctg.net/zitan.html

 

[turned_for_good]

A little info on them.
http://www.qinggallery.com/woods.html
Sounds like a pretty costly endevour if somthing got messed up.

 

[Texatdurango]

The plot thickens! In a follow up email it appears that he wants to send small wood pieces from items that have been in his family for a long time and have a lot of sentimental value to him.

I'm getting nervous just thinking about the prospect. This might put me to the test and I'll find out if I am a pen maker or a pen hacker!

 

[thewishman]

That sounds like it could be a nerve-racking project. Hope you charge extra for the time you'll spend worrying.

Good luck!

Chris

 

[bitshird]

From the description of the Huang Hua Li it almost sounds like yellow heart maybe??
the Zitan sounds like it might be a bear to work specially for a hacker like me, Hope you get the thrill and not the chill, but after seeing some of your work, I wouldn't be too worried Heh Heh

 

[wdcav1952]

Did you mean Huanghuali? It is also known as Yellow Flowering Pear. Both it and zitan are rare and expensive.

 

[Texatdurango]

Originally posted by wdcav1952

Did you mean Huanghuali? It is also known as Yellow Flowering Pear. Both it and zitan are rare and expensive.

Could be the same, I just cut and pasted his name "Huang Hua Li". Being asian he may pronounce the name differently. It's a good thing he's supplying the wood then!

 

[DCBluesman]

Huanghuali (huang hua li, huang huali)

Zitan

These are some of the most expensive woods in the world but not particularly difficult to turn or finish.

 

[fiferb]

I'd request they provide more wood than necessary just in case there is an unexpected problem. You can always return the extra if you don't need it and they want it back.

 

[Texatdurango]

Originally posted by fiferb

I'd request they provide more wood than necessary just in case there is an unexpected problem. You can always return the extra if you don't need it and they want it back.

Thanks, we discussed that this morning.