Wood Question

[rfreeouf]

What type of wood would be safe to make a set of chopsticks and a couple of small square plates out of? what finish would safe to use if people are going to be eating off of then?

 

[mrcook4570]

Maple or box elder should work well.

 

[tipusnr]

There is a salad bowl finish just made for serving plates and such. I forget the brand name but both Rockler's and Woodcraft handle it.

 

[alamocdc]

I would think that woods like Pecan and any of the fruit trees would be okay as well.

 

[jeffj13]

I think maple would work well.

As far as finishes, I believe that all finishes are food safe after they have fully cured. That being said, I would probably use the same finish I use for cutting boards, which is mineral oil.

jeff

 

[darbytee]

Tip, the salad bowl finish WC sells is a General Finishes product. I use their green and red cans on some of my projects. They make good stuff.

 

[Ron in Drums PA]

Any close grain wood will work.

 

[penhead]

I use this sometimes http://www.hollandbowlmill.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=2

 

[dubdrvrkev]

I use Mahoney's utility finish (walnut oil) on all my bowls, plates, and platters that are meant to be used or any childrens toys. I used to use the General finishes salad bowl finish but that stuff is pretty nasty. After seeing what it does to the rags used to apply it and looking at the ingredients I stopped using it.

 

[rfreeouf]

Everyone thanks for the advice! It is much appreciated!!!

 

[BigRob777]

I don't mean to contradict Stan, but the box elder I've got seems way too soft for chop sticks. I used padauk, but that's slightly toxic to some, so I can't do anything with them. I want to use bloodwood next. Hard maple would be good too. I don't know if curly maple would hold up, but it would be gorgeous.
Rob

 

[alamocdc]

Originally posted by penhead
<br />I use this sometimes http://www.hollandbowlmill.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=2

I recently met a turner that used this and he gave me a label so I could order some. I haven't used it yet, but I was very impressed with the finsh he got from it. Very utilitarian.

 

[whatwoodido]

I would recommend staying away from the following woods which are none allergens, Walnut, Chechen (aka Poisonwood), Canarywood, all spalted woods, cocobolo (actually most rosewoods). Particularly good choices would be Olive, Maple (figured is hot), Poplar, White Oak, Ash, and Elm. These are pretty hypo-allergenic.

Almost all finishes are food safe once they fully cure, Bob Flexner's book on finishes is a great source of information of finishes.

 

[Skye]

Originally posted by whatwoodido
<br />I would recommend staying away from the following woods which are <b>known</b> allergens....

Fixed for confusion.