I've only been turning a little over 2 years, mostly glue-ups using poplar, or kiln dried blanks I've purchased from online distributors (mostly maple and/or ash). A friend of mine gave me a 8x3 square blank of Bloodwood, asking me if I could do something with it. I'm thinking a bowl.
But this wood is so much heavier, and much more dense than any other wood I've cut thus far. Or I assume it is just because of how heavy it is compared to other blanks I've cut. My questions are, since the wood is so damned heavy should I use a bigger tenon/mortise than I usually do? (I actually prefer a mortise, just a personal preference but if a tenon would be better for something this heavy, I'm fine with that). I have the EasyChuck with 2 set of jaws, not counting the BigEasy jaws for reverse chucking.
My smallest set of jaws optimal tenon size is 1.38", with 2" for a mortise, or the next set of jaws the optimal tenon size is 2.38" or 3" for the mortise. Which would you choose?
And any other tips for shaping Bloodwood? I know, sharp tools will be essential, got that covered already
But this wood is so much heavier, and much more dense than any other wood I've cut thus far. Or I assume it is just because of how heavy it is compared to other blanks I've cut. My questions are, since the wood is so damned heavy should I use a bigger tenon/mortise than I usually do? (I actually prefer a mortise, just a personal preference but if a tenon would be better for something this heavy, I'm fine with that). I have the EasyChuck with 2 set of jaws, not counting the BigEasy jaws for reverse chucking.
My smallest set of jaws optimal tenon size is 1.38", with 2" for a mortise, or the next set of jaws the optimal tenon size is 2.38" or 3" for the mortise. Which would you choose?
And any other tips for shaping Bloodwood? I know, sharp tools will be essential, got that covered already