So I'll start by saying I am not a woodworker. My brother recently has gotten into it, primarily small jewelry boxes, a shelf or two, chessboards, etc., and I was thinking of a gift idea for him. He has pretty stocked shop in his basement but it's mostly maple and cherry.
Wondering if you all have some suggestions for some more decorative, colorful, ornamental (whatever the term is) woods that could be for inlays, small details, etc. If so, what are some interesting types and the typical size pieces for that kind of stuff? Like I said he typically makes things on the smaller side so I can't imagine it would need to be too big but what do i know. Any insight would be much appreciated.
Also, feel free to hijack this topic to just post projects you're working on, or pictures of finished projects because I know some of you on here must be making things and I'm all for Hokies sharing their talents with other Hokies
Comments
Fresh cut heartwood of boxelder; he would love that.
Quilted sapele, lacewood, Purple Heart, Chechen, bubinga, and others are nice accents.
Domestic and more available would be quartersawn oak and hickory. The darker sections of hickory produce some nice streaking.
Quartersawn oak is my favorite wood.
For accents-
Ebony (black)
Tulip (white)
Purpleheart (purple)
Mahogany (dark brown)
A quick search on Amazon shows some exotic wood packages from $25-100 in various sizes.
Woodcraft dot com.
They have a store in Roanoke by the airport and can order all kinds of exotic woods and tools for woodworking small or large. They have frequent sales of blanks for wood turned pens, etc.
Gotta admit, when I saw the title of this thread, I thought it might be about something stupid that LOLUVA did.
Wood things together wood the same?
Kamp Studio
Might check out this guy's work for inspiration. He and I went to high school together and he makes some incredible pieces using a variety of woods.
Forgot to share a link to his podcast site. He does interviews with other woodworkers on each episode.
Podcast
Dude has some interesting items for sale on this site. Not sure how the following works into the woodworking stuff he does though....
Yeah he has always been kind of odd. Think this was an anti war statement but still makes a heck of a conversation piece.
I've never gotten too far into it, but love the craftsmanship of wood working - definitely check out Rob Cosman's work if you haven't. Hes the master of joints, IMO.
As far as accent woods, I love the look of Purpleheart, Mahogany, Zebrawood, and burl or flamed Maple.
Check out Jimmy Diresta on YouTube. He's tons of fun to watch.
I've seen some great stuff on YouTube, but for me, nothing beats watching and listening to Roy Underhill on PBS.
Although, I will take this moment to plug Charles Shwartz on Lost Art Press
He's currently doing a woodworker's gift guide on his Blog (what I linked) and you can find 2022's gift guide as well. Also, any of his books are great reads and made with superior materials/skill than anything you'll find at Barnes & Noble.