The original “Lignum vitae” (Guaiacum) is Latin for “wood of life”, and derives from its medicinal resin used to treat a variety of medical conditions from coughs to arthritis, and chips of the wood can also be used to brew a tea. Lignum vitae is one of the numerous durable, hard, and dense woods referred to as ironwood. On the Janka Scale of Hardness, which measures hardness of woods, lignum vitae ranks highest of the trade woods, registering at 4500 lbf.
Argentine lignum vitae is closest to Bulnesia arborea and Bulnesia sarmientoi in the samesubfamily as Guaiacum and is compared to Verawood. Being somewhat similar in appearance with a fine yet oily grain, and color varying from a light brown to a very dark brownish green, it’s working qualities are as genuine lignum vitae. Dense and hard, Argentine lignum vitae is great for lathe turning.
In this article we are taking some time in the wood shop to show you a couple of projects with this Argentine lignum vitae. First we explain making your own chopsticks, followed by turning two bench dogs.
For the chopsticks project we used the following tools:
Lignum Vitae Wood, Item #838064
Rikon 14″ Deluxe Bandsaw, Item #834771
WoodRiver Low Angle Block Plane, Item #151125
WoodRiver Spokeshave, Item #150740
DeWalt 12V Cordless Drill, Item #848050
Norton Soft Touch Flexible Sanding Pads, Item #152852
(on-line soon)
Acetone, Item #85051 or
Mineral Spirits, Item #85H04
Watco Lacquer Gloss Spray Finish, Item #146946 or
General Finishes Salad Bowl Finish, Item #125374
Pinnacle Workbench, Item #150811
For the bench dogs project we used the following tools:
Carpenter Pencil, Item #141209
Lignum Vitae Wood, Item #838066
Nova DVR XP Lathe, Item #146719
Nova Live Center System, Item #148539
WoodRiver Deluxe 4 Spur Drive Center with Spring Loaded Center Point 1″ Diameter #2MT, Item #149170
WoodRiver 3/4″ Roughing Gouge, Item #146225
WoodRiver 1″ Oval Skew Chisel, Item #145907
WoodRiver 3/16″ Diamond Parting Tool, Item #145909
Easywood Ci3 Mini Finisher, Item #845746
Groz Calipers, Item #141595 or 3/4″ Wrench or Dual Display Calipers, Item #147829