Does anyone have any history in turning these? I am looking for a wood with a redish tint to it like Redheart for some handle/reel seat combos. I did a search and only came up with one hit so any advise would be great. Thanks

I haven't turned redheart, but I have turned a bit of rosewood - no major issues.

Have you considered Mahogany or Sapele? they are a little softer, and do not splinter as much

I've turned bloodwood and rosewood and have never had any problems. The only wood that I have encountered serious problems with is Wenge. It was terrible but beautiful.

Most Rosewoods are quite dark actually. Redheart and Vermillion are 2 that are brighter and more red in color.

..............

You might consider African Padouk:

[www.anexotichardwood.com]

Nice coloring and turns nicely. Relatively hard, slightly oily, but takes a nice finish.


Walt

Walt Natzke
Ripon, CA

I have turned many handles out of Cocobolo it's hard and heavy and it can have a redish tint depending on the cut.
A word of caution on some of the exotics: The dust from many of these produce an allergic skin reaction very much like poison oak , breathing it is even worse.

I have turned many handles out of Cocobolo it's hard and heavy and it can have a redish tint depending on the cut.
A word of caution on some of the exotics: The dust from many of these produce an allergic skin reaction very much like poison oak , breathing it is even worse.

Keep in mind also that the rosewoods, cocobolo, etc are oily woods and do NOT accept any oil based finish (they won't absorb it or dry) There are things such as alcohol soaks that will alleviate that

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Part of the problem with padauk, cocobolo and the other rosewoods is that they get darker over time. All woods change color as they age, but these change color fairly fast, getting darker and darker and darker quite quickly. It's no big deal if you understand it at the beginning of the project and adjust accordingly.

If I were you, I might consider a reddish piece of bubinga also, along with Tom's suggestions of redheart and vermilion. Bubinga can be golden OR reddish, so you'll have to have a wood dealer that will be willing to find some of the redder stuff for you.

In my experience, the reddest woods I've turned are paduak, redheart, and bloodwood. They've all become progressively more brown over time, but the one that seemed to stay the reddest is bloodwood.

I've done several fly reel seats in pink ivory. it's a light red but by the time you add a finish it darkens only slightly and stays more red than other woods.

Thanks for all the responce. I have picked up a few different types and will turn a few with some different finishes and see what tht out come is. I will post some photos when done.
Thanks again