Locust ramrod?

[Gene L]

Apparently, silica inside wood is a myth.
http://woodturnersunlimited.com/index.php/wood/hardwoods/120-sand-in-wood-fact-or-fiction?showall=1

 

[Zonie]

While your link was interesting, it was primarily about dispelling the idea that there is actual "sand" in the wood.

As for silicon, the linked write-up does say,

"However, it remains to be determined whether or not other silicon -containing compounds, precipitated within the wood of certain trees, do play a role in making the wood harder. ".

Wikipedia says,

"Silicon
Silicon is not considered an essential element for plant growth and development. It is always found in abundance in the environment and hence if needed it is available. It is found in the structures of plants and improves the health of plants.[31]
In plants, silicon has been shown in experiments to strengthen cell walls, improve plant strength, health, and productivity..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_nutrition#Silicon


A paper on the Chemical Composition of Wood states,

"The principal inorganic compounds present in wood are sulphates, phosphates, chlorides, and silicates of potash, calcium, and magnesium, and frequently nitrates of these latter elements...."
http://www.booksupstairs.com/Wood-...-materials/Chemical-Composition-of-Woods.html

A paper entitled, "Which Abrasives to Use", lists calcium silicate as an abrasive.

http://www.keyabrasives.co.uk/which-abrasive-to-use/4562724426/#natural-abrasives

I'm not saying osage or locust contains calcium silicate but if it does it could help explain its abrasive qualities on saw blades and other cutting tools. :hmm:

 

[Gene L]

"At this point, and based upon what I have learned about sand chemistry and tree physiology, I am convinced that sand/quartz plays no role in the interior of trees relative to serving as an abrasive and thus dulling tools."

 

[RedFeather]

I made a walking stick out of honey locust years ago. It is very hard. I'm guessing locust wasn't used for tool handles since hickory grows much bigger, lending it to a variety of handles. Since hickory has proven itself for use as ramrods, and it is much more readily available, I would chose that over locust. And forming a rod from locust will take a lot of work.

 

[Valkyrie]

I have a near unlimited supply of black locust. Maybe I’ll try to make a ramrod.

 

[Gene L]

Keep us posted.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I'm not saying osage or locust contains calcium silicate but if it does it could help explain its abrasive qualities on saw blades and other cutting tools

Didn't mean to start a debate on this. I do know when turning OO tools dull way more rapidly than with other woods. The presence of silica in OO is legendary. I know that can mean nothing. But, it's presence can explain why when cutting it with a chain saw there often are sparks. :shocked2: And, despite what the 'expert' says, there are several plants, primarily marsh grown reeds, that are used as sandpaper by woodworkers.

 

[Bo T]

Once the rod is finished and coated, would any abrasive characteristics matter?

 

[Herb]

Equisetum, or horsetail or scouring rush was supposed to have been used for scouring pans and dishes. I can tell you that a three-wire fence will keep it out of pastures. Meaning that it was abundant in fenced road right of ways (not grazed) but the cattle ate it out of the pastures in North Dakota.

 

[Pete44ru]

FWIW, I have several Black Locust trees on my small residential suburban property, that I've had occasion to "work" on. :cursing:

On the trees that I've worked, I found the grain to be twisty (but not as twisty as Mesquite) and hard on cutting tools, most likely due to it's propensity to absorb soil and minerals into the wood as it grew from a seedling.

For me, since it weathers beautifully, it makes good fencing, and (evidently) timber fastener pegs.

 

[BillinOregon]

Herb, I have used horsetail as a superfine finish sandpaper. It is very useful stuff, giving a near polished finish. From Wiki:
"Other names include candock for branching individuals, and snake grass or scouring-rush for unbranched or sparsely branched individuals. The latter name refers to the rush-like appearance of the plants, and to the fact that the stems are coated with abrasive silicates, making them useful for scouring (cleaning) metal items such as cooking pots or drinking mugs, particularly those made of tin. ... Horsetail was often used by Indians to polish wooden tools."
Horsetail might be useful for putting a final polish on that locust ramrod!

 

[jjackson]

Here in Oklahoma it’s a often requested fire wood .

 

[MN284]

Musicians use horsetail - "Dutch rush" to fine-tune their clarinet, oboe and bassoon reeds.

Tom

 

[azmntman]

Here in Oklahoma it’s a often requested fire wood .

How many ramrods in a cord :rotf: