Wooden Bracelet...Best wood?

[kazokazo50]

Hello,
I just have a quick question. I'm about to make a wooden bracelet and I need to know what the best type of wood would be for it. I need something strong and durable. The bracelet will be fairly thin. I have posted photos of what the outcome of the braclet will most likely look like. Please, can someone give me some advice. I was thinking Basswood...or if that just to weak? Thanks.
Kazo

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I think you should consider some of the harder woods for something like that....not sure what, some can cause an allergic reaction against the skin...maybe a google search, or better yet, the topic of toxic woods has come up here a number of times.....sorry, can't think of a recommendation I would make off the top of my head. I made a ring out of purpleheart one time...don't wear it, just a spur of the moment thing....if has kept its purple color but probably wouldn't wearing it?

[AlArchie]

If you plan on carving the chain portion, I doubt if there is any wood that is not apt to break early on when wearing. If it's just the medalion portion, Dave is right a hardwood would be best. Hard Maple would be my suggestion as it is not a highly allegenic wood. Oak and Ash are strong but do have some allergenic properties, if left unfinished. Cherry burl would make an exceptional piece, as would some of that Mexican Ironwood, if you can find it.

Basswood would probably be a bit to weak, but you might try aspen.....similar to basswood in appearance but a mite stronger. It takes finish and stain well, has some nice grain and if you look around might even find some with a natural gold or green color to it.

If you do decide to go with basswwod or one of the other softer woods, you might consider treating it with a wood hardener after you complete the carving and staining, and before applying your final finish.

Minwax makes a hardner, as does Cabot and a few other wood finish manufacturers.

Al

[kazokazo50]

Originally Posted by AlArchie

If you plan on carving the chain portion, I doubt if there is any wood that is not apt to break early on when wearing. If it's just the medalion portion, Dave is right a hardwood would be best. Hard Maple would be my suggestion as it is not a highly allegenic wood. Oak and Ash are strong but do have some allergenic properties, if left unfinished. Cherry burl would make an exceptional piece, as would some of that Mexican Ironwood, if you can find it.

Basswood would probably be a bit to weak, but you might try aspen.....similar to basswood in appearance but a mite stronger. It takes finish and stain well, has some nice grain and if you look around might even find some with a natural gold or green color to it.

If you do decide to go with basswwod or one of the other softer woods, you might consider treating it with a wood hardener after you complete the carving and staining, and before applying your final finish.

Minwax makes a hardner, as does Cabot and a few other wood finish manufacturers.

Al

WOW! Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it! I'll look around for some of those. Thank you both, AlArchie and Hi_Ho_Sliver.
Kazo

[arapsang]

Wooden bracelets

Have you ever thought of laminating 3 or 4 strips of veneer together round a wrist sized former. That way you can build in strength by allowing the grain on the middle bit to go around the wrist; chose a non-allergenic wood for the inside and pick the wildest grain you can find for the outside.

arapsang

[VAwoodcarver]

I dont know if you might have any mountains nearby but in Va we have a very strong woody shrub called mountain laurel very easy to spot its everywhere

[bill#1]

we have that here in Pennsylvania..its our state flower..illegal to pick..proceed with caution..
bill

[VAwoodcarver]

haha i dont know if its ilegal in Va but ive cut some for walking sticks extremely sturdy but not to difficult to carve id give it a try. Either that or if you can find some eastern hophornbeam/Ironwood, some hickory which is difficult to carve, or some osage orange which would work very well very flexible the indians used to use it for making bows.. good luck finding something that works..

[tcb16]

A completely carved wooden bracelet is something I'd love to see. Please post a pic or two, it sounds awesome.