storebought dowels

#1 06-03-2003, 11:32 PM

What kind of wood are the hardwood dowels that are commonly sold in department stores?

#2 06-04-2003, 08:05 AM

Depends on where they are from. The most common by far are from Malaysia and made from a wood called ramin (could be other names for it also).

#3 06-04-2003, 11:01 AM

bummer! I thought ramin was a noodle or a bunch of noodles. I think that a good chunk of twisted sycamore would make excellant dowels. Sorry.... had to cmment .. great name!
art olver

#4 06-04-2003, 11:35 AM

I just bought a dowel for making my carver table. Home depot has White Pine. I am sure it really depends on where you go.

Brad

Captain_Bandaid · #5 06-04-2003, 04:31 PM

I bought some 'hardwood' dowel rod to use as handles for handforge gouges and it must be that Malaysian stuff. It almost looks like oak but does not stain well. I think I would finish this stuff with oil only, Ramin is a good name for it though. It does look like a giant dried noodle.

#6 06-04-2003, 07:35 PM

Wow - I must have been brain dead to miss that one ... after all ramen is one of my favorite foods; get it good and hot and break an egg into it, nirvanna. I can remember paying 17 Yen a bag for it when you got 360 Yen to a dollar. Ain't gonna say how long ago that was.

#7 06-04-2003, 09:28 PM

Won't do any good to hide there Ed, I was there too and remember the 360 to a dollar!! LOL good time huh!

#8 06-05-2003, 07:49 AM

Hi-Ho - Now I'm REALLY gonna be quiet!

icarve2003 · #9 06-05-2003, 08:24 AM

Hey Brad,

A bit off topic, but what kind of carving table are you making?

I just built a garage/workshop and I'd like to build some sort of carving table to go in there. I'm looking for ideas.

Could you post a picture of it?

Thanks.
Chris

#10 06-05-2003, 07:31 PM

Hello! Chris,
How's the hand doing. Hope Good.
I just cleaned the garage a couple of Saturdays ago. Took me eight hours. What Fun. :P

I am actually making two types. One portable, which I found the idea for on a site by Graham A. Scholes, for the regular workbench I have. The good thing is you can use it anywhere. Would have never thought of it myself.
Here's the link:

http://www.woodblock.info/bootcamp/hori-dai.html

The other bench is not portable and I got the

from the Woodcraft supply site. I just looked at the benches they had for sale. They list the dimensions and have a picture of the tops. The picture is small, but it gets the idea across. I am sure I can make it from this info.

Here's the link:

http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/...7A295667B0108C

I am still looking at the different designs of benches. I will let you know if I find anything of good interest.

Carving!

Brad