Subject: Turning Ivory on a Lathe

From: [email-masked] (Laughing Larry)
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 00:34:38 GMT

Any tips re cutting tools for turning ivory ? speeds? tips?

(no flames, i am talking of scrap ivory from junk stalls )

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From: [email-masked] (Osgcar)
Date: 28 Jan 1996 09:35:36 -0500

Be very carful with turning that material. Breathing that dust is harmful
and could cause a condition called Ivory anthrax. 
I don't have any practical hint on turning however
Sorry .

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From: [email-masked] (Bob Bickers)
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 96 13:45:16 GMT

>(no flames, i am talking of scrap ivory from junk stalls )
I read somewhere that ivory can hold anthrax in it and carving will release 
same. Urbam myth or truth, don't know?.

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From: [email-masked] (Doug White)
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 96 22:28:43 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
   [email-masked] (Osgcar) wrote:
<Any tips re cutting tools for turning ivory ? speeds? tips?
<
<Be very carful with turning that material. Breathing that dust is 
harmful
<and could cause a condition called Ivory anthrax. 
<I don't have any practical hint on turning however
<Sorry .

Take very light cuts, and take it slow.  If it becomes warm to the touch, 
it can split.  I turned some a number of years ago, and that's about all 
I remember.

Doug White

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From: [email-masked] (Ronald L. Charlotte)
Date: 28 Jan 1996 22:25:40 GMT

In <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Laughing

> (no flames, i am talking of scrap ivory from junk stalls )

If you can find it at a library or used book store, you want a book 
called called _Bone, Antler, Ivory, and Horn_ by Arthur MacGregor (ISBN 
0 389 20531 1).  This book gives a very readable explaination of the 
properties of the skeletal materials using both archaic and modern 
tools.

Otherwise, treat it like a very hard, very brittle, wood.  Slow speeds, 
sharp tools, and you want to protect yourself from the dust as it's not 
healthy to breathe in large amounts.  Real Ivory is laid down in 
concentric layers, so it's easy to accidentially delaminate a piece, 
especially if it's already well dried out.

--
     Ron Charlotte -- Gainesville, FL
     [email-masked]