Anyone tried to carve in Ipe (ironwood)?

[dholzric]

Has anyone tried carving anything in Ironwood? I know its a real pain to work with normally (drilling, cutting, etc). I know my dad was cussing the whole time he built my deck out of it.

[hess]

Has anyone tried carving anything in Ironwood? I know its a real pain to work with normally (drilling, cutting, etc). I know my dad was cussing the whole time he built my deck out of it.

I turn it on a lathe it is hard but with sharp tools does fine

[SteveEJ]

I have not but it sure is HEAVY! If you do I would suggest making sure your outfeeds are adjusted correctly and additional support of it is a long piece.

[sk8nmike]

I've made several items from it. Carve great, lots of fine dust though.

[pkunk]

Ipe carves very good. I have lots of scraps left over from a deck job & have made numerious signs with it. Un oiled, it has a outdoor lifesoan of 50 years.