{"id":1202,"date":"2021-02-20T18:29:37","date_gmt":"2021-02-20T15:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=1202"},"modified":"2021-07-03T12:29:16","modified_gmt":"2021-07-03T09:29:16","slug":"jelutong-everything-you-need-to-know-about-carving-jelutong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/jelutong-everything-you-need-to-know-about-carving-jelutong\/","title":{"rendered":"Jelutong: Everything You Need to Know About Carving Jelutong."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Jelutong is a Hardwood tree that grows in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Southeast Asia. Scientifically known as Dyera costulata<\/em>, Jelutong is a specie of tree in the family Apocynaceae, <\/em>and it naturally grows in low elevation tropical green forest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It grows up to 200 feet (60 meters) tall and 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter. Jelutong is grown commercially because of its timber. In many parts, because it has been overharvested, it is now a threatened species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jelutong wood is cream to yellowish, and it turns brown with age. It has a straight grain, fine texture and natural lustre. There is no clear distinction between the heartwood and sapwood as they are of the same colour. Apart from being a source of wood, Jelutong is also known for its product latex. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you begin to carve a Jelutong wood, you should know some of its basic properties. This article discusses all the details you need to know about Jelutong wood, so keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Jelutong Easy to Carve?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although Jelutong is classified as a hardwood, it does not necessarily mean that it is hard and difficult to carve. It is called hardwood because the wood is gotten from a dicotyledonous tree. Other examples of hardwoods from dicot trees are; Oak, Mahogany, Balsa, Maple, etc. Because Jelutong grows faster, its timber is soft compared to other hardwood trees, with Balsa as an exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of its low density, Jelutong wood is easy to carve and cut. Any tools, including hand tools like knife, gouge, chisel, can be used on the wood. Power carving tools also work well on the wood. Jelutong wood is easy to peel and slice, although it sometimes has a slight blunting effect on tools. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before working with Jelutong, it is advised that you keep your tools sharp to overcome the blunting effect it has on tools. When working with Jelutong, the latex from the tree can sometimes cause a gum buildup. This buildup of gum can clog the saw teeth of the tool being used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Good is Jelutong for Carving?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, trees that produce fruits or nuts (including non-edible ones) are ideal for carving. Jelutong falls under this category as it produces a resinous fruit often used for medicinal purposes. Jelutong has a consistent grain density and good dimensional stability that allows for detailed carving. The finished product of Jelutong wood looks smooth and well defined in contrast to other woods that may appear rough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jelutong wood is very versatile, and it is one of the finest woods for carving.\u00a0It is a wood that is easy to carve<\/a>, hence it is most popular for relief carving but is also often used with other styles of wood carving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from carving, Jelutong sculpts, designs architectural models, patterns, interior panelling, furniture components, drawing boards, pencils, wooden toys, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is very popular among pattern makers because it produces detailed, smooth and intricate patterns in foundry work. It has a natural lustre that gives it a very beautiful finished look. Generally, planning, turning, mortising and sanding the wood gives a good result. However, boring and shaping the wood only gives a moderate result. Jelutong wood can be easily glued, polished<\/a>, stained, varnished, nailed and screwed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Jelutong has a very low density, it is easy to carve. However, the wood is not as durable as other woods as it is susceptible to pinhole borers, powder-post beetle and termite attacks. It is also susceptible to blue stain and wood-rotting fungi. However, the wood can be treated with preservatives both by cold soaking and vacuum-pressure process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginner’s Tips for Carving Jelutong<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you carve Jelutong for the first time, you should know that a wood’s basic characteristics affect how easily it carves. For example, Oakwood is hard, and it has a grain pattern that is very distinctive and rough. These qualities make Oakwood very difficult to carve, and beginners may find carving extremely frustrating. Even after carving, the surface will still look rough and lack definition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although softwoods are generally easy to carve and more suited for beginners, hardwoods like Jelutong are good for a start because they have almost no grain, and it is homogeneous in hardness. Jelutong is soft enough to carve easily, and it is hard enough not to compress under the force of a knife or chisel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some important points to note about Jelutong wood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n