Thread: Timber selection for coffee table

You might consider European Beech. Easy to obtain & work and hard enough.
mick

I think either a light colour or a very dark colour. Silver ash, as you say, or maybe some very dark blackwood.

Maybe some of the lighter, honey coloured Tassie Blackwood? There's not so much strong grain to mask the pattern of the box, but enough to hi light the darker brown colour.

Regards,

Rob

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I will look into all of those. We want a light colour to contrast against the darker insert. Would you recommend a plain grained timber or something interesting like silky oak?

American white oak would be nicely figured against that timber display case.

I once made similar such display cases for fresh and saltwater trout flies... out of WA Sheoak (Which is similarly grained to American white oak) just much darker...orange hue.

Cheers

Plain or figured? Figured may distract from the main aim
Silky oak? two types, but both turn golden/brown in time, southern is lighter, yellow/pink, northern is brown/.gold..... ignoring red and other types that is, but silky could work, but backsawn not quarter.

Silver ash is plain but white to be sure and could work, what about figured blackbutt (perhaps a bit yellow) northern tea tree would be good, light qld maple, light blackwood, kauri pine (perhaps too soft and yellow again) palonia?
Let me know if you need some silky oak
Greg

Hi Greg thanks for the tips. I have bought timbers from you before and not been disappointed. I will chat to my dsd who I'm working on this with and will get back to you. I don't have access to a thicknesser so would be looking to purchase uniform planks rather than slabs or chunks. simon.

I could thickness for you and bring down, (leaving all the detailed cutting and sizing to you) if you would like.
The problem is in deciding the timber I guess........
Greg

Thanks that's really helpful. Will look into timbers, do the design and get back to you.

PM (finally) sent.