Thread: tight grain

kwila , spotted gum ,depends on the project , colour , weight , ??

Kwila/merbau can be prone to splitting. I'd reccomend spotted gum.

Mick

If you are in rural victoria, you may have access to some box species. I recently got to play with Brush Box. It is light weight for a box, very tight and dense grain, easy to plain. Has a beautiful smell and a lovely figure. Red gum should be easy to get.

sorry but i have to disagree about kwila being prone to splitting .
it is very stable thats why it is used a lot in and around brisbane for polished internal staircases and handrails

... but kwila has open grain....... doesn't it?


How about some beech or maple?

Originally Posted by texx

sorry but i have to disagree about kwila being prone to splitting .
it is very stable thats why it is used a lot in and around brisbane for polished internal staircases and handrails

In this case, I assume 'prone to splitting' refers to the workability properties, in which case I agree with Mick, it is very prone to splitting, as one who's done quite a few checkouts around posts for decks can testify. If it is to do with stability and durability then I agree with you, it's quite a stable timber.

generic tassie oak may also do.

Cheers
Michael

Nev - knowing what it is you're wanting to make would help with recommending a wood. Are you planning to carve it? turn it? make small, delicate parts? Any of the above could have a big influence on my choice.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by texx

sorry but i have to disagree about kwila being prone to splitting ..........

What Mic-D said. Take a bit of Kwila and drive a chisel into the end grain near an edge and see how easily you can split a piece off. It is stable and durable and won't generally split as it dries, just in working.

Mick