Thread: Totara

Hi Andrea

Both opinions are probably true. The wood is weaker and softer than say rimu or kauri or one of the Aussie hardwoods. So it's maybe not the ideal wood for furniture. But having said that, it would still look great and as long as it's built appropriately and not subject to hard use it will be fine.

A heavy looking coffee table or an entertainment unit with T&G panneling would work fine, but it might not be so good for a dainty looking chair.

I'm not sure about the finishing, but I see on the side of my can of generic poly it's 'general porpose' but 'not recomended for Totara, Matai or Rimu floorboards' The problem is the oily extratives in the timber (which give it the durability) prevent some paints from drying properly.

If it was me I'd saw it up and use it, although it would make GREAT fenceposts, it's too good for that . Just pick an end use that suits the limitations of the wood.

Cheers

Ian

Mainly used for window frames in the old days,due to it's ability not to rot.
Very difficult to finish,used to use a special totara primer otherwise paint would just peel.
Oh and of course fence posts and mauri carvings.

Yep, knew about Maori carvings.....I was originally given three posts.... I gave one to a maori carver I know in Rotorua who drooled when he saw it... I kid you not.... these are large, dry, pristine, almost virgin pieces of totara.

If I can't do them justice, I'd rather they went to carvers, who CAN.

As the replies are all by kiwis, it seems we Aussies don't know much about totara - I'm sure I don't. Can you post a pic so we know what it looks like please - it sounds like an interesting timber.

Hi Andrea,
I'm interested in your question and the replies, as I have a pile of unmilled totara from a tree we had to cut down some years ago. I'm currently on the trail of someone with a chainsaw mill who might help me. At that point I may be making some totara furniture myself.

Anyway, the following is from "Woodworking with New Zealand Timbers" by Mike McDermott, publ Reed Methuen,Auckland'1985. I got my copy second hand a few years ago.

"The timber is red-brown in colour, strong, hard and extremely durable, but somewhat brittle. It is fairly straight grained and is easily worked.....The timber is excellent for carving, it finishes well and looks most attractive when coated with oil or wax. It can be used satisfactorily for furniture making".

If you can find a copy of this book it has really helpful comments on other woods.

From my very limited experience of totara, it cuts cleanly with sharp tools, but can split in places you don't want it to! I also know that there is "red" totara and "white" totara.

McDermott's comment on oil and wax finishes might be the clue you want. Leave off the polyurethane and go fo Danish oil.

Incidentally, if you know anyone at what used to be Forest Research Institute (now Ensis) in Rotorua they might be able to give you some help.

Cheers, and Kia Ora

ROB NZ

It looks like the vintage red pine found in arcs and skirtings old houses in oz
(very similar in appearance to dead heart W.R. cedar)

I have always thought red pine is totara though some mention has been made that red pine is califorian redwood.

Alex S,

There is no where I know of where totara can be purchased in our city, except from one of the demolition merchants. LIke most of our native timber, its like hen's teeth.

I'm sorry I don't have the capability of producing a photo, at least for the next few days. If no-one else has obliged before then, I will have a go.

Cheers

ROB NZ

Echnidna

True totara, is "Podocarpus totara". There is another totara, "Podocarpus hallii" but McDermott says the two timbers are difficult to distinguish.

I have heard totara called red pine, but to me that is saimply confusing.

Cheers.

ROB NZ

Hi all. I also have some rather large old totara fence posts waiting to be turned into something. I was thinking of making a coffee table - I'm not sure now if it may be too soft for this.
I am interested to hear of some of the features, problems etc associated with totara use and finishing.
Danish oil and Briwax is my favourite finish - seems like it should work well with totara too.
Will be interested to see what you do with your totara HandyAndrea.

Cheers, McFly

The 'Red pine' is most likely NZ rimu, I imagine some of that was exported in the 50-60s as it was the most common wood available in NZ. There is still a small amount commercially harvested, but nothing like when houses were made from it because it was the cheapest wood on the market

Rob
I met a guy at the last Fieldays that runs a woodmizer mill. I think he is based in Ngaruawahia, depending on how much you have to saw he could probably help you out. Or if it's a smaller log you could probably drag it to him to get it cut. I'd offer, but Stratford is a bit far away . Let me know if you want his contact details, I'm sure I've got his card stashed away someplece.

I agree the oil / wax is probably the way to finish it. And if it gets dented just call it 'character'

Cheers

Ian

Well, I wimped out! I discussed it with the tutor and the guys in my woodworking class tonight, and decided that, rather than ruin some perfectly beautiful totara by making furniture out of it, I'd swap it for the equivilent in heart rimu and make beautiful furniture from that! The tutor is a carver, and has two senior boys who have been trained by master carvers. (He also has a shed full of heart rimu). I figured that they would make much better use of the totara!

I think thats a win-win situation there.

The rimu will be better for furniture and the totara will be better for carving

Ian

Eggzackery!!

In my reply to Alex's request for a picture of totara wood, this evening on dusk I found an old totara fence batten, ran it through my new bandsaw, and then the planer and sander, but I'm disappointed in the result. Its not worth downloading a photo of very bland redddish wood, with no apparent grain at all. My fence batten which was split rather than sawn, must have been on the farm for 50yrs or more and must have been OB grade, certainly not heart, but that says something about the durability of the wood.

So rather than disappoint Alex and others I did a Google search -"totara wood timber new zealand". What a lot of stuff - academic papers, wood art , turnery etc. Anyway for a picture of totara look at

http://bushmansfriend.co.nz/xurl/Pag...7/content.html

The wood art and turnery is not exclusively totara, but nevertheless interesting.

Cheers
ROB NZ