Thread: Hi from South Africa

Welcome.

Where about in SA are you? What can you tell us about the woodworking scene and the wood in your area?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Where about in SA are you? What can you tell us about the woodworking scene and the wood in your area?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek, I'm in a small town called Ladismith in the Klein-Karoo region of the Western Cape. We seldom speak English (home language is Afrikaans) so my apologies in advance for any grammar of spelling mistakes! Grew up here and I've been working at a local dairy for almost 20 years now. Other than woodwork I also enjoy hiking, camping, cycling and taking gravel-road trips on my BMW motorcycle.

Due to the hot and dry climate our region (and South Africa in general) doesn't have much in terms of indigenous woods, apart perhaps from a few species of yellowwood. Therefor most woods like oak, Oregon pine, etc. are fairly expensive. Established pine plantations provide almost exclusively for the building industry (roof trusses, shelving, etc.). Meranti is normally used for all commercially available doors and windows. A favourite of many South Africans (and me as well) is the use of reclaimed railway sleepers which can vary from yellowwood to teak and make for exceptional quality furniture, but often extremely hard on woodworking machinery.

As with many other areas in the world (I guess?) the true appreciation for hand crafted, solid wood furniture has diminished over the years. I also like to work with 16mm chipboard for cupboards, etc. and it has its place, but unfortunately no character or uniqueness at all.

Cheers!

Welcome to the group

Hi stokperdjie,where are you from?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Welcome.

Hi everyone, I typed a detailed reply but perhaps I did something wrong, so here goes something similar again...

I've been born and still living in the small town of Ladismith, in the Western Cape of South Africa, where I work at a local cheese factory. Our region is known as the Klein-Karoo and about dead centre on the popular Route 62 road. Due to the almost desert-like climate we don't have much in terms of indigenous trees for woodworking, so most is either very expensive or more suited for building materials (like pine, etc.)

I've got the basic hand and power tools up to a table saw and a trusty old DeWalt RAS that I've bought and restored some years back. Actually thinking about getting a thicknesser which I've posted about elsewhere. I like to build anything, from a chess set to a bar, benches, cupboards, etc. Mostly for personal use but on request I've made and sold a few items as well.

Anyway, good to be around like-minded people, and thanks for all the welcomes so far. PS: since my home language is Afrikaans, I hereby apologise in advance for any spelling or grammar mistakes that might slip through!

Nou ja, hoe gaan dit, Stokperdjie. Verskoon my - my Afrikaans is meer vrot as vlot. Ek is 35 jare in Oz, van Kaapstad af, en nou in Perth.

There are a good many ex-SA's on this forum. My mother lives in Cape Town and I visit her every year. Rarely do I see much in the way of hobby woodworking. I have only once seen an old Stanley plane for sale. I would love to get some of the woods here. I have used Kiaat and, especially, Makore, which is simply wonderful to work I predominantly use hand tools).

Here is an article I wrote some years ago that will mean something to you: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Comment...esfontein.html

Totsiens van Perth af

Derek

Welkom!

Welcome to the forum.

Lekker om Afrikaans te hoor Derek, dis nog perfek! Looks like my posts were in for moderation first, therefor the double entry. I like your article on Matjiesfontein, we've actually been there recently and had lunch in the grand old hotel. It's about 130km from Ladismith where I live.

Yes the "kiaat" (teak) is really something special if you can get your hands on some!

Welkom.....

Welcome to the forum.

Regards
Keith

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum.
There are quite a few members from South Africa and cross the rest of this country and the world.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork......
Cheers crowie