Proper Australian wood for a unique frame

**JimMartin** · 27th June 2006, 03:53 AM

G’Day:
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Over the last few years I have done some work (real job, not woodworking) with the Cycling group at the Australian Institute of Sport. Just recently they gave me a World Champion cycling jersey signed by World Champions Anna Meares and Ryan Bailey. Very cool gift and very nice of the guys at the AIS!
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Now I want to build a frame to display it in my office. I was thinking of a shadow box, about 5cm deep. My first thought for wood was Lacewood. I was able to buy some Lacewood locally but now that I have it my shop and have planed it, I don’t really like the color and grain as much as I thought I would. Most of what I have seen in pictures is lighter in color and highly figured. The board I was able to buy locally (Salt Lake City, Utah, US) is really dark and the figure does not stand out so much.
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So, now to my question: If you guys had to build a frame for such a unique gift, what wood would you choose? What do you consider to be a definitively Australian Hardwood? How about a light/dark combination (one wood for the depth of the frame and another for the face)?
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Thanks,
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Jim

**echnidna** · 27th June 2006, 10:37 AM

Jarrah or Redgum

and if you want a lighter colored timber that looks good with them,
Tas. Oak

**BobL** · 27th June 2006, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by echnidna

Jarrah or Redgum
and if you want a lighter colored timber that looks good with them,
Tas. Oak

Seconded. If you wanted a lighter colour I would go for light jarrah, the kind that starts out almost pale pink and slowly (over 20 years) goes a rich light brown/orange colour. There are also some lightly coloured red gums available.

**Wild Dingo** · 27th June 2006, 03:42 PM

Banksia for the deeper frame Sheoak for the outter... simple choice really... I dont know what lace sheoak you got mate but the stuff I have is a really excellent color and the lace figureing stands out beautifully... maybe the Tas Oak for a trim strip?

Another way would be Wandoo or even Marri as the outer timber and Jarrah as the inner

I think maybe someone saw you coming? Can you show us a pic of this lacewood?

**Baz** · 27th June 2006, 03:57 PM

Shane it is quiet common in the states to call our Silky Oak as Lacewood, we refer to Lacewood as London Plane.
Cheers
Barry

**Wild Dingo** · 27th June 2006, 06:40 PM

Cheers Baz

So Im guessin its not Sheoak hes usin eh?

Okay lets see if I can post a pic here from my shutterfly album?

Okay great that worked

So the clock on the right... the centre timber is Sheoak... side peices Banksia... base Jarrah and bottom Sheoak

The clock on the left... again centre is Sheoak... side peices Banksia... Jarrah tiop and bottom stand with Tuart peice between

Coffee table... top bark to bark Tuart... legs Jarrah and stiles Sheoak

bark to bark... Sheoak coffee table

A better shot of the top

So Jim is that what your calling Aussie lace oak?

**JimMartin** · 28th June 2006, 04:02 AM

G'Day:

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! Here is the wood I bought locally as Lacewood. I have wet it down in the photo to simulate a glossy finish. What would you guys call this?

Thanks,

Jim

**Baz** · 28th June 2006, 04:34 PM

Silky Oak.
Cheers
Barry

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