Thread: Whats the buzz on PELAWAN?

Try here.http://www.timber.net.au/documents/d...Deck_Specs.pdf says Pelawan is a class 2


regards Pal

Thanks PAL..I'd checked that out on a google hunt but I reckon that says class 1 on the table. Either way I'd be happy as Class 2 for above ground pickets is fine same as Jarrah, Spotted Gum etc. Have you used it? One table I read says the locals just use it for firewood that triggers alarm bells!

Originally Posted by matthew P

One table I read says the locals just use it for firewood that triggers alarm bells!

That's not a bad sign, it's probably a good sign. That and "use it to make charcoal". Many great woods make great firewood, burning long, hot and clean. hmmm... ebony, hop hornbeam, olive, sheesham, come to mind. Not to mention eucalyptus.

Being good for firewood is not a guarantee of anything, though. Making charcoal is the traditional use of Wenge, and having made a couple of fair-sized pieces of furniture from it, I can only applaud the wisdom of the natives.

Machines like Balsa, class 1 durability, eh, Hahaha! Madagascar rosewood is closest I've come across to that description, at least poetically. According to my dad that is what Brazilian rosewood and Cuban mahagony were like, back in the day.

When you DO get the Pelawan- you know you want it - tell us how it is!

-Cameron Bobro

Hi mathew have only used it for decking and know next to nothing about it. Had a look at the decking that I layed about 2 years ago it still looks good, the Pelawan that is a couple of small offcuts under the deck showed no signs of rot and the white ants hadn,t touched it as yet.
Regards
Pal

Thanks PAL good to hear no rot or decay in evidence

Hope you didn't make a special trip . Any lifting or movement? was it hard to cut & nail?

Thanks also BOBRO I have a contender for you thats closer to your european markets. African Denya! Now that will blunt your chisels!

Mathew , no lifting or movement and no harder to cut than jarrah .I predrrilled all the nail holes after the first two or three split. i left them in the deck and they don't seem to have opend any further.

Regards
Pal

Er, class one durability that machines like balsa ? That'd be the huon pine that you'd be dreaming about...