Thread: Overseas versus Australian Timbers

Originally Posted by BobL

Personally speaking I'd prefer we didn't compare timbers like this as it degrades the inherent properties and self worth of the lesser known timbers.....

Bob - I heartily agree with your sentiments. My point was simply to suggest a couple of woods that can be used to replace Northern hemisphere species where they are called for in imported plans. We are burdened by our heritage, so a lot of what we make is based on, if not outright copies of, furniture made from the woods available to people in the "Western" northern hemisphere. I was suggesting some local woods that will substitute for colour, & workability and appropriate to the dimensions stipulated when Cherry & Walnut are called for, & on that basis alone. Unfortunately, many of our undeniably-spectacular woods are too tough to be easily wrought into the complex shapes often required, & too dense to be practical in furniture designed around the strength properties of less durable stuff.


Couldn't agree more that we are blessed with a much wider range of woods than those living above the northern Tropic. And I do love to see them made into striking objets, where all of the properties of the wood are fully appreciated, by woodworkers with 10 times my imagination, originality & talent! (I exclude 90% of 'slab' 'furniture' from this category..... )

Cheers,