Suitable timbers

**bobmundy** · 20th June 2001, 07:14 PM

We operate a laser-engraver, and most of our work is on redgum, as well as 'plastic' composites, leather, glass (incl. reverse on mirror glass). We have tried other timbers, such as ironbark, messmate/vic ash/tas oak, pine, blackwood and oregon to name a few. The results are excellent on even-grained redgum, less effective on blackwood, and not really flash on the other timbers. You could view some (not many) examples of the kind of work we do at www.woodnsigns.com.au. We also replicate diplomas, marriage cert's, etc, laser boxes, photo frames, the photos themselves!!, and so on.......
We are hoping the collective knowledge on this board may be able to suggest some readily available and suitable timbers upon which we can laser-engrave.
It appears the more even the grain, in colour and density, similar to pyrography, the better the result.
We await your replies.

------------------
Bob-
You won't get a second chance to make a good first impression...

**malhyp** · 19th January 2007, 07:39 AM

Hey there, where are you based?

I can only think of Blackbutt & Tas Oak which are available in Vic.

Cheers
Malcolm
www.timberseek.com.au

**SilentButDeadly** · 19th January 2007, 09:35 AM

Huey knows where you'll find some (although Oz hand plane makers use it) but Gidgee (Acacia cambagei) would be worth a shot. http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/specie...ent.pl?id=9945

Other native species that might be useful (but hard to find) are Sandalwood and Grey Mangrove.

Some non-natives that might come up that might be worth a go are old stone fruit and citrus trees.

**reeves** · 19th January 2007, 11:27 AM

okay, other Eucalypts with even grain that may be suitable..the lighter rosegum, whitegum .pale bluegum., bloodwood,maybe..southern silky oak, hoop pine, bunya pine

In tassie woods, Huon pine would be great, plain myrtle or other beech varieties, plain
celerytop pine, plain yellow or pink sassafras

in Qld ,honey colored Qld maple/silkwood would be excellent, red and white cedar, budgeroo,

other suitable varieties might be, paulownia, jacaranda,

a good place to get advice or look at smaples would be the high end timber merchants such as Mathews, some of the recyclers or timber salvage people, Vince manna at timberline designs,http://www.timberlinedesigns.com.au/ who is a member of the wood collectors society.

U need to find someone with a good sample collection and have a good look at many varieties...

these sites have a list and pics of species

http://www.tasmaniantimbers.com.au/
http://www.timber.net.au/species/
http://www.woodworld.com.au/timber_types.htm
http://gearconsulting.com.au/
http://www.woodcollectors.org/
http://www.pnc.com.au/~jaxtrans/tr_gallery.html

cheeeeers
john

**soundman** · 19th January 2007, 11:36 AM

You may find that some of the " less favorable" timbers may respond better when the surface is consolidated with some for of finish.

cheers

**journeyman Mick** · 19th January 2007, 01:02 PM

Even grained timbers which might be suitable:
Kauri, Hoop and Bunya Pine, Qld Maple, Silver Ash, Yellow Walnut.

Mick

**KevM** · 19th January 2007, 01:14 PM

Bob hasn't posted since 2003

**TassieKiwi** · 19th January 2007, 01:15 PM

Don't ya hate that!

**reeves** · 20th January 2007, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by TassieKiwi

Don't ya hate that!

yeah, i didnt notice the date at all, did notice thier iste has dissapeared..ho hum

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