Thread: Timber advise for a grandfather clock

Oh yeah, probably find something.

Theres quite a few domestic timbers in that density range, and some of them are very much recognized tonewoods. Theres plenty more that probably would be perfectly okay just based on a density/grain point.

QMP is of course a favourite of Maton. Its internationally recognised as a Honduran Mahogany substitite. I'd say most of the Flindersias would be equally acceptable.
Blackwood is used for basses (also by Maton) and has quite a following internationally for high end guitars in the niche market. That being the case I'd say most of the salwoods would be fine.

Tassie Oak/Vic Ash and Flooded Gum are also not that far out based on a weight and grain perspective... and they can when quarter sawn be beautiful in their own right.
I've seen a clock done in Banksia and it was really cool, though i dont know what it sounded like.

Decide what colour range you are looking at then go Matthews and see what they have. Just say you'd prefer a domestic species if it makes sense economically and see what they come up with. AFT used to be the go to place in Melbourne for FNQ species but they're gone now but Im sure someone has taken up the slack.
I dont mind doing small lots ex mill but even with no middleman the freight can often kill it on small volumes. Happy enough to price it out if its something we carry though to see and I'll bet a yarn with a miller in any state would come up with a heap of options that might make sense for a clock.

I dunno... I like seeing people happy with the wood they've chosen for a given job. And I like seeing the right wood go for the right job. But I'm also quite frankly puzzled as to why when we live in a country with some of the worlds most highly regarded cabinet woods the default go to's are all imported. I understand the commercial reasons why the timber agents lead you towards that stuff, and I understand that sometimes at the prices they quote its only common sense in terms of bang for your buck to go with that stuff, or you ask for some species and they say "cant get it anymore" because they're too dammed lazy to go find it.

Its just that at some point if Australian woodworkers dont ask for domestic species because they're (a) world class timbers in their own right, and (b) supporting a local sawmill not a multinational wood processor: well... sooner or later you wont have any domestic choices left.

Yup! Think global, shop local.

We do, in this country have the hardest and prettiest timbers known to man. Trouble is, they are generally not known to man. Customer, ignorant as they tend to be, Looks for "normal", mahogany, rosewood, beech, oak, etc. "That is how it was done in the past, so that must be the standard moving forward". Ding, wrong. Some of our local species will out last, and are way more pretty than anything as bland as American Oak. Yep, grand statement but realistically, quite true.

Use Australian timbers in your clock build. You know you should.

Oh, and welcome back Waldo.
Cheers

Thanks for the feedback you lot.