Timber selection Q

**Auld Bassoon** · 2nd May 2006, 08:59 PM

G'day forumites!

I have in mind, for my next project, to build a replica of the table shown on page 8 of the "Woodworkers Journal" - Collector's Edition. The original used American Cherry.

I have dimensioned the table and subsequently costed the timber. American Cherry comes in at around $850 for the 25 LM (approx) that I need of 140 x 38mm stock; Tas. Myrtle at about $100 less, and Blackwood a similar price.

As this table (and to follow chairs) is just for me, I'm a bit leery of spending that much on timber stock alone for one project.

My question is this: I have in stock a little over 25 LM of 140 x 19mm Jarrah, so could I use this, laminated up, for the legs, rails, stiles & stretchers (bearing in mind that the legs are fabricated, and hollow 100mm x 170mm in plan view, with an inverted Dorian-type of base plinth), and a complementary but different timber for the top - say Blackwood?

My mind says all Myrtle, but my wallet keeps biting my tail end and saying.... well you can imagine

Alternatively, I can get my mitts on some Red Gum (which I love!), rough sawn in around 50mm thick by c170 boards for about $15/ LM.

As I'd want the chairs, which are of a similar essential design, the timber would need to be both reasonably stong and stable, which is where I'd be concerned with R. Gum.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

**Lignum** · 2nd May 2006, 09:04 PM

Steve dont be a tightass, go for the Myrtle

**Auld Bassoon** · 2nd May 2006, 09:21 PM

He He - Now why am I not surprised at that answer? Note to self: tell wallet to shut-up

Thanks Mate!

PS Have you got your Domino yet?

**echnidna** · 2nd May 2006, 09:28 PM

Rose gum's not a bad match for redgum and is suitable for chairs

**Bodgy** · 2nd May 2006, 09:59 PM

Wot's wrong with Red Gum? Apart, maybe, it's predeliction to tear out, which is where the scraper comes in.

Bassoon, I expect I'm teaching egg sucking here, but have you ever made a lot of chairs? I made two recently and found it mind crushingly tedious. I expect your setting will seat 8. Have you enough benzo-diazepines?

Mind you, I have the concentration span of a gnat.

**Lignum** · 2nd May 2006, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

Have you got your Domino yet?

If you are going to go to all the trouble of making a nice dining suit for yourself, you will be thankfull in years to come when you look back and be pleased that you didnt skimp on timber choice and quality of your original choice. And the Domino is a few weeks off when i get paid for my last job

cant wait

It will be perfect for table and chairs

Originally Posted by Bodgy

have you ever made a lot of chairs? I made two recently and found it mind crushingly tedious.

Bodgy, making chairs is the most enjoyable of all woodworking activities i reckon. It dose become adictive after a while

**black1** · 3rd May 2006, 02:13 AM

jarrah legs jarrah top jarrah chairs.

bewwwdiful

**Auld Bassoon** · 3rd May 2006, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lignum

... (The) Domino is a few weeks off ... It will be perfect for table and chairs

I know, but couldn't possibly justify one. Methinks I'll stay with traditional M/Ts for this one, but I reckon a jig or two to get the spacing, etc just right will be in order.

**Rocker** · 3rd May 2006, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

I know, but couldn't possibly justify one. Methinks I'll stay with traditional M/Ts for this one, but I reckon a jig or two to get the spacing, etc just right will be in order.

Thinking of building a Rocker morticing jig, Steve?

Rocker

**Auld Bassoon** · 3rd May 2006, 08:34 PM

Hi Rocker,

Exactly mate! For the reasons I mentioned in terms of alignment and accuracy. In fact, I've already laid in the necessary materials - so this w/end looks like a good chance.

The remaining joinery (long mitres for the corners of the hollow legs excepted :eek: ) is relatively straightforward.

I'll be posting WiP stuff (probably post event, mind!) which will doubtless illustrate the use of your jig in motion, so to speak.

BTW, there's a sideboard/buffet in the same style by MikeMcGlynn that I might have a go at later on.

**Arron** · 3rd May 2006, 11:02 PM

Steve, youre building an heirloom here, right ? Do you really think you'll look at this piece in ten years and regret the extra hundred bucks or so you spent.

If it were me, I'd go for the cherry.

Arron

**TommyC** · 3rd May 2006, 11:21 PM

Steve, You managed to get some knobs for the jig? if not, try MowerPower on North road and Warrigal Road, they sell the knobs as a mower spare part (for the folding handle bar). I could not get any at Bunnings or Blackwoods when i looked a few weeks ago.

**Justin** · 4th May 2006, 10:10 PM

Hi Steve,

By my reckoning, $750 for 25 lm of 140x38 comes out at over five and a half grand per cube. That's pricey !!!

Do you have buzzer and thicknesser ? If so I've seen heaps of opportunities to pick up blackwood at around three grand per cube, give or take a few hundred, which would bring your 750 bucks down a fair bit.

Check the trading post, or P.M me for a couple of suggestions.

Cheers,

Justin.

**Lignum** · 4th May 2006, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Justin

Hi Steve,

By my reckoning, $750 for 25 lm of 140x38 comes out at over five and a half grand per cube. That's pricey !!!

Justin.

Yor right Justin, but i think Steve might have been generalising as thats around $30lm. At the moment Brittons in Dandenong sell Blackwood 175 x 38 for $23.95lm and 125 x 38 for $15.15 and for the rails you would need 125 x 25 $7.80 (or 100 x 25 but i dont have that price) and depending on the table legs if Steves going to laminate, but 100 x 50 $18.40 is the price

**Auld Bassoon** · 9th May 2006, 06:06 PM

Hi all,

I snuck off today to Australian Furniture Timbers, down in Port Melbourne. Spent a happy hour or so clambering over, between and along large stacks of some seriously lovely timber with the owner/manager (?).

I had a look at all sorts of stuff for the upcoming dining table, and contrary to all previous thoughts have decided to go with some plantation grown Swietenia Mahogany (S. W.) - see below.

I also looked at and considered Red Box (bought a sample, but it's truly a s*d to hand plane :eek: ), and some Merbau (also known as Kwila).

These folks have quite an inventory of some truly smashing timber, and are willing to spend time with a w/e warrior, even if the purchase is for a pretty small amount.

For the record, I was quoted $38.02 L/M for 250 x 38 Swietenia; 100 x 100 @ $40.25 and 200 x 25 @ $18.32 (all GST inclusive of course) which seems fair for surface planed/skimmed stock. I was also told that I can rummage through the stack and select the boards that I want - so long as I leave the stack in proper order, and not a Maggie's nest:eek:

I also picked up 900mm of 75 x 75mm Beech to use as the former for the Shepherd Spiers #7 replica for just over $22.

I'll be back there tomorrow to order the S. W.

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