Timber suggestions sought

**Scribbly Gum** · 22nd December 2009, 01:16 PM

Greetings of the season to all woodies.
A plea for help if you can please.
I am going to make a set of upright trestle stools that will be used around the workshop. My first thought was to make them of Radiata for light weight, but its softness is offputting.
Can anyone suggest a possible hardwood (or a harder wood) that isn't too heavy that would be a lightweight but tougher substitute?
Thanks in advance
SG

**chowcini** · 22nd December 2009, 07:18 PM

maybe a pine frame ,but a hardwood top .... some thing like spotted gum or tas oak, ngrosewood is light and fairly tough ??

**InterTD6** · 22nd December 2009, 09:47 PM

Clear grained rose gum (flooded gum), light & strong once seasoned.
regards inter

**artme** · 23rd December 2009, 06:50 AM

Trouble with Radiata for such a purpose is the unreliable strength of the grain.

Seen several chairs break, even though they looked fine. Simply fell apart along the grain.

**Scribbly Gum** · 23rd December 2009, 07:26 AM

Thanks fellas,
I take the point about the unreliability of radiata in joinery.
I have some NGR but it is too good for this workshop application and I am saving it for a sofa table but thanks for the suggestion.
Flooded gum sounds like a good idea - I'll see where I can source it locally.
Alternatively the mixed species solution sounds good as well.
I do have a little oregon (douglas fir) and combined with a hardwood top this could be a suitable solution.
I'll keep you posted.
Cheers from Tele Point
SG

**Travis Edwards** · 25th December 2009, 12:51 PM

ash would be easy to acquire, fairly cheap not extremely heavy and fairly durable. most hardware chains sell it as kd hardwood.

**John Saxton** · 28th December 2009, 04:10 PM

SG, I made a couple out of recycled Jarrah about 10/12 years ago .
They are still going strong and are as solid and heavy to move about but are stable and handy for doing and sheet work.

Cheers John.

**Scribbly Gum** · 28th December 2009, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the suggestions Travis and Johnno.
I forgot how good ash was and it certainly is one of the lighter hardwoods.
Jarrah would be perfect for wear and tear but a little on the heavy side for what I am looking at.
I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks again
SG

**BobL** · 28th December 2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

Thanks for the suggestions Travis and Johnno.
I forgot how good ash was and it certainly is one of the lighter hardwoods.
Jarrah would be perfect for wear and tear but a little on the heavy side for what I am looking at.
I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks again
SG

Ash has a 12% MC density of 700 kg/m^3, whereas Jarrah is 820 kg/m^3 or a difference of 17% , but all you have to do is use 17% less jarrah and you are back at the same weight?

**InterTD6** · 28th December 2009, 09:43 PM

Its not hardwood but I usually make saw stools out of oregon when I come across it in demolition for alterations. If your from telegraph point near taree NSW then there should be some small sawmills cutting for pallet timber around that area which would have flooded gum available.
regards inter

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