Thread: Need help with Entertainment Unit. Choosing the right timber and finish

G'day Marc,

Can't help with the type or colour of timber/s that'll be your choice. I don't want to deter you from what you want to do, but can I suggest keep it matching/simple/contempory or whatever you want to call it, which can often be/look more beautiful.

As for finishes (I assume you will be bushing) and even if you were to spray, a gloss will show up every blemish/brush mark, dust speck, fly track etc, I would suggest use a low sheen or matt finish.

Goodluck and I hope you get top marks

Light coloured: N silky oak, coachwood, blackbutt (hardwood, heavy), silver ash (can be heavy), white cedar, pine hoop, even radiata, (but I wouldn't go there....), pencil cedar, light campholaurel, brushbox. flooded gum (pinkish), European beech, tas myrtle, Qld maple

dark; rosewood, dark red cedar, jarrah, redgum, walnut, blackbean, red mahogany,

Suggest rosewood for dark as easy to work and beautiful grain. For the light, depends on colour you want and budget. N silky oak would be OK, (gold) backsawn, not quarter sawn, silver ash could be too heavy, pine could be OK if you get good quality boards, tas myrtle may be too pink, pencil cedar would be good, a light brown colour. Euro beech also good, but could be expensive and is not Australian

Greg

Thanks for all the suggestions. Do you know if those timbers are readily available in the Sutherland Shire area? Also, why do you think that i should steer clear of radiata and what do you think of maybe using veneered particle board?

I can get you N silky oak, red cedar, rosewood, coachwood, check the Marketing section for sale for some photos at Cremorne. pm me if you want more information
Also check out Boutique Timbers web site as well, Anagote Timbers at Marrickville
Radiata Pine is a little passe for fine work, seen as common with poor grain, but if you find nice boards, that could be OK.
Particle Board.... I think better marks would be gained using real timber
You need to prepare a cutting list so you can get quotes
Greg

At the bottom end of the price range, plain old Tassie Oak tends to look good trimmed with Jarrah or Merbau.

Not as much of the exotic factor, but is relatively easily worked and obtainable down at your local timber supply.

If you want some very light coloured timber that is easy to work with, but not cheap, consider Paulownia. The good thing about Paulownia is that unlike Pine it does not darken as it ages provided it is sealed/finished. It's main disadvantage is that it is softish but as an entertainment unit is not subject to wear and tear this would not be a problem.

Whitewood

I'd be interested in your design - I might need to pinch any good ideas for one I have to do.

BTW, I'm going to use some Northern Silky

Maybe you could use an alternative to timber like lego or something might look pretty cool, or maybe use balsa wood