Mahogany replacement

[Joe Antin]

I am planning my decking for Rascal and I am looking for a replacement for the mahogany - both because of the expense and for environmental reasons. Does anyone have a suggestion for alternatives that look similar and are durable?

[Joe Antin]

I am planning my decking for Rascal and I am looking for a replacement for the mahogany - both because of the expense and for environmental reasons. Does anyone have a suggestion for alternatives that look similar and are durable?

[Joe Antin]

I am planning my decking for Rascal and I am looking for a replacement for the mahogany - both because of the expense and for environmental reasons. Does anyone have a suggestion for alternatives that look similar and are durable?

[Tom Lathrop]

Joe,

I assume that your environmental concerns are about deforestation. In that case, most woods of similar appearance will share the same concerns since they are mostly tropical.

One species that is getting a lot of use, even by high end builders, is black cherry. I use it a lot for both interior and exterior on boats. Its readily available, domestic, beautiful grain, relative durable, harder than most mahoganies, grows in many areas and I'm told that it is not in short supply. You could also veneer with domestic black walnut but I don't like it on boats very much. There is a California Claro walnut that is lighter and more brown than the usual black variety.

I plan to use some old Honduras mahogany on the deck of the runabout I'm working on. When I read articles about forest preservation relative to home built furniture and boats, the picture is very cloudy. We don't register on the usage scale and it's not clear what the picture really is. I agree with you that, if it bothers you to use a certain material, then don't use it. There is a lot of bad information that comes out on the environmental front though.

What kind of wood did you use for the molding laminates?

[ 09-29-2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Tom Lathrop ]

[Tom Lathrop]

Joe,

I assume that your environmental concerns are about deforestation. In that case, most woods of similar appearance will share the same concerns since they are mostly tropical.

One species that is getting a lot of use, even by high end builders, is black cherry. I use it a lot for both interior and exterior on boats. Its readily available, domestic, beautiful grain, relative durable, harder than most mahoganies, grows in many areas and I'm told that it is not in short supply. You could also veneer with domestic black walnut but I don't like it on boats very much. There is a California Claro walnut that is lighter and more brown than the usual black variety.

I plan to use some old Honduras mahogany on the deck of the runabout I'm working on. When I read articles about forest preservation relative to home built furniture and boats, the picture is very cloudy. We don't register on the usage scale and it's not clear what the picture really is. I agree with you that, if it bothers you to use a certain material, then don't use it. There is a lot of bad information that comes out on the environmental front though.

What kind of wood did you use for the molding laminates?

[ 09-29-2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Tom Lathrop ]

[Tom Lathrop]

Joe,

I assume that your environmental concerns are about deforestation. In that case, most woods of similar appearance will share the same concerns since they are mostly tropical.

One species that is getting a lot of use, even by high end builders, is black cherry. I use it a lot for both interior and exterior on boats. Its readily available, domestic, beautiful grain, relative durable, harder than most mahoganies, grows in many areas and I'm told that it is not in short supply. You could also veneer with domestic black walnut but I don't like it on boats very much. There is a California Claro walnut that is lighter and more brown than the usual black variety.

I plan to use some old Honduras mahogany on the deck of the runabout I'm working on. When I read articles about forest preservation relative to home built furniture and boats, the picture is very cloudy. We don't register on the usage scale and it's not clear what the picture really is. I agree with you that, if it bothers you to use a certain material, then don't use it. There is a lot of bad information that comes out on the environmental front though.

What kind of wood did you use for the molding laminates?

[ 09-29-2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Tom Lathrop ]

[Ken Hutchins]

I'm using Black (or Red as some call it) Birch, mostly because I have it, smile.gif I cut it off my own land, can't beat the price only some gas and oil. :D
Now about environmental concerns, I wish the greenies would realize that when a hardwood tree it cut down several new trees will sprout form the stump, and will grow rapidly because of the large healthy root system. A lot of animals rely on this new growth for food and cover. If a tree gets old enough to die of natural causes nothing will grow from the stump and all you get in return is a pile of rotten mush. IN OTHER WORDS the proper way to maintain a healthy forest is make use of the chain saw.

[Ken Hutchins]

I'm using Black (or Red as some call it) Birch, mostly because I have it, smile.gif I cut it off my own land, can't beat the price only some gas and oil. :D
Now about environmental concerns, I wish the greenies would realize that when a hardwood tree it cut down several new trees will sprout form the stump, and will grow rapidly because of the large healthy root system. A lot of animals rely on this new growth for food and cover. If a tree gets old enough to die of natural causes nothing will grow from the stump and all you get in return is a pile of rotten mush. IN OTHER WORDS the proper way to maintain a healthy forest is make use of the chain saw.

[Ken Hutchins]

I'm using Black (or Red as some call it) Birch, mostly because I have it, smile.gif I cut it off my own land, can't beat the price only some gas and oil. :D
Now about environmental concerns, I wish the greenies would realize that when a hardwood tree it cut down several new trees will sprout form the stump, and will grow rapidly because of the large healthy root system. A lot of animals rely on this new growth for food and cover. If a tree gets old enough to die of natural causes nothing will grow from the stump and all you get in return is a pile of rotten mush. IN OTHER WORDS the proper way to maintain a healthy forest is make use of the chain saw.

[imported_Mac]

Not sure if this helps,
I have the same considerations as you Joe, and after some searching I found a link about using Andiroba.
I am told that it looks like mahogany, but it doesn't have the nice grain.

I can live with that, but lately someone here in Denmark told me that one should not use Andiroba as it is to soft.

So..... basically I am trying offer you an alternative, but I am not so sure myself :rolleyes:

I haven't got my hands on a piece yet, so I can't tell who is right and who is wrong.

there was something here :
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004689

Here is a thread on Ipe:
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006537

And here a very interesting one on Jatoba / Ipe:
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006975

Hope this helps you a little.

If someone knows more about Andiroba; I welcome any information.

[imported_Mac]

Not sure if this helps,
I have the same considerations as you Joe, and after some searching I found a link about using Andiroba.
I am told that it looks like mahogany, but it doesn't have the nice grain.

I can live with that, but lately someone here in Denmark told me that one should not use Andiroba as it is to soft.

So..... basically I am trying offer you an alternative, but I am not so sure myself :rolleyes:

I haven't got my hands on a piece yet, so I can't tell who is right and who is wrong.

there was something here :
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004689

Here is a thread on Ipe:
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006537

And here a very interesting one on Jatoba / Ipe:
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006975

Hope this helps you a little.

If someone knows more about Andiroba; I welcome any information.

[imported_Mac]

Not sure if this helps,
I have the same considerations as you Joe, and after some searching I found a link about using Andiroba.
I am told that it looks like mahogany, but it doesn't have the nice grain.

I can live with that, but lately someone here in Denmark told me that one should not use Andiroba as it is to soft.

So..... basically I am trying offer you an alternative, but I am not so sure myself :rolleyes:

I haven't got my hands on a piece yet, so I can't tell who is right and who is wrong.

there was something here :
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004689

Here is a thread on Ipe:
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006537

And here a very interesting one on Jatoba / Ipe:
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006975

Hope this helps you a little.

If someone knows more about Andiroba; I welcome any information.

[Joe Antin]

thanks guys - how about using sapele plywood. I recognize that it is tropical, but apparently Gabon is managing the forests well. I am a little concerned about sanding through the veneer.

[Joe Antin]

thanks guys - how about using sapele plywood. I recognize that it is tropical, but apparently Gabon is managing the forests well. I am a little concerned about sanding through the veneer.

[Joe Antin]

thanks guys - how about using sapele plywood. I recognize that it is tropical, but apparently Gabon is managing the forests well. I am a little concerned about sanding through the veneer.

[jeff pierce]

Before you give up on Mahogany, spend some time looking for used, reclaimable lumber. You'd be surprised what you can find if you look hard enough. Let people around you know what you are looking for and why. People are fascinated with wooden boat projects and often want to help you out.

I bet there are lots of old decaying victorian homes in Boston with mahogany moldings and trim that are being gutted or demolished. See if you can swing a deal with a contractor.

I found a website at one point that had something like 7000 linear feet of reclaimed mahogany molding for sale.

Good luck.

[jeff pierce]

Before you give up on Mahogany, spend some time looking for used, reclaimable lumber. You'd be surprised what you can find if you look hard enough. Let people around you know what you are looking for and why. People are fascinated with wooden boat projects and often want to help you out.

I bet there are lots of old decaying victorian homes in Boston with mahogany moldings and trim that are being gutted or demolished. See if you can swing a deal with a contractor.

I found a website at one point that had something like 7000 linear feet of reclaimed mahogany molding for sale.

Good luck.

[jeff pierce]

Before you give up on Mahogany, spend some time looking for used, reclaimable lumber. You'd be surprised what you can find if you look hard enough. Let people around you know what you are looking for and why. People are fascinated with wooden boat projects and often want to help you out.

I bet there are lots of old decaying victorian homes in Boston with mahogany moldings and trim that are being gutted or demolished. See if you can swing a deal with a contractor.

I found a website at one point that had something like 7000 linear feet of reclaimed mahogany molding for sale.

Good luck.

[Ed Harrow]

No comment for its use for your purpose, but I know people have used spanish cedar to replace planks in Mahogany planked boats. The numbers are similar (swelling, strength, weight, etc, IIRC)

[Ed Harrow]

No comment for its use for your purpose, but I know people have used spanish cedar to replace planks in Mahogany planked boats. The numbers are similar (swelling, strength, weight, etc, IIRC)

[Ed Harrow]

No comment for its use for your purpose, but I know people have used spanish cedar to replace planks in Mahogany planked boats. The numbers are similar (swelling, strength, weight, etc, IIRC)

[DougC]

Black cherry is my red wood of choice, though I was just given a bunch of Mahogany "scaps" --actually a few pretty nice pieces, including crotch wood. Might make nice breathook and stern knees etc. Will probably use black cherry for the gunwales, though that's a ways off. I normally eschew tropical woods, but in this case I'm gonna chew them tongue.gif D.

[DougC]

Black cherry is my red wood of choice, though I was just given a bunch of Mahogany "scaps" --actually a few pretty nice pieces, including crotch wood. Might make nice breathook and stern knees etc. Will probably use black cherry for the gunwales, though that's a ways off. I normally eschew tropical woods, but in this case I'm gonna chew them tongue.gif D.

[DougC]

Black cherry is my red wood of choice, though I was just given a bunch of Mahogany "scaps" --actually a few pretty nice pieces, including crotch wood. Might make nice breathook and stern knees etc. Will probably use black cherry for the gunwales, though that's a ways off. I normally eschew tropical woods, but in this case I'm gonna chew them tongue.gif D.

[John Blazy]

Good topic, even when our usage is low, its still representaional. I too was concerned over usage, and utilized two methods to decrease my contrubution to deforestation. First off, Ken may be right about cutting live trees, but the issue in cutting mahogony trees is that the "stands" (sometimes three trees constitute a stand) of good mahogony are buried in the forest amonst other vegetation and lumbermen clear out acres of forest just to get to the trees. This doesn't regenerate, and the soil washes into the rivers.

What I did was buy a salvaged board for the solid gunwhales, and then bought veneer for the foredeck. This may sound difficult for some, but veneering is worth the effort - even without a vacuum bag. Veneer is responsible because so little goes a long way - my deck below uses the equivalent of a 3" x 12" x 3/4" piece of solid mahogony
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pdae45092d8a88ff1f404372d54f8819d/fb045753.jpg

Veneering (epoxy) on this scale could easily be done with pre-crowned clamping cauls and a couple dozen Besseys.

What ticks me off is the local restaraunt chain "Max & Ermas" used ALL solid mahogony for the entry doors and trim of the whole place.
Like, who in cleveland is really going to appreciate that nice wood? They stained it dark too, so cherry would have been fine.

[John Blazy]

Good topic, even when our usage is low, its still representaional. I too was concerned over usage, and utilized two methods to decrease my contrubution to deforestation. First off, Ken may be right about cutting live trees, but the issue in cutting mahogony trees is that the "stands" (sometimes three trees constitute a stand) of good mahogony are buried in the forest amonst other vegetation and lumbermen clear out acres of forest just to get to the trees. This doesn't regenerate, and the soil washes into the rivers.

What I did was buy a salvaged board for the solid gunwhales, and then bought veneer for the foredeck. This may sound difficult for some, but veneering is worth the effort - even without a vacuum bag. Veneer is responsible because so little goes a long way - my deck below uses the equivalent of a 3" x 12" x 3/4" piece of solid mahogony
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pdae45092d8a88ff1f404372d54f8819d/fb045753.jpg

Veneering (epoxy) on this scale could easily be done with pre-crowned clamping cauls and a couple dozen Besseys.

What ticks me off is the local restaraunt chain "Max & Ermas" used ALL solid mahogony for the entry doors and trim of the whole place.
Like, who in cleveland is really going to appreciate that nice wood? They stained it dark too, so cherry would have been fine.

[John Blazy]

Good topic, even when our usage is low, its still representaional. I too was concerned over usage, and utilized two methods to decrease my contrubution to deforestation. First off, Ken may be right about cutting live trees, but the issue in cutting mahogony trees is that the "stands" (sometimes three trees constitute a stand) of good mahogony are buried in the forest amonst other vegetation and lumbermen clear out acres of forest just to get to the trees. This doesn't regenerate, and the soil washes into the rivers.

What I did was buy a salvaged board for the solid gunwhales, and then bought veneer for the foredeck. This may sound difficult for some, but veneering is worth the effort - even without a vacuum bag. Veneer is responsible because so little goes a long way - my deck below uses the equivalent of a 3" x 12" x 3/4" piece of solid mahogony
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pdae45092d8a88ff1f404372d54f8819d/fb045753.jpg

Veneering (epoxy) on this scale could easily be done with pre-crowned clamping cauls and a couple dozen Besseys.

What ticks me off is the local restaraunt chain "Max & Ermas" used ALL solid mahogony for the entry doors and trim of the whole place.
Like, who in cleveland is really going to appreciate that nice wood? They stained it dark too, so cherry would have been fine.

[Tom M.]

Hey Ken, that "rotten mush" is one of the building blocks of DIRT. What would you do without soil Ken?

If we are a very small minority of Mahogany users, then who are the big consumers? Are homes built of mahogany in the Philippines? I thought the major use of mahogany was for cabinetry; in boats and in homes and businesses.

[ 10-04-2003, 04:23 AM: Message edited by: Tom M. ]

[Tom M.]

Hey Ken, that "rotten mush" is one of the building blocks of DIRT. What would you do without soil Ken?

If we are a very small minority of Mahogany users, then who are the big consumers? Are homes built of mahogany in the Philippines? I thought the major use of mahogany was for cabinetry; in boats and in homes and businesses.

[ 10-04-2003, 04:23 AM: Message edited by: Tom M. ]

[Tom M.]

Hey Ken, that "rotten mush" is one of the building blocks of DIRT. What would you do without soil Ken?

If we are a very small minority of Mahogany users, then who are the big consumers? Are homes built of mahogany in the Philippines? I thought the major use of mahogany was for cabinetry; in boats and in homes and businesses.

[ 10-04-2003, 04:23 AM: Message edited by: Tom M. ]

[Venchka]

Originally posted by John Blazy:
...What ticks me off is the local restaraunt chain "Max & Ermas" used ALL solid mahogony for the entry doors and trim of the whole place.
Like, who in cleveland is really going to appreciate that nice wood? They stained it dark too, so cherry would have been fine.Damn shame their food doesn't match their taste in wood. Cheery instead? No way. Why waste any good hardwood? Southern Yellow Pine would work just fine.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by John Blazy:
...What ticks me off is the local restaraunt chain "Max & Ermas" used ALL solid mahogony for the entry doors and trim of the whole place.
Like, who in cleveland is really going to appreciate that nice wood? They stained it dark too, so cherry would have been fine.Damn shame their food doesn't match their taste in wood. Cheery instead? No way. Why waste any good hardwood? Southern Yellow Pine would work just fine.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by John Blazy:
...What ticks me off is the local restaraunt chain "Max & Ermas" used ALL solid mahogony for the entry doors and trim of the whole place.
Like, who in cleveland is really going to appreciate that nice wood? They stained it dark too, so cherry would have been fine.Damn shame their food doesn't match their taste in wood. Cheery instead? No way. Why waste any good hardwood? Southern Yellow Pine would work just fine.

[Harry Miller]

I think logging in Brazil presents different issues than logging in North America. Brazil Mahogany (http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006975)

[Harry Miller]

I think logging in Brazil presents different issues than logging in North America. Brazil Mahogany (http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006975)

[Harry Miller]

I think logging in Brazil presents different issues than logging in North America. Brazil Mahogany (http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006975)

[ahp]

Birch is wonderful for furnature and cabinets, but it rots like crazy. Black cherry grows wild all over the place in Massachusetts where we used to live. Does anyone ever take it to the saw mill?

[ahp]

Birch is wonderful for furnature and cabinets, but it rots like crazy. Black cherry grows wild all over the place in Massachusetts where we used to live. Does anyone ever take it to the saw mill?

[ahp]

Birch is wonderful for furnature and cabinets, but it rots like crazy. Black cherry grows wild all over the place in Massachusetts where we used to live. Does anyone ever take it to the saw mill?