I am planning to build a dining table and chairs. I am presently living overseas and have access to most woods from North America as well as many Asian/African tropical species. I would like to know what people would recommend is far as strength and stability are concerned. At present I am considering the following in no particular order, Walnut, Cherry, Ash, Burmese Teak and Mahogony but am not sold on these if I found that something was better suited. I am making the table quite large 48″x96″ and 2″ thick. The chairs will have to be fairly fleshy to match the style that I have planned. If anyone has any suggestions or advice that they could pass along I would greatly appreciate it. Any on-line resources on this topic would also be very helpful.
Thanks in advance
Replies
All the woods you mentioned will make great furniture. More info would be helpful - is it for indoor or outdoor use? What style are you considering? Does it have to be similar in color or style to other furniture in the same room or house? Do you like dark or light wood?
Thanks 4 the quick reply. Its 4 indoor furniture and the style is very basic with square tapering legs and large highback chairs. I prefer medium colored woods preferably with interesting grains. I am off on a business trip tonight for 4 days so if I don't respond to any replies until I return it does not indicate that I have lost interest.
thanks again
SandraT
I have built dining room sets out of cherry, walnut and oak. While all of these would do well, based on the size and style you're describing, my first choice would be cherry with a second nod going to oak. Walnut seems too dark for something as heavy as you're describing. Oak probably lends itself to this type of furniture but I like to feel of finished cherry for this. A dining room table and chairs get a lot of hand touching in use. The cherry would feel lighter to the touch than oak and make the entire collection seem less imposing, if that makes any sense.
I'm unfamiliar with most exotics so I can't comment on them. Good luck and let's see the piece when it's done.
Kell
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