Hello All!
Just a quick question to people who have worked with more species of wood than I have. I am going to attempt to make a chaise lounge chair for outdoor use. My problem is that Cedar is not too easy to come by. The only cedar I can get is deck planking from the lumber yard. Other than that I have a lot of good Big leaf maple laying around. The cedar planking is not too clear and features lots of knots and other fun disfigurements.
Would it be possible to use maple and either treat it or finish it to allow it to last rainy days? Or should I bite the bullet and use and cut down cedar planking? Thanks for the help!
-John
Replies
John, I'd advise against the maple. I once built a little maple patio table thinking that if I kept it well painted, it'd last. It was amazing how quickly that thing rotted. Any moisture makes maple turn black pretty quickly and I don't know of a protective finish that would hold up. Cypress might be an alternative to cedar.
If you want to try some different woods, try Woodfinder.com. You type in your zip code and it will give you the nearest dealers that carry the wood you want to purchase. Consider trying purpleheart for an outdoor wood. It is used for building trestles, bridges, and even acid vats according to what I have read. If you want to have wheels on your chaise, turn them out of purpleheart. Woodcraft usually has some in stock at a reasonable price. It is heavy, hard, and good looking. I think it is stronger than the cedars and cypress. Ask Jon Arno if you want more info.
" at a reasonable price.."...????
you gotta be kidding..
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
As heavy as purpleheart is, I assumed the shipping would increase the price to the amount they charged. Also, I am not always right. Just ask my wife. The best deal I got was from a guy that imported a lot of it and sold it for $1.50 a BF when he went out of business. I bought 100BF and put it in the loft of my shop for future use.
John
White Oak is pretty decay resistance and is good for out door projects, should be a little less spendy than purplehart.
Scott T.
Try redwood, it has been used for decades for outdoor furniture in California. But then that is where its grown.
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