Help me get smart about mahogany (again)
I haven’t made anything of mahogany in a while, and I was in for a surprise during my last visit to the lumber yard.
Back in the day (my day) when I went to the lumber yard, there were only a few choices when it came to mahogany. There was Phillipine mahogany which I know wasn’t mahogany at all; genuine mahogany (which as I recall was Brazilian) and African mahogany which was a deep brown color.
Now, There’s still one called “genuine”, but it looks more like Phillipine to me. I see African which is now lighter and with dark, almost black flecks. The Brazilian looks more like the stuff I used before, but the color seems inconsistent board to board.
If that weren’t enough, enter Santos, Sapele and others to the picture.
Can someone give me a refresher course that will help me sort this out?
Are there other choices I should consider when I want to get that deep brown color with shimmering figure without any stain?
Replies
Quickstep,
Google is your friend:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/mahogany,%20genuine.htm
http://www.exotichardwoods-southamerica.com/mahoganygenuine.htm
http://www.alliedlutherie.com/mahoganies.htm
Rich
Edited 5/26/2008 9:47 am ET by Rich14
Rich, Thanks for the sites. I had found a variety of info online, but I trust you guys a lot more.
Steve, Thanks for the refresher course.
I have 5 cabinets to make and I'd like for them to be similar in color.
There is a Cuban tree named "majagua"--pronounced mahagua. Sounds much like mahogony. Apparently, however, it is not mahogony. Can anyone clarify?Thanks.
According to various online sources, it is Hibiscus elatus. And so related to hibiscus, okra, etc. The most closely related temperate-zone hardwood is probably basswood.
-Steve
Hi,
FWIW, I've used Lyptus as a mahogany alternative, which is a plantation tree and supposedly very fast growing and sustainable. Its not as nice as the Hundran mahogany but machines well and is ecologically sound.
-wes
The name "mahogany" was originally used to describe the wood from Swietenia mahogani, native to the Caribbean and southern Florida, and nowadays usually known as Cuban mahogany or West Indian mahogany. It has been known as "genuine" mahogany for that reason.
Now that Swietenia mahogani is commercially extinct in the wild (you can get plantation-grown wood, however), the two other species in the genus, most notably Swietenia macrophylla (Honduras mahogany) have come to be called "genuine" mahogany.
All three species of Swietenia are CITES II-listed, and commercial trade is restricted.
Swietenia is in the family Melicaceae. There are several genera in the family, but two of them are commercially important as sources of timber: The genus Khaya contains several species, all known as African mahogany. Khaya ivorensis is the most commonly harvested species, but the different species are usually not differentiated in the marketplace, which is part of the reason that African mahogany is so variable. The genus Entandrophragma contains several species as well, including those sold as sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) and utile (Entandrophragma sipo).
Other genera in the family of some importance are Toona and Cedrela. Some members of Toona are called mahogany, including Toona kalantas, which is sometimes called Philippine mahogany (but see below). Toona is not currently imported as lumber to the US, as far as I know. Cedrela includes Cedrela odorata (Spanish cedar), which, like Swietenia, grows in the New World tropics.
Anything else called "mahogany" isn't in Melicaceae and can't even remotely claim any rights to the name. In particular, most wood sold in the US as "Philippine mahogany" is in the genus Shorea (family Dipterocarpaceae)--this wood is also called lauan or meranti. Santos mahogany is Myroxylon balsamum (family Fabaceae, same as rosewoods and many other timber trees, as well as peas and beans).
Im ny experience (which is far from extensive), Honduras mahogany and sapele are the most consistent in terms of color and workability from board to board. I've never used utile or Santos mahogany.
-Steve
I have used Santos on occasion.. GREAT WOOD!
Be aware,,, I take wood as it IS.. not what I THINK It should be..
Try some Santos Mahogany on a small project. It is very hard and it is a beautiful wood.
Bonka,
Santos Mahogany, or Brazilian Cherry is used mostly for flooring and you're right, it is very hard; ~ 2,000 on the Janka hardness scale.
Here is some interesting info. regarding glueups: http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Glue_Bond_Failure_in_Mahogany.html
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
The problems with glue up on santos are daunting. Has antone found a relaible method?
Quickstep,
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Glue_Bond_Failure_in_Mahogany.html
They talk a lot about the surface prep (to be glued). Sounds like it needs to be fresh and make sure it isn't burnished in any way.
Santos isn't really mahogany and is often referred to as Brazilian Cherry but it is very dense and hard, ~2,000 janka hardness scale.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
The problems with glue up on santos are daunting
I use that wood sometimes .. Mostly made for others.. Over a long period of time..
NOBODY has called me and said they have a bunch of sticks on the living room floor!
Santos Mahogany
I agree.. I can get it at my hardwood supplier but is limited compared to the other wood they have.. Very nice wood and what the supplier called Santos was very tight grained. As far as Mahogany goes.. The 'sticks' look very different in Color or is it Colour? But seem to match well with a bit of Oil! NICE wood. AS in VERY nice wood!
I would use it more often, but as I stated, somewhat limited from my supplier unless I want to purchase the entire tree!
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