Replies

1. 
   philip | Feb 01, 2007 10:22am | #1

   Gordon, yes it does darken -thankfully it does not stay that fresh pink colour.Ofcourse you will make sure there is no sap wood which definitely stays looking horrible.
   See some pics of the Khaya that I am used to using-merely finished with shellac and polished with wax over the years. Excuse the feathers-one cat has just slaughtered a bird.

   Philip Marcou

   
1. 
   fussy | Feb 01, 2007 10:31am | #3

   Hey Phillip,

   NICE work.  BAD cat.  I like your lathe work (read envy--I make lovely toothpicks.  That's usually all that's left when I'm done.  What are you doing up this late?

   Steve

1. 
   philip | Feb 01, 2007 10:39am | #4

   Steve-it New Zealand-only 9.30pm , Feb 1st....
   Cats? They are clever-they realised at an early age that birds here are unworldly so they just lie on their backs and Thrushes fly into their mouths...They only allow this now and again, to keep in practice.Philip Marcou

1. 
   fussy | Feb 01, 2007 11:11am | #5

   Philip,

   Of all the places to live, you managed one of my fantasy destinations.  My goal, when woodworking makes me rich, is to spend  time exploring your lovely country.  Of course it's pretty nice here in Kentucky, just different.  Keep up the good work.  Gives me hope that I can do it too.

   Steve

2. 
   gordon | Feb 02, 2007 08:00pm | #6

   Thanks, that's what I needed to know. that pink color was scaring me!

   Gordon

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Feb 03, 2007 06:20pm | #9

   I've made only two items of khaya. The first -- a small turning -- has actually grown lighter in color. It is not pink at all. It is red-brown with a range of tones. The other item has just been completed. It has a wide range of tones but no pinks. Both are finished with clear gloss Deft. I have some cherry and walnut which has turned much lighter, some with exposure to light, some in dark areas. Please let us know what happens to your khaya.Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   philip | Feb 04, 2007 03:10am | #10

   Hoppy, has that turning had some direct sunlight on it? See that lavatory seat lid-made from Khaya about ten years ago. In another house, when the lid was up it would be exposed to direct sun light at the top end- it became lighter. That Khaya was pinkish when fresh . Finished with catalysed polurethane (polylac).If I had finished that with shellac and wax like the tripod table it would be a fair bit darker.Philip Marcou

   
1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Feb 04, 2007 03:21am | #11

   Phil: Thanxx!! for the picture. It prompts me to be careful where I put things made of the African mahoganies. My piece has not changed that much and has not been in direct sunlight. The wood is actually very beautiful. I like it better than some Honduras that I have. The gloss may contribute to its appearance more than I think. I just may do some refinishing! Enjoy!Cadiddlehopper

3. 
   Willie | Feb 02, 2007 08:11pm | #7

   Philip,

   Nice turning and love the color.

   Your post came a few weeks late, as I have a spare vacuum cleaner which could have made a nice Christmas gift.

   Willie

   PS. How far are you from American Samoa, looks like work may pull me in that direction?

1. 
   philip | Feb 03, 2007 01:03pm | #8

   Thanks Willie- these cats are not good at house work.
   American Samoa : you might as well drop in for a spot of tea, since you will be in the general area-it is about half way between Hawai and new Zealand....What sort of work brings you to the place? Fishing?Philip Marcou

1. 
   Willie | Feb 12, 2007 12:15am | #12

   You guessed right, considering an offer to run one of the canneries over there.

   Won't be able to do any woodwork over there I guess, as an Expat, living in a company house. Guess it depends on how much vacation I can negotiate.

   How many kilometers from NZ?

2. 
   fussy | Feb 01, 2007 10:25am | #2

   Gordon,

   Khaya ivorensis covers all African mahogany (about 12 different names).  It turns a dark red, usually with a purplish cast on exposure.  The honey-amber color found in South American mahoganies is very rare.

   Hope that helps.  Try http://www.woodfinder.com and click on wood library.  Lots of information there.  Hope this helps.

   Luck,

   Steve