Replies

1. 
   IanDG | Aug 19, 2004 04:50pm | #1

   Lyptus is a plantation-grown hybrid of Eucaluptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Urophylla

   Euc. Grandis' common name is Rose Gum and the Lyptus has the same pink color. It is sold as flooring timber so hardness shouldn't be a problem and it's more stable than maple.

   I can't tell you about staining -- most eucalypts I've worked with behave like oak in this respect, especially in the presence of water and iron.

   IanDG

2. 
   Michmesquite | Aug 19, 2004 07:16pm | #2

   I use Lyptus as my primary wood. I really like it for its finished quality and ease of work.

   But - it would be way down on my list of materials for a butcher block. I would look elsewhere.

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

1. 
   j9boston | Aug 20, 2004 12:00am | #3

   Why wouldn't you use this for butcher block?

1. 
   Michmesquite | Aug 20, 2004 12:21am | #7

   See Jon's good post._________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Aug 20, 2004 12:06am | #4

   Michael -- Where do you buy your lyptus?  I haven't noticed it in the SF-area dealers I frequent.

   Jamie Buxton

1. 
   Michmesquite | Aug 20, 2004 12:19am | #6

   Higgins Lumber in Livermore. Last time I bought it @ $3.25 <100 BF.

   Goto http://www.higlum.com (website seems to be down at the moment)_________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

3. 
   jonsherryl | Aug 20, 2004 12:17am | #5

   Of the two; maple or lyptus, maple would be functionally superior to lyptus in that it is more light reflective (easier to work on when handling sharp knives) and it is a much finer textured wood (easier to keep clean). While I've seen no technical reports on the topic of lytus' toxicity, maple is known to be one of the least toxic woods in the world. In fact, it is literally edible and historically (in times of famine) maple saw dust has been used as a meat extender.

   The genus Eucalytus, from which the parents of the lyptus hybrid come, is known for its aromatic extractives (sometimes used in cough medicines) and thus it poses a greater risk of tainting the flavor of foods. This isn't all that critical in a cutting board, but it would be for cooking utensils or food storage containers.

   Also, since your project is a restoration, maple is more in keeping with the tradition of the period.