Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Oct 23, 2002 04:28pm | #1

   Rick, style considerations may be the overriding factor here and that's a subjective choice. Functionally though, ebony is probably your best bet. It is a much denser wood than genuine mahogany and less likely to fail in a high stress application like this. Personally, since you appear to be emphasizing the joinery of the piece by using ebony plugs, it seems logical that you would want to carry this theme throughout by also emphasizing the pins...but again, style considerations fall into the realm of art...and in this case, you're the "artist."

1. 
   RickL750 | Oct 24, 2002 04:11pm | #2

   Hi Jon,

   Thanks for your input, but my concern was not just style but more a structural one, not having any experience with either of these species. As you know we always have to be concern about using wood combinations because of movement, humidity, stress, etc. I was thinking of using ebony pins instead of mahogany so that I wouldn’t have to cover them up with ebony plugs in order to achieve the style I’m after and wanted to find out if this would be acceptable.

    Thanks.

1. 
   jonsherryl | Oct 24, 2002 04:50pm | #3

   Rick, both of these woods have relatively low T/R ratios and don't experience much in-use distortion. Genuine mahogany's average volumetric shrinkage is lower than ebony's...So, if you want to be extra cautious, it would help if the ebony had a slightly lower MC when the pins are fitted...but I seriously doubt if the differential in shrinkage between these species would pose a problem. To some degree, you'd run a similar risk with the plugs anyway, unless you were extremely careful about grain direction.

1. 
   RickL750 | Oct 29, 2002 02:49pm | #4

   Jon Thank you for your assistance.

   Rick

1. 
   Elcoholic | Oct 29, 2002 11:05pm | #5

   RickL,

   To be historically accurate I think you'll find ebony was used for most of the splines and pins in G&G furniture.  Regarding the strength of the pins I don't think it matters much.  The glued surfaces in the M&T or splined joints really carry the load.  The pins aren't going to see much load unless the glue fails or you're draw boring.  Either wood has sufficient shear strength for the pins.  Given the incredibly high cost of Ebony I'd consider using Wenge for square pins.  Where I can use round pins I use walnut dowels to nice effect.  I usually prefinish chairs so I leave the pins a couple of thousandths proud and dap them with dark wax.  On either wenge or walnut the dark wax in the end grain makes them pretty much black like ebony.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   RickL750 | Oct 30, 2002 02:47pm | #6

    John,

   I appreciate your input I think I’ll go with your suggestion. I should be ready to start cutting next week or so. I need to open the heating ducts to my shop first we seem to be getting an early start on winter here in the Northeast, just got our first snowfall and temperatures are in the forties. So you’re in Southern California must be nice.

   Thanks again for your assistance.

    RickL 

    

3. 
   Elcoholic | Oct 30, 2002 05:53pm | #7

   Good luck and enjoy.  Besure to post some progress pictures.  Not a lot of folks doing G&G reproductions - lack of published plans probably the culprit.  G&G is my personal favorite.  I wanted to do my dining room after the Blacker House but the wife's not into G&G.  Too oriental for her taste.  I have a shot at a commission for some G&G dining chairs should my buddy land a whole G&G house next year.  I'd love to get a crack at doing some of the lighting fixtures as well.

   "So you’re in Southern California must be nice."  It's OK but way too crowded, I'm looking forward to moving to the central coast in a few years.  One good thing is that I'm close to Pasadena which is G&G heaven.  There's three big A&C/Bungalow weekends in CA every year.  SFO, San Diego & Pasadena.  The Pasadena weekend is great and worth the trip if you get a chance.  A big A&C show at the Pasadena Civic, walking tours through neighborhoods, and tours through some of the houses.  Most notably the Blacker.  Of course the Gamble is open all year and they have a website.  Check out American Bungalow mag. for schedules and all things bungalow.  It's a quarterly and hard to find but worth it.  They probably have a website too.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

   Edited 10/30/2002 10:56:52 AM ET by ELCOHOLIC

4. 
   RickL750 | Nov 01, 2002 05:04pm | #8

   John,

   Thanks again for your input and I’ll be sure to post some pictures as I get closer to completion.

   By the way I hope you get the work from your buddy, that would be a nice project specially the lighting, that’s something I would love to try someday.

   I found this furniture maker on the internet and though it might be interested, you might have herd of him Thomas Stangeland his out of Seattle, he has some very nice pieces and several links to other arts and craft resources. I’ve added a link to his website at the bottom, if your interested.

   Regards,

   RickL

   http://www.artistcraftsman.net/enter.html

   Edited 11/1/2002 12:19:11 PM ET by RickL

5. 
   Elcoholic | Nov 06, 2002 07:20pm | #9

   Yes, I've seen him and his work at the Pasadena show.  Very nice.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne