Replies

1. 
   killenwood | Jun 12, 2006 05:21am | #1

   In N. CA I would not think there is any question..... redwood. And I would get reclaimed old growth redwood. There are a couple small sawmills in upper Northern CA that specialize on supply of reclaimed old growth.

   I live in Bay Area and have built all my outdoor furniture in redwood. I oil every other year and have had great results for more than 20 years.

   I built one garden bench (reproduction Williamsburg style) out of genuine mahogany. This has also weathered well and looks great with oil finish.

   Tim

1. 
   dkrech | Jun 12, 2006 06:00am | #2

   What type of oil do you use? Also, can you comment on durability between redwood and mahogany. Finally. what are the sources for old growth redwood? I live in Walnut Creek.

   Thanks!

   Dale

1. 
   killenwood | Jun 13, 2006 06:49pm | #4

   Dale, I like to finish my redwood furniture with Starbrite, Premium Golden Teak Oil. I find this at Oakland, Alameda, or Berkeley boat shops. It is quite expensive, not sure it is worth the money, but I'm reluctant to change.

   I am not sure of the differences in quality of mahogany vs. redwood application in exterior use. Mahogany would be more expensive, and is more typically used for high end indoor furniture. However, it has been used for outdoor and boat applications.

   I bought old growth redwood from Mendocino Specialty Lumber Company in Arcata, CA.

   I am in Orinda, if you would like to stop by and see old redwood and mahogany outdoor furniture please call at 925 262 3494.

   Tim

1. 
   AntzyClancy | Jun 13, 2006 07:05pm | #5

   Tim,I also live in the Bay Area, and am having trouble locating a source of rough lumber.  I have found MacBeath in Berkeley, but their prices are a bit high.  Do you know of better sources?Thanks,Todd

1. 
   killenwood | Jun 14, 2006 01:10am | #6

   I have not found rough lumber at MacBeath in Berkeley - they seem to only carry surfaced lumber. When I am looking for good rough hardwoods, I go to MacBeath in SF. There I can pick out the boards I want and I find good quality. It is expensive, but I have not found a better and cheaper source.

   For my rough pine, I go to Van Arsdale Harris in South SF. Again expensive.

   Tim

2. 
   sixty | Jun 27, 2006 03:22am | #7

    

   Why spend a fortune on exotic woods. Iwould simply use cyprus.

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 27, 2006 09:18pm | #9

   >> Iwould simply use cyprus

   The population of Cyprus might be upset with using their island for outdoor funiture.  I think they would suggest that Cypress would work better.  Howie.........

4. 
   John_D | Jun 27, 2006 09:38pm | #10

   Hahah, I was going to suggest using Formosa instead.  Heh.My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 12, 2006 05:00pm | #3

   For starters, Google on redwood salvage you'll see quite a few businesses listed.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

3. 
   9619 | Jun 27, 2006 06:34pm | #8

   dkrech,
   You got very useful info from everyone else. Let me give you an "out of the box", sacrilegious thought. "Thoughts" are nice. They don't weigh much, and you can get rid of them easily. I just made a couple of outdoor benches. For the tops, I bought two boards of that new man-made stuff that they use to make decks. I believe the brand name was Trex. It is about half wood-fiber and half plastic fiber. One side is moulded to look like it has a wood grain. The stuff is strong and it will last forever, and it never needs any finish or care. On the down side, it doesn't have the look of teak or redwood. If you are making heirloom furniture to be handed down through the generations, then a fine wood would be the only choice. But if you are just making some benches or a table for the deck out back, then this stuff might be just fine. I am not recommending that you use this stuff. I am merely pointing out that there is an interesting alternative that would be useful under some instances.

   Now I will don a suit of medieval armor and brace myself for the slings and arrows of the traditional woodworkers who feel that I have blasphemed. After all, Norm would never use that stuff in real furniture. But on the other hand, having furniture built with Trex might have some interesting effects. If other woodworkers come to visit your place, and you videotape their reactions, you might get some footage that could be a winner on Worlds Funniest Videos.

   Please post a photo of your furniture when you finish it.
   Enjoy.
   96

   PS - "It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order..." (Machiavelli, 1519)