Hello Matt:
I like to use quartersawn hondorous mahogany for drawer sides and backs because of it’s stability and it gives a nice contrast to dark fronts. It is getting hard to find though. Can you tell me what a good substitute there is for the hondo that is readily available?
Thanks.
Dovetailor
Replies
Here in the North East I'm starting to see a lot of something called "African Mahogany" (or Khaya) at the lumber yard. It has some of the same working properties as the authentic stuff, but its color is more orangish-red. I've been using it mainly because the price is right and it's easy to find. According to what I've read, it is a member of the mahogany family. I made this chair with it.
There's also a wood called sapele that is often used as a substitute, though I don't have too much experience with it. Finally, Lauan is considered an alternative, but I haven't seen much of it available in rough lumber. More often, it's used for plywood.
Take a look at this profile on Mahogany by Jon Arno. He offers more information on some of these look-alike species.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
Thanks for the info Matt. I've looked at the species you mentioned but they don't measure up to the specs of the Hondo. Maybe it doesn't matter that much as long as you use quartersawn lumber and considering that most drawers are only a few inches deep.
Dovetailor
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