Project Information
I love mahogany. I love the color, the grain, the way it takes a finish… it is good stuff! Unfortunately I don't make many boxes out of mahogany for two reasons. One, I don't have a good source, and two, it is expensive.
That's why I recruited mahogany's cousin for this project. This is Sapele. Sapele is a reddish-brown wood that in many ways is very similar to Mahogany. A remarkable feature of sapele is that the grain is interlocked and changes direction in frequent, irregular intervals. Before WWI the principal demand for this wood came from Germany where it was used for decorative cabinet work. Interestingly enough, sapele was found in the propeller-blades of German Zeppelins. Sapele is also one of Europe's most desired woods in manufacturing doors, windows and hardwood flooring. It has a wide variety of applications and is very popular as a decorative surface veneer for high-grade furniture such as book cases and cabinets. It is a great alternative to genuine Mahogany. (That's from the description on East Teak's website.)
Check out the grain up close:
This box is about 11 " x 7×5 high. It was finished with 1 coat of tung oil and 6 coats of wipe on poly. Then a coat of Johnson's paste wax. A lot of finish work, but my wife does it.
It is a sweet wood. I found this from a local lumberyard in a pile of "shorts" for $2 a board ft. This is a simple design, with a curly maple top and maple splines. It came out very well. I hope you like it, and when you want a classy, upscale look, don't be a wood snob… give the lesser known and less expensive cousin a chance
I've been pretty busy in the shop as you can see, but I love to read your comments! They are always appreciated!
That's why I recruited mahogany's cousin for this project. This is Sapele. Sapele is a reddish-brown wood that in many ways is very similar to Mahogany. A remarkable feature of sapele is that the grain is interlocked and changes direction in frequent, irregular intervals. Before WWI the principal demand for this wood came from Germany where it was used for decorative cabinet work. Interestingly enough, sapele was found in the propeller-blades of German Zeppelins. Sapele is also one of Europe's most desired woods in manufacturing doors, windows and hardwood flooring. It has a wide variety of applications and is very popular as a decorative surface veneer for high-grade furniture such as book cases and cabinets. It is a great alternative to genuine Mahogany. (That's from the description on East Teak's website.)
Check out the grain up close:
This box is about 11 " x 7×5 high. It was finished with 1 coat of tung oil and 6 coats of wipe on poly. Then a coat of Johnson's paste wax. A lot of finish work, but my wife does it.
It is a sweet wood. I found this from a local lumberyard in a pile of "shorts" for $2 a board ft. This is a simple design, with a curly maple top and maple splines. It came out very well. I hope you like it, and when you want a classy, upscale look, don't be a wood snob… give the lesser known and less expensive cousin a chance
I've been pretty busy in the shop as you can see, but I love to read your comments! They are always appreciated!