Best Wood To make Outdoor/Patio furniture

umm.. Texas… Mesquite?

What are your criteria? Ease of working? economy? resistance to
weather a-la teak?

Redwood is a durable, resistant wood that is easy to work with. Comes in three (3) principal grades, con-common, con-heart, and clear heart. Stay away from con-common because the redwood you buy today is from second growth and it will have a lot of sap wood which is neither good looking or decay resistant. You may wish to give cedar a look also.

-- Greg, No. Cal.

Check for a local sawmill. Mesquite or cedar would be best.

-- Terri, Rocky Mountain High Colorado!

Thanks for the replies guys. Apologies for not being more descriptive with my requirements. Here’s another shot:
If I were to rank them it this is how it would look like:
1. Resistance to weather
2. Ease of Working
3. Cost
4. Sourcing.
Thanks

-- Measure Twice, Cut Once

1. teak is hard wearing outdoors. It’s a tough, fibrous wood, hard on tools.
2. cedar is soft and easy to work with.
3. pine is cheapest
4. local is cheapest

Basically either you’re going to go cheap and go with a softwood, or
go for durability and spend for quality material. Clear heart redwood is
pretty weather resistant and durable, but it’s not a cheap grade of
softwood.

With that list I’d go for some westeren red cedar. Redwood would be a second choice based on your list above. greg48 makes a good point about the redwood.

-- Darrell, making more sawdust than I know what to do with

If you have Cyprus in your area it is easy to work and durable when offered some protection. White oak is a preferred wood for outdoor projects but is a hardwood and harder to work. Nothing modern tools can’t overcome. Good luck with it and be sure to post your results.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

another vote for cypress

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

Teak – used a lot in maritime applications – withstands the elements extremely well. Full of silica – dulls blades and bits RAPIDLY. EXPENSIVE
Mahogany - used a lot in maritime applications – withstands the elements extremely well. EXPENSIVE
White oak – USS Constitution is made from this wood. That should say it all
Redwood – Great outdoor wood. Rare and getting rarer. Expensive.
Western red cedar – Great outdoor wood. Plentiful. About $1.89/bf wholesale here in WA. $.90 direct from the mill.

-- Don, Diamond Lake Custom Woodworks - http://www.dlwoodworks.com - "If you make something idiot proof, all they do is make a better idiot"

why not try iroko…hardwearing …weathers to a beautiful silver grey or if using the right oils it can also retain it’s colours…not as expensive as teak and also a sustainable resource…is still tough on gear tho

-- just get stuck in and have a go!!!