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Color variation with Honduran Mahogany

Color variation with Honduran Mahogany  
Lars Stole
 Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany  
Dr. Deb
 Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany  
Lars Stole
 Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany  
Andy Dingley
 Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany  
Patriarch
 Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany  
rcook5 at TAKEOUTmindspring.com
From:Lars Stole
Subject:Color variation with Honduran Mahogany
Date:Sun, 23 Jan 2005 08:35:51 -0600
I purchased some Honduran Mahogany about 6 months ago and constructed
the legs and rails for a coffee table. Recetnly I purchased some more
H. Mahogany to complete the table top. Unfortunately, the colors of
the two wood are distinctly different - the first batch is
significantly darker (and richer looking) than the second. When you
apply tung oil, it is even more dramatic.

So, is this difference in color because ...
(1) I've been ripped off and sold a lesser species like African
"Mahogany" in the second batch,
(2) the first batch oxidized and darkened like Cherry, so I should just
be patient, or
(3) there is much color variation even within H. Mahogany so I should
learn my lesson and buy all of the wood for a project at the same time
from the same source?

Lars
From:Dr. Deb
Subject:Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany
Date:Sun, 23 Jan 2005 09:00:10 -0600
Lars Stole wrote:

> I purchased some Honduran Mahogany about 6 months ago and constructed
> the legs and rails for a coffee table. Recetnly I purchased some more
> H. Mahogany to complete the table top. Unfortunately, the colors of
> the two wood are distinctly different - the first batch is
> significantly darker (and richer looking) than the second. When you
> apply tung oil, it is even more dramatic.
>
> So, is this difference in color because ...
> (1) I've been ripped off and sold a lesser species like African
> "Mahogany" in the second batch,
> (2) the first batch oxidized and darkened like Cherry, so I should just
> be patient, or
> (3) there is much color variation even within H. Mahogany so I should
> learn my lesson and buy all of the wood for a project at the same time
> from the same source?
>
> Lars

Lars, unfortunately, the answer is #3. Not only does the color vary but the
density can vary also. I have picked up two pieces from the same bundle
and had one be almost as light weight as bass wood. On these light weight
pieces, which I think are sapwood, the grain is very hard to sand smooth
and they are good only for interior bracing.

Deb
From:Lars Stole
Subject:Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany
Date:Sun, 23 Jan 2005 10:22:49 -0600
Thanks for the feedback.

Judging from the long off cuts, the lighter colored wood also seems to
be less stable -- noticeable, slight warping only a week after cutting.
This is unfortunately consistent with your theory about it being
sapwood. Very depressing given the cost of the stuff.

Lesson learned.


On 2005-01-23 09:00:10 -0600, "Dr. Deb" said:

> Lars Stole wrote:
>
>> I purchased some Honduran Mahogany about 6 months ago and constructed
>> the legs and rails for a coffee table. Recetnly I purchased some more
>> H. Mahogany to complete the table top. Unfortunately, the colors of
>> the two wood are distinctly different - the first batch is
>> significantly darker (and richer looking) than the second. When you
>> apply tung oil, it is even more dramatic.
>>
>> So, is this difference in color because ...
>> (1) I've been ripped off and sold a lesser species like African
>> "Mahogany" in the second batch,
>> (2) the first batch oxidized and darkened like Cherry, so I should just
>> be patient, or
>> (3) there is much color variation even within H. Mahogany so I should
>> learn my lesson and buy all of the wood for a project at the same time
>> from the same source?
>>
>> Lars
>
> Lars, unfortunately, the answer is #3. Not only does the color vary but the
> density can vary also. I have picked up two pieces from the same bundle
> and had one be almost as light weight as bass wood. On these light weight
> pieces, which I think are sapwood, the grain is very hard to sand smooth
> and they are good only for interior bracing.
> Deb
From:Andy Dingley
Subject:Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany
Date:Sun, 23 Jan 2005 15:18:33 +0000
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 08:35:51 -0600, Lars Stole
wrote:

3, quite possibly 1.

This applies to pretty much all timber. It's always good to have an
adequate supply for a project, ideally from the same flitch.
--
Smert' spamionam
From:Patriarch
Subject:Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany
Date:Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:59:12 -0600
Andy Dingley wrote in
news:g0g7v0ldatq6smsp4s27cmjrfaj3oov6a5@4ax.com:

> On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 08:35:51 -0600, Lars Stole
> wrote:
>
> 3, quite possibly 1.
>
> This applies to pretty much all timber. It's always good to have an
> adequate supply for a project, ideally from the same flitch.

I often buy a couple of extra pieces, when I visit the hardwood dealer.
This reasoning leads to a full lumber rack, with a little bit of many types
of wood. The good news is that I seem to be screwing up less dramatically
than in times past. The bad news is that I may need to have a 'clear out
the racks' Saturday sometime this spring.

Patriarch
From:rcook5 at TAKEOUTmindspring.com
Subject:Re: Color variation with Honduran Mahogany
Date:Sun, 23 Jan 2005 22:57:11 GMT
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 08:35:51 -0600, Lars Stole
wrote:

>I purchased some Honduran Mahogany about 6 months ago and constructed
>the legs and rails for a coffee table. Recetnly I purchased some more
>H. Mahogany to complete the table top. Unfortunately, the colors of
>the two wood are distinctly different - the first batch is
>significantly darker (and richer looking) than the second. When you
>apply tung oil, it is even more dramatic.
>
>So, is this difference in color because ...
>(1) I've been ripped off and sold a lesser species like African
>"Mahogany" in the second batch,
>(2) the first batch oxidized and darkened like Cherry, so I should just
>be patient, or
>(3) there is much color variation even within H. Mahogany so I should
>learn my lesson and buy all of the wood for a project at the same time
>from the same source?
>
>Lars

Mahogany darkens naturally. Depending on the difference I'd suggest
giving it time or just putting the boards for the top out in the sun.
(Which is admittedly easier to do if you're in Phoenix.)

--RC
"Sometimes history doesn't repeat itself. It just yells
'can't you remember anything I've told you?' and lets
fly with a club.
-- John W. Cambell Jr.
   

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