Mahogany

Forum for people who are new to woodworking. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
sawchain
Silver Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:19 pm
Location: Petersburg, Mi

Mahogany

Post by sawchain »

Just was wondering how hard mahogany wood is to turn on the lathe. Just got some:confused: small pieces for free. Thanks Fred
mbcabinetmaker
Platinum Member
Posts: 1627
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:18 am
Location: Greer SC

Post by mbcabinetmaker »

Sawchain

Mahogany turns great. On of my favorites to work with on the lathe.

Mark
User avatar
RobertTaylor
Platinum Member
Posts: 569
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:28 am
Location: North Canton, Ohio

Post by RobertTaylor »

as mb says it turns great. i've made a few pens from mahogany.
Bob
1954 greenie, 1963 anniversary edition now a mini,
1984 500, 1985 510, 1987 510, pro-planer, bandsaw, dust collector
User avatar
Ed in Tampa
Platinum Member
Posts: 5834
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:45 am
Location: North Tampa Bay area Florida

Post by Ed in Tampa »

There are many different woods called Mahogany.
Some may turn great but others won't.
I believe there is Phillipine Mahogany. A Carribean Mahogany, a South American Mahogany.
I don't know which I have but I do know I can't turn it to save my life. It tears out, splits and the slightest catch will peel it right off a pen tube.
Also I believe some Mahogany has an oil in it like teak and others that makes glueing very difficult.

I like Mahogany furniture but I don't like Mahogany for turning.
Ed in Tampa
Stay out of trouble!
User avatar
rcf
Gold Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:18 pm
Location: Central Florida

How hard is it to turn mahogany?

Post by rcf »

I've made several projects from mahogany, turned pens, and a deskset, also made a stand for an antique urn. I think it's one of the best turning woods I've used, and it machines great too. I've used my woodshaper, planer etc with great success, hope this helps.
"The road between friends is never long"
charlese
Platinum Member
Posts: 7501
Joined: Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:46 pm
Location: Lancaster, CA

Post by charlese »

I thought I had posted here several days ago, but must have just reviewed the post and then left it.:(
To give a quick summary - Those interested in using mahogany should at least read Page 25 of this link. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgt ... 3/ch01.pdf
It is a description of different species of mahogany, in the Wood Handbook of the Forest Products Laboratory - U.S.D.A.

Now all you have to do is be able to tell these species from each other by looking at the wood.

BTW You can also access the Wood Handbook from Nick's "Workshop Companion"
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
scissorbill
Bronze Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 7:47 pm

There are about as many woods called mahogany

Post by scissorbill »

as there are bees in a hive. Well, maybe not that many, but quite a few. As that reference points out there are a number of Southeast dipterocarp species of the genus Shorea that have been called Philippine mahogany or just mahogany for a long time. They are as different in quality from the true mahoganies, (Swietenia, Sp) as night from day. That reference on page 25 gives a lot of useful information, but I might add there is actually a small mahogany growing in Florida, too small for commercial purposes. The mahogany found in the Dominican Republic is much harder and darker than Honduras mahogany.

That reference mentions plantations of Honduras mahogany being established. Unfortunately in the western hemisphere any concentration of species like mahogany or Spanish cedar (Cedrela - sometimes called cigar box cedar) planted close together will be attacked by a shoot moth, so before the tree reaches even 20 feet in height it starts forking, and the trees never really develop good growth. In Fiji where I was on a forestry job for the UN some 40 years back, they were having great success planting Honduras mahogany and got good cabinet wood out of it.

But the so-called Philippine mahogany - forget it.
Post Reply