WOODSENSE SPOTLIGHT ON MAHOGANY By Pete Stephano Woodworking craftsmen the world over regard genuine mahogany as the finest of all furniture woods. It has the qualities to recommend it for pieces of lasting beauty–from incredible working characteristics to durability, stability, and a wonderful luster. Carvers find that it also takes and holds exceptional detail, while turners shape it with ease. What is “genuine” mahogany? To most in the woodworking world, it’s Honduras mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), from Central and South America. Yet there’s also Cuban or Spanish mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) growing in Cuba and the West Indies (where most of it stays). African mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) is a closely related species. All mahoganies share similar characteristics, although craftsmen have traditionally favored Swietenia. Note: Philippine mahogany is not a true mahogany, no matter its name! Mahogany Quick Take History in woodworking In the late 1500s, ships of the Eighteenth-century English Spanish Armada, built of mahogany LOW MEDIUM HIGH cabinetmakers Chippendale, from the Caribbean, caught the COST - expensive Hepplewhite, and Sheraton, created eye and appreciation of English WEIGHT - fairly heavy mahogany furniture of such classic shipbuilders (as well as cannonballs HARDNESS - moderately high style that the wood stayed in favor for from their Royal Navy). STABILITY - high nearly 200 years. However, it Never before had they seen wood DURABILITY - high (indoors) was shipbuilders who first of that size. Large mahogany planks STRENGTH - fairly high appreciated the wood. would enable them to build with TOXICITY - none greater lengths and widths than TOOL TYPE - power tools with steel or those of their customary oak. And carbide this seafaring past isn’t lost today, with many a splendid yacht or COMMON USES - fine furniture, cabinetry, sailing ship boasting mahogany doors, carvings, turnings, boat parts and trim decks and trim. Honduras Mahogany long stock available, particularly from Where it comes from specialty importers of the wood. In the wood trade, Honduras Genuine mahogany sells for nearly mahogany goes by “Tropical $7 per board foot for 4/4 FAS (best American mahogany,” due to quality) stock. Rough-sawn boards its origins in much of Central will cost less. As for figured stock (see America, South America, and southern “It’s a fact that…”), count on a much Mexico. The mahogany first discovered higher price tag, with some sellers by the Spanish for their ships was charging nearly $1 per lineal inch! Cuban mahogany, now no longer African mahogany sells for nearly commercially available. Swietenia 50% less. mahogany also has been widely Veneer comes in a wide range of grown for lumber on plantations figure, but is costly at up to $25 per throughout its natural range as well square foot. Unfortunately, genuine African Mahogany as in the South Pacific. mahogany isn’t normally available in plywood form. What you’ll pay Large trees produce large boards, How to select the best stock and mahogany grows to immense Due to mahogany’s various origins size. You’ll find thick, wide, and and growing conditions, its 74 WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE A UG /S EPT 2 0 0 8 though, are some observations. It’s a fact that… • Ripping and routing. Mahogany may be the world’s showiest Before you begin cutting or wood. Its figure descriptions include (but machining mahogany, aren’t limited to) beeswing, blister, crotch, don a respirator. fiddleback, mottle, plum pudding, quilt, The wood’s rope, and stripe (plain to broken, narrow to wide). fine dust hangs in the English history records mahogany’s first air an unusually use for tables in 1715. The great width of its planks permitted much larger tops with long time. far less joinery. Crotch Mahogany You’ll discover that mahogany cuts well with either steel or carbide-tipped blades, Motorized cutting bits can get too but a misaligned fence, dull blade, or aggressive, so go lightly. other table saw setup issues increase • Assembling. the chance of burning. Crosscutting Mahogany lacks the natural oils requires a backing board to avoid characteristic of many tropical heartwood color ranges considerably. tear-out, as do exit cuts with a router woods, so all woodworking It’ll be yellowish, reddish, pink, or (use only sharp bits). adhesives work well. For outdoor salmon colored when freshly cut, • Jointing and planing. projects, use a waterproof glue. although all shades normally darken The wood’s hardness and mostly Mahogany’s fine to medium texture to a deep reddish brown with age. But straight, open grain means little tear- doesn’t require predrilling for don’t take chances: Try to pick boards out. With figured mahogany (as with screws, but it’s a good practice when of uniform color. all figured stock), it should be fed creating fine furniture. Mahogany has straight, semi- slowly into the planer at a slight angle Sanding becomes a satisfying open grain that’s sometimes with the final 1/32" removed by a drum process with mahogany as it doesn’t interlocked. Flatsawn, the wood can sander if you have one. easily scratch or burnish as do harder display attractive, wavy horizontal • Carving. woods. For the finest touch, though, bands similar to the appearance of Power carvers take caution: first fill its open grain. quartersawn oak. Depending on your project, you may want to avoid wavy boards or only add them as Mahogany Finishing Secrets highlights. Avoid any boards with dark-colored gum or white deposits On a flat surface like tabletops, fill medium brown dye stain (the wood in the grain. mahogany’s grain with several coats of has enough red color). Let dry, then finish, sanding between applications sand with 320-grit. Remove dust and (hard-curing shellac, lacquer, varnish, apply six or more coats of thinned Working mahogany or water-base work best) or use a lacquer. Dry for two or more weeks, in the shop paste-wood filler. The latter goes much then finally sand with 600-grit wet/dry Not quite as hard as black cherry faster, and the filler can be toned to paper using a mineral spirits lubricant. and lighter than red oak, mahogany give the wood a rich color. Finally, rub the surface along the grain To get an Old-World mahogany with #0000 steel wool moistened with has been fondly called “the wood by look, first sand to 220-grit (after filling mild soap and water. Rinse with clean which all other woods is measured,” the grain if you choose to), then apply water and polish with a soft cloth referring to its workability. Here, Pomelle African Mahogany Ropey African Mahogany Curley African Mahogany Curley Honduran Mahogany FREE YEAR! 2 YEARS for $29.99! go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE -or- Complete the form below and mail in an envelope addressed to: WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE PO BOX 7020 PARKERSBURG WV 26102-9916 □ Payment Enclosed □ Bill Me Name Address City State Zip Country E-mail Best-ever DECORATIVE FINISHES Build Better Send in now to get LUMBER RACK Done Right with a CUT LIST Projects, Techniques and Products Build this 2 Years for $29.99! classic SPICE BOX And learn how to… I Dovetail a case I Divide a cabinet into compartments or go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE I Create a cornice By providing my e-mail address, I am indicating I’d like to receive information about my subscription and other offers from Woodcraft Magazine via e-mail. Outside of the U.S and Canada add $30 for postage. Plus… I 4 more projects Foreign orders must be prepaid. Payment in U.S. Funds only. I Famous furniture.