Tips
for Working
with
Mahogany
The Beauty
of Mahogany
Introduction:
Mahogany is
known by
woodworkers
as one of
the most
beautiful
species of
wood. You
don't need
to be an
expert
woodworker
to
appreciate
its beauty
because
even the
plainest
boards look
stunning
with their
deep and
coppery-red
shade.
Since the
1500s,
people have
found that
mahogany
wood has a
lot of
qualities
which are
more than
suitable
for fine
furniture
making. If
you are a
woodworker
working
with
mahogany,
you should
know the
following
characteristics
of
mahogany.
Types of
mahogany:
There are
four Latin
American
species of
mahogany
which fall
under the
genus
Swietenia.
There is
the big
leaf
mahogany,
Caribbean
mahogany,
Venezuelan
mahogany
and the
Honduran
Mahogany.
Most expert
woodworkers
will
recommend
the big
leaf
because it
is known as
the "real"
mahogany.
Mahogany is
also known
by the
names caoba
or acajou
and has a
higher
value for
being a
prized type
of wood.
Benefits of
using
mahogany:
Mahogany is
not just
beautiful,
but it is
easy to
work with.
Most
woodworkers
say that
mahogany is
easy to
handle
whether
you're
using hand
or power
tools.
Unlike some
types of
hardwoods,
mahogany
easily
takes glue,
screws, and
nails. When
it comes to
stains,
mahogany
stains well
and will
give a
beautiful
high-gloss
finish.
Mahogany
heartwood
is
impressively
strong and
durable. It
is used for
veneers,
boat decks,
and just
about
anything.
Buying
mahogany:
When buying
your
lumber,
check the
wood's
grade
rating from
the
National
Hardwood
Lumber
Association
and
definitely
ask for
Selects,
FAS, or FAS
1-face
grades
because
these are
the best
indicators
of quality
for
hardwoods.
Proper
sanding and
finishing
mahogany:
When
finishing
mahogany,
gradual
sanding is
key to a
great
finish.
Start with
a 120-grid.
If you'll
use a wood
filler,
always read
the
instructions
when mixing
with a
paint
thinner.
Allow
fillers to
dry
completely
for at
least 24
hours
before
sanding.
After
sanding,
use a
staining
brush or
ordinary
cotton
cloth to
apply the
stain. Wipe
off the
excess
stain. Let
thoroughly
dry and
apply a
protective
coat such
as Tung
oil,
shellac, or
polyurethane.
See
related
articles:
Where Softwood
Lumber Comes From
Wicker Furniture Repair
Wood
Staining with Aniline Dye Stain
Woodshop Dust Collector
Wood Shop Safety Rules
Woodworking Safety Tips for Beginning Woodworkers
Woodworking Shop Tools
Working with Softwoods