Mahogany

[Docupton]

I have been given a beautiful piece of Mahogany 21" x 12" x 1.5" and now I am stumped as to what to do with it. As it is its a gorgeous if large bread board, which would be a waste, so I am open to suggestions. It has a lovely grain and is already sanded, what do you reckon...

[WayneMahler]

If you have resaw capabilities then possibly a box of sorts. Or even a bowl. With such a great gift I can understand the concern and desires. Best of luck and keep us posted as to your choice.

[Scrappile]

I was given some mahogany once and I used it to build a model of an Auburn Speedster.  I love working with mahogany.

[Ron Johnson]

I understand where your at Doc. I have a few beautiful exotic pieces I have as well which I'm holding for that special project. Like Wayne suggests, a box of sorts or a bowl. Maybe a jewery box for that special someone or a carved piece. I try to make full use from any beautiful woods so there's no waste, including the sawdust ... Just call me cheap ... Lol

Edited March 4, 2016 by Ron Johnson

[Jim McDonald]

I have always said that the pattern WILL come to wood.  Forcing a pattern will result in something you will always doubt.

[Docupton]

I dont like waste either Ron, if I can use off cuts I will if I cant i will save them till I can.

[Docupton]

Your right Jim, I can stare at it all day and draw a blank but when thinking of something else the idea will come.

[Docupton]

I like the idea of a box Wayne

[Docupton]

Not done a lot with Mahogany yet Scrappile, looking forward to it.

[Fish]

You sound like yiu have a perfect piece to make a band saw box if you have one. You can do many different scroll saw boxes too. That's some beautiful wood whatever you do with it will come out great.

[Stormrider54]

I made two desk name plates with the person's name with their job title underneath. I searched and found a font that looked nice and was "easy" to cut the used mahogany for the base and nameplate. Everyone that saw it like it. I did use boiled linseed oil on wood and coated with clear polyurethane when finished. It was simple yet looked great. I would post a picture but I no longer have them. I used 1/2" mahogany and a dust mask. 

 

My original piece was a 1/2" X 8" x 8' I bought from a lumber company. It was originally 3/4" but they cut it so I would have two pieces. one approx 1/4" thick and one 1/2" thick. Cost was $33.00, I thought that was a reasonable price and I still have plenty for other projects.

Edited March 4, 2016 by Stormrider54

[Docupton]

Never tried a bandsaw box Fish,I will have to look in to it.

Edited March 4, 2016 by Docupton

[Docupton]

Had thought about a name plaque for the person that gave it to me, and like you Stormrider, I would have plenty left.

[amazingkevin]

I have been given a beautiful piece of Mahogany 21" x 12" x 1.5" and now I am stumped as to what to do with it. As it is its a gorgeous if large bread board, which would be a waste, so I am open to suggestions. It has a lovely grain and is already sanded, what do you reckon...

I know the feeling ,I have so much hard wood and do not want to wast e it on useless things ,Got to be !

[bandaideman]

I think everyone have good ideas. I think the main thing is to not hurry it but put it away remember where it is and in time something will fit right in. I have held on to special wood up to a year and then bingo there is the pattern.

[Lucky2]

Doc, I know what to do with it, set it aside until you have a good use for it. There's no sense in using it, just to use it up. 21"x12"x1.5" is a good sized piece of wood, do you do any carving, or know anyone who does. You could always trade it, for something you need or want. Do you know of anyone, you could get to resaw it for you? If you did that, you would have matched pieces that you could use to compliment each other. Plus, it would be better to use on a scrollsaw at about 3/4"or 7/16" depending on the bandsaw blade kerf.

Len

[Jim Finn]

    One idea is, if you do not have a way to re-saw it, make a band saw box or two using it.  Cut into rectangles and glue them together to form the thick blank required for them.