South American Mahogany

[Luckbox]

Anyone in the Raleigh area.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/788040720.html

I was wondering if this is a good price. I am trying to find a site to compare board foot price but have been have not found any prices.

[SARGE..g-47]

If... it really is South American Mahogany which is illegal to forest anymore (but that doesn't stop many from doing it) as most is African now.... it is a good price indeed. If any doubt buy a piece and take it to Steve Wall at his place. He will idenify and give and you a better read as he is in the business.

[ModestMouser]

well, i'm a noob, but i'd jump on that deal. the only sad part is that they're only 3.5" wide.

[jgscott987]

Here's my take on it, for what it's worth...

Each S4S 3/4" x 3.5" x 8' is about 1.75 net board-feet. Lumber is typically priced as rough-sawn, not S4S, however. The equivalent rough-sawn board would be 1" x 4" x 8', or 2.67 BF.

She's asking $10 per board. That's about $3.75 per BF, depending how you measure it.

The same board at The Hardwood Store of NC would cost you about $22 plus tax...

http://www.hardwoodstore.com/specialty.html

So to me it looks like a very good deal. I'm about 2 hours away and would be tempted to go get some were I not headed out of town this afternoon.

[poolhound]

Luckbox,

Do you really have a hankering for South American Mahogany or would any mahogany do or for that matter do you actually have a specific project or is the wood just going on the shelf?

The reason I ask is that while this is cheaper than a store its not really a super deal IMHO. JG scott did some of the calcs already but as it is already S4S then that would be approx $5.71 bd/ft and you should compare to other already surfaced stock (do you actually have a jointer/planer). ANyway if you just needed regular Mahogany then Woodworkers source (which arent always the cheapest place) has it for $7.99 S2S (4/4) as a comparison and I know I can get rough stock for around $5

If you have a project that you need it for now or soon then go for it. If its just going to sit on your shelf for a few years waiting for inspiration then I would wait and keep your eyes open for a really good deal.

I have bought various larger lots over the years and usually dont end up paying more than $1-2 bd/ft. When I see those I usually grab them as they are worth sitting on for a while.

[drsung]

Sorry to take this a little off topic BUT,

I am thinking of building a wrap around wet bar and I was thinking of using mahagony. Any particular species better than the other? Any I should stay away from? Is plywood readily available? My typical dealings are in oak, cypress and pine.

Thanks!

[Luckbox]

Actually I was thinking of almost the same thing. It's not going to be a wet bar do to no plumbing in the room that I am planning on the bar, but I was thinking the mahogany boards over an mdf sub base for extra strength. Not sure if I would rally need the sub base but figured it wouldn't hurt.

[poolhound]

Sorry to take this a little off topic BUT,

Is plywood readily available? My typical dealings are in oak, cypress and pine.

Thanks!

Mahogany plywood is pretty easy to get here in PHX, prices vary from around $70 - $100 a sheet of 3/4. CHeck with your local supplier if they dont stock they can probably order it for you.

[poolhound]

Actually I was thinking of almost the same thing. It's not going to be a wet bar do to no plumbing in the room that I am planning on the bar, but I was thinking the mahogany boards over an mdf sub base for extra strength. Not sure if I would rally need the sub base but figured it wouldn't hurt.

Depending on the construction of the base and thickness of mahogany you probably wouldn't need a subbase. I would guess that mahogany would be stronger than MDF anyway.