honduran vs. Brazilian plywood

[David Lurkin]

Does anyone know of a supplier of Honduran Mahogany Plywood? It seems very difficult if not impossible to find. Also, does anyone know if Brazilian Mahogany is the same? Thanks for any help.

[pharding]

Contact Mark Hill at Bacon Veneer in suburban Chicago,708.547.6673. These guys are great at what they do.



Also try Owl Hardwood in Chicago.



Good luck. You may wish to list your location with your name. It makes the board more interesting and useful.

[SDR]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahogany



What do you plan to use the material for, and what is the general area where you will be making your purchase ?



Furniture and cabinetmakers generally prefer veneered MDF over veneer-core (plywood) these days, because the former has a more reliably flat surface (which translates to more consistent and even finishing). But plywood is lighter and takes fasteners (in the edge) better.



SDR

[MHOLUBAR]

I have used this source with very good results. It was some time ago so the price may be higher.

Panoply Corp.

PO Box 100 (731) 968-4244

Lexington, Tennessee 38351

This will be ribbon striped mahogany (light red murante) plywood for $113 per sheet (4

[mike]

We are currently restoring a home done by an ex-wright employee (pre taliesin) and are using "Meranti" as a substitute for mahogany.



Our supplier is one of the biggest in the midwest and can't get anything but very small quantites of honduran in solid stock or veneer.

Years ago we used something called "african mahogany" which was a very close match but I don't know the real name for the species.

[SDR]

Meranti (could that be the word in the fourth message here ?) is denser and darker (generally) than much Honduran mahogany. I designed a deck which was built of this wood. I wish the advice given by the seller (stamped belatedly on the bill of sale), to immediately coat the cut ends, had been followed; otherwise the performance has been excellent. Only after the job was complete did we learn that this lumber was being illegally harvested in Indonesia. . .



SDR

[mike]

We are using it on the interior only the wood on the exterior of the home is cypress.



I wouldn't suggest mahogany for exterior use but someone on this forum may say otherwise.

[Richard]

Just for the record. If you are in a pinch and need to use plywood for the exterior, there is a good product which is available. It is marine grade plywood. It comes in 1/2 inch. I forget the name. It has little graining but takes stain and holds up well. I have it on garage doors and it looks great after 5 years with no delaminating at the edges.



It is sold at Wood World in Chicago.

[mike]

Also check into "Lyptus". The "pores" in the grain are bigger than mahogany so if you are using a dark stain it will show. Otherwise it looks great and color and grain is a good match.