Sapele vs Hounduras mahogany? Which to use?

[DaveD]

I'm going to make a big bookcase (12 sheets of mahogany plywood) and need to make the faceframes and two sides out of solid material. If I could find (which I can't) 10' long mahogany plywood I could make the sides out of that though.

The folks over at Raleigh hardwoods laughed (in a nice way) when I asked for Hounduras mahogany boards (they don't carry it and it seems its hard to get for them). They suggested Sapele (about 1/2 the price of real mahogany too).

Anybody do any big items (cabinet size) out of Sapele and try to get it to stain up and finish like Honduras Mahogany? Good/Bad experiences?

I need about 60 bd ft of it and need to closely match a house that has all stained mahogany woodwork/doors throughout the house (and in the room where the bookcase is going).

 

[michaelgarner]

well friend I havent used any,,but I sure would like some pics when your done. How much is your ply?

 

[mshel]

I'm going to make a big bookcase (12 sheets of mahogany plywood) and need to make the faceframes and two sides out of solid material. If I could find (which I can't) 10' long mahogany plywood I could make the sides out of that though.

The folks over at Raleigh hardwoods laughed (in a nice way) when I asked for Hounduras mahogany boards (they don't carry it and it seems its hard to get for them). They suggested Sapele (about 1/2 the price of real mahogany too).

Anybody do any big items (cabinet size) out of Sapele and try to get it to stain up and finish line Honduras Mahogany? Good/Bad experiences?

I need about 60 bd ft of it and need to closely match a house that has all stained mahogany woodwork/doors throughout the house (and in the room where the bookcase is going).

Dave,

I am currently getting ready to make a hanging corner cupboard out of Sapele and IMHO, it has much more character than the cheap mahogany available these days. The boards I got are quite figgured and I believe my client is going to be very pleased with the look. I know a gentleman who made a secretary out of it and just finished it clear to let the color show through. Just beautiful. I got mine from East Wake Hardwoods and the going price was $7.50 bf I believe. Much cheaper than the mahogany which is going for close to $10.00 bf.

Mike

 

[woodguy1975]

Use Geniune Mahagony. I've used both African and Geniun and really like the grain of Geniun a lot more. I found some 18" wide figured Gen. Mahogany at Catawba hardwoods. Absolutely gorgeous stuff.

 

[Gillie]

I've got some sepele in stock and I'm not much of a fan of it. It just seems "flat" to me in comparison with mahogany. It just doesn't seen to have the richness and depth. But that's just my opinion.

 

[DaveD]

I am going to go with the genuine/honduras Mahogany and forget the Sapele.

Probably going to make a trip to Steve Wall's place in the next 2 weeks (need to call them though to be sure he has what I want).

He has the 3/4 Mahogany ply for $75 a sheet (if you buy 4 or more) which is at least $10 cheaper than Raleigh hardwoods. Need to check NC hardwoods price though.

Even though I have a thickness planer I'll probably pay Wall lumber to plane the boards.

Got another project that I want to use marine grade plywood for outside cabinets. That may influence me where I go to buy though once I find that. (see my new thread).

 

[mkepke]

I am going to go with the genuine/honduras Mahogany and forget the Sapele.

Probably going to make a trip to Steve Wall's place in the next 2 weeks (need to call them though to be sure he has what I want).
<snip>

Dave..not sure about plywood, but Wall Lumber doesn't carry Honduran Mahogany lumber..they carry African Mahogany (probably Khaya spp.).

The Hardwood Store carries Honduran..which explains the big difference in price with Wall Lumber.

If you are going up there anyways and might be game to carry some stock back for me, I'd be happy to chip in gas money. :mrgreen:

-Mark

 

[woodguy1975]

Good point. GM is usually about $2/bdft more than African Mahogany. I've seen Wall's plywood and it is definitely African.

Good Luck,

John