RPCV_Woodworker Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 So, this is my first project journal - please forgive the large amount of hiccoughs it is bound to have!I've been living in West Africa for most of the last decade, and am now doing what is likely my last tour before going back to the states for a few years. I've decided to make one of my colleagues a coffee table as a leave-taking present. Below is a rough sketch-up design of the table. It's a bit chunky, but my tool selection is very limited, and I'm not very good with hand tools... The wood will be locally sourced African Mahoghany (Khaya senegalensis for the most part). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Two things:Just out of curiosity, what's the average cost of African mahogany there? What about wenge, padauk, bubinga?The guy in your sketch...Aviators, mustache, London Fog jacket. Awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Mike, is that a picture of you next to the table? Lol. Looks like it's going to be a nice table. I look forward to seeing how this comes together. Take lots of pics Sent from my XP7700 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I'll echo Eric's questions about the lumber.. I look forward to seeing the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 BURT... step away from that table Burt Reynolds. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Haha that's the contractor who appears randomly in new sketchup models. On my old laptop I had a medieval carpenter as my human scale (he was also closer to my height).So at the local lumber yard, I've been running into some issues, and they've not let me take out my camera since the last trip. Khaya senegalensis is pretty much the only tree that gets big enough to harvest in this country, and it sells for about 14,000 fcfa (24USD) for a 2.5cmx 25cm x 4m (1" x 10" x 13') plank (about 11bf). This would be about $2.20/bf. I'll be getting more precise numbers when I get the boards for the top.A weird note, they sell 8cmx8cm posts for construction, for 5,400 fcfa @ 4m length for something that will soon appear in the Wood forum for an ID. When I ask about species I'm told "red" or "white" in French. Some of the workers there give me a local name of sitoo/sisso/sippo for the red one. Unfortunately, they speak a dialect I haven't (and won't have time) to learn, so still working on a confirmed ID. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I've heard of Sipo as a mahogany replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I am using Sipo (also known as Utile) in a current build and I can tell you it is a dramatic improvement over Khaya. It does not tear out like Khaya, has a nicer color, and more interesting grain. It is closely related to Sapele. Terry is using it for his nightstands that he is journaling. You don't see it much in the states, but it must be common in Europe. It is what festool uses for their outdoor dominos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted September 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 So, I'm not great at tracking my progress here, and things tend to go in fits and starts. But, I made it to the lumber yard last weekend and got all of the wood for the build. Turns out the first guy was in fact, full of crap on the species and the sourcing. I talked to the boss, all of the wood is imported from Cote D'Ivoire, and is simply "Bois bu Xonc" or "Bois Rouge" a nameless red species that is nearly as heavy as hard maple. I'll get pictures up of the wood once I get time to start planing - I think the leg material might be a different species...Here are a few pics of the yard and the pile. Unfortunately no picture of me riding the "charette" (horescart) made from a car axle and oil drums, pulled by a horse more bones than flesh... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RPCV_Woodworker Posted December 30, 2016 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 Hi Everyone, So this table took a lot longer than expected. I finished it up this past May, with a little help on the curves from a local woodworker. I ended up having the same guy do my jointing/planing, as I was pressed for time. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 You're back ! Where have you been ? Peace corps keeping you busy I guess. The table looks awesome, great work ! Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 Table looks good ! Are you using your office for finishing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 31, 2016 Report Share Posted December 31, 2016 So, African Mahogony is to Senegal what Red Oak is to Tennessee? Except prettier! Nice job on the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted December 31, 2016 Report Share Posted December 31, 2016 Came out very nice. I like the solid, grounded feel of the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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