Mahogony hardwood as outside handrail?
 

Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?

On Sat, 09 Apr 2005 23:33:39 -0400, wayner wrote:

Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?

Much of the British Royal Navy was once built of Cuban Mahogany. That's
about as exposed to the weather as one can get.

smartass
Protect it with a couple dozen 24-pounders.
/smartass

--
"Keep your ass behind you"
vladimir a t mad {dot} scientist {dot} com

Australopithecus scobis wrote:

On Sat, 09 Apr 2005 23:33:39 -0400, wayner wrote:

Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?

Much of the British Royal Navy was once built of Cuban Mahogany. That's
about as exposed to the weather as one can get.

smartass
Protect it with a couple dozen 24-pounders.
/smartass


What a waste of Cuban Mahogany!!!

But to answer the original question, mahogany is one of those wonderful
exterior woods that needs very little in the way of protection. Watco
exterior oil would be about all you would need.

Deb

On Sat, 09 Apr 2005 23:33:39 -0400, "wayner"
wrote:

Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail

Not in recent years. Mahogany is simply too rare and expensive
(outside Belize). It would certainly work though.

Here in the UK, the likely timber would be "mahogany", but this would
be African and no real relation to true mahoganies. For coarse work
Meranti would be the likely choice, but this has a coarse surface
texture and is prone to splinters. For fine work I'd be looking at
Ipe.

In New Zealand I wouldn't know what to recommend. One of the
Australian posters might have better ideas.
--
Smert' spamionam

Wooden boats contain a lot of mahogany because of it's beauty and
durability. Various marine varnishes are available to obtain the color
that you desire from Interlux Marine Finishes. One of the best looking is
named "Chris-Craft Red Mahogany". Depending on how much you are willing to
invest there are a lot of marine varnished to protect the mahogany from the
suns UV rays and the weather.

Much less expensive yet containing similar properties is Min-Wax Helmsman.

Don Dando




"wayner" wrote in message
lkaboutcrafting.com...
Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?

Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?


As Andy suggested I would also recommend Ipe, also known as Pao Lope.
Sold as long decking boards commonly by the linear foot in precut sizes,
come in exact thicknesses of 3/4" and 1" x 5-1/2". I can get it for $2.70
L/f and other places farther away have it for $2. It should be available at
any decent lumber yard.

Ipe is extremely durable to weather, I have seen 25 years mentioned online,
it's also extremely hard and tight grained, dark.

One could laminate two ripped halves together using wood epoxy to make
a decent hand rail, maybe route the edges for roundness. However, the epoxy
to buy would be a research area for you.

--
Alex
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

I did a couple hundred feet of exterior railing for a restaurant out of
Honduran mahogany (as per architect specs). This was about two years ago.
Saw it the other day and it still looks good. They use a light coat of
Sikkens every 6 months. It is a lot easier maintenance than a clear coat
such as polyurethane. Mahogany is one of the best exterior woods, but it is
expensive and some species are rare and endangered. I didn't want to use
it, but the architect required it.

Preston
"wayner" wrote in message
lkaboutcrafting.com...
Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?

Depends on your desired maintenance.

Oil often or paint less frequently.

I've chosen to use Five Year Clear on a new mahogany door

www.fiveyearclear.com

cheers
Bob

AAvK wrote:
Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand
rail ????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would
you use to protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?


As Andy suggested I would also recommend Ipe, also known as Pao Lope.
Sold as long decking boards commonly by the linear foot in precut
sizes, come in exact thicknesses of 3/4" and 1" x 5-1/2". I can get
it for $2.70 L/f and other places farther away have it for $2. It
should be available at any decent lumber yard.

Ipe is extremely durable to weather, I have seen 25 years mentioned
online, it's also extremely hard and tight grained, dark.

Ditto greenheart. Never used it myself but I recall reading some years
ago about some greenheart pilings that were removed from the
Thames...they had been there some 200 years and were still good.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Ditto greenheart. Never used it myself but I recall reading some years
ago about some greenheart pilings that were removed from the
Thames...they had been there some 200 years and were still good.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

Next time you're at a lumber yard examine the boards, substantial wood!
It is a great wood to have around just for small utility uses like new handles.

--
Alex
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

Spanish Cedar would be a good choice if available..

Since it's not spanish nor cedar but a member of the
mahogany family. Boating guys use a fair amount of
this as well as box and humidor builders.

wayner wrote:

Has anybody heard of using mahogony in a outside situation as a hand rail
????(exposed to the weather) and if you can use it, what would you use to
protect it from the weather, i.e stain, oil?