Replies

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 26, 2003 10:58pm | #1

   if you haven't already,  consider posting this over at 'Knots' - - it should start an interesting thread about expensive wood - -

2. 
   MisterT | Jun 26, 2003 11:16pm | #2

   I was in "Fat Andys Hardwoods" in Yarmouth ME one time.

   He hard a Piece of 10/4 Teak that was 14" wide and 15' long!

   I said 500$ and he just snickered.

   It was a thing of beauty!

   Making the first cut on a board like that must be tense.

   Mr T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am an Experienced Professional!

1. 
   diddidit | Jun 27, 2003 05:14pm | #12

   My uncle had a small project to do on his sailboat, involving a little piece of teak being replaced. He went to a shop and asked if they had any scrap teak. They replied, "sir, there is no scrap teak."

   My dad and I were browsing a woodworking supply store, looking at the exotic woods. He looked at some chunk of lignum vitae and said "that's the most expensive wood I've ever seen," until I pointed out a 4" x 4" x 36" piece of pink ivory that was tagged at a shade under a grand...

   didUnencumbered by knowledge or fear...

3. 
   Brudoggie | Jun 27, 2003 01:27am | #3

   Might be expensive, but it sure is beautiful!

    Brudoggie

4. 
   xMikeSmith | Jun 27, 2003 01:30am | #4

   my '57 MG TD (english taxi cab type ).. had a burled walnut dash.. ran like a top until my sister smashed the oil pan in driving cross hayfields

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   larryscabnuts | Jun 27, 2003 02:02am | #5

   Mike! Ya should have spanked her!

2. 
   caseyr | Jun 27, 2003 02:35am | #6

   What the heck Mike, with those old MGs you had to completely rebuild the motor every few thousand miles anyway, so it was probably do for a complete overhaul anyway...

3. 
   dirtbag | Jun 28, 2003 05:29am | #16

   And I knew a guy a little over 20 years ago in the Air Force who had a solid teak dash made for his vintage '66-'67 Vette while he was stationed in the Phillipines.  I'm not talking veneer trim and accents.  As I recall, it was the WHOLE DASH.  Impressive. 

4. 
   jhausch | Jun 28, 2003 02:24pm | #17

   My 93 cherokee runs like a top:

   Spins, Wanders, and, at certain speeds, Wobbles ;-)Steelkilt Lives!

5. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 27, 2003 06:59am | #7

   actually,  I can offer something of the same order as your burl - here's $4500 of lignum vitae - bearings for three turbines of a water powered mill ---

1. 
   JamieFichter | Jun 27, 2003 08:51am | #8

   How many cans of that Bud did it take to turn those???

   Jamie

2. 
   MisterT | Jun 27, 2003 12:43pm | #9

   is the one with the saran wrap a bundt cake?

   Is your wifes cooking that bad?

   :)Mr T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am an Experienced Professional!

3. 
   luvmuskoka | Jun 27, 2003 12:46pm | #10

   David,

   For 4500 bucks you could at least upgrade to something better than Bud in can!Ditch

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 27, 2003 03:48pm | #11

   hey, - - I was drinking whiskey - - that Bud can is some that one of my low-life friends thought they could pass around at my birthday party - indeed,  there have been a few brews consumed on this project...

   And Mr T,  re the wife's cooking - believe me,  no one is losing weight around this house - -

   here,  maybe this is a little better...

   Edited 6/27/2003 8:49:40 AM ET by David Doud

   
6. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 27, 2003 05:33pm | #13

   ...and I would like to say,  that I would be interested in a tutorial as you use that sheet of burl to repair the dash - - how about a few pictures posted here as you proceed with the project? --

1. 
   brujenn | Jun 27, 2003 06:59pm | #14

   "...and I would like to say,  that I would be interested in a tutorial as you use that sheet of burl to repair the dash - - how about a few pictures posted here as you proceed with the project? -- "

   As a client once told me after re-evaluating the part of the job that he was supposed to do, "I think the best tool for that job is a pen and check book". I am set to chicken out on this part of my resto. I have found the Mercedes wood guru, a guy name Gregory Merrick who lives in Wisconson and does business as Old Power House Restorations. He is set up with vac forming equipment, specialty epoxies, and most importantly, experience and knowledge.

   I know that I could do this veneering, even with the dash's complex and compound curves. I would make a fiberglass negative form for clamping and a paper pattern for locating relief cuts on outside curves that would be filled in with pointy little triangles...Gregory even published a great DIY guide for people like me, so I would be sure to use the right materials.

   But I wouldn't have the nuances of mastery that he will impart. And I would always see the flaws I left, much like how we all feel when we see some hack's work on a home. I also have a pretty full plate doing the body work, leather upholstery, and mechanical restoration. My daughter's need for wheels at the end of August is driveing the schedule too, which is a big factor in this decision.

   Edited 6/27/2003 12:26:14 PM ET by Brujenn

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 27, 2003 09:03pm | #15

   My daughter's need for wheels at the end of August is driveing the schedule

   a lucky girl - - my 16YO (boy) got his first 'personal' car last weekend - '83 Buick Le Sabre - (spelled c-h-e-a-p) - we've had a good time this week,  cleaning it up,  new shocks and center link - oil change etc etc - if it's any consolation,  the genuine plastic imitation burl trim is deteriorated :-)  whadda sled - - low miles (45K),  but never been inside a day of its life -

   best of luck on your fine project -