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Author	Topic:   Mahogany Veneer
phillips407	posted 10-09-2011 12:39 PM ET (US)         Is it feasible to put mahogany veneer over old existing seats? If so, do you glue with epoxy and press? Or, is there a better method or glue? Would you use an all-wood veneer? Any help will be appreciated.
Binkster	posted 10-09-2011 01:46 PM ET (US)             Google "How plywood is made". You will find that it not feasible for a do-it-yourself-er to bond a thin veneer of mahogany to a board. Where would you get a thin veneer of mahogany anyway? Also mahogany plywood is not suitable for seats without braces or cleats to prevent flexing. A 1-inch Sapele mahogany board at about $5-per- board-foot (12 x 12 x 1-inch) x 5-feet long is $25. Why screw around with something else? Rich
Binkster	posted 10-09-2011 01:56 PM ET (US)             Also, not trying to change the subject from plywood or veneers, but the original thwarts (seats) on 13 and 15' Whalers were made from 5/4" Philippine mahogany. It is hard to find nowadays. Sapele mahogany being denser than Philippine, the seats can be made from 1" thick rough cut board planed to 7/8 or 3/4" thick. Also Sapele is better looking, with its ribbon stripes. Neither woods are actually mahogany, both are cedars. As far as I know only Honduran is actually the only mahogany, but too expensive for boat building. Rich
phillips407	posted 10-09-2011 09:23 PM ET (US)             Thanks, The seats are mahogany (or cedar)--the Scotch tape didn't work, so I'll take your advice and I'll buy new boards, finish them myself, and give them to my neighbor. Phillip
PeteB88	posted 10-09-2011 11:07 PM ET (US)             What's wrong with the original seats? If surface [defects] you could have a few millimeters planed-off the board and it could be as good as new. Those are thick boards, I have several in my garage. Post some photos and let us guys who are experienced with marine lumber and finishing. Planing can done for you at most cabinet shops.
AZdave	posted 10-11-2011 01:50 AM ET (US)             You will probably find pristine wood if you plane down the boards. If you and your passengers are relatively skinny, you can refinish and smile. If not, you can cut strips of wood and laminate them to the bottom of the seat with waterproof glue and screws. This will stiffen-up the boards.
Binkster	posted 10-11-2011 01:01 PM ET (US)             I was under the assumption that the seats were made of some other type of wood and were not original. If they are original and not split, planing is the easy way to go, of course.
Tohsgib	posted 10-11-2011 02:35 PM ET (US)             If they are warped you can not plane without taking off too much wood. You would have to sand them down which takes some time but not crazy when you start with like 60grit.
phillips407	posted 10-12-2011 09:57 AM ET (US)             I took them to a cabinet shop and they planned 2 seats and a back plus a storage cover, both sides all boards and sanded them all for $140---The wood is beautiful. Thanks to you all. Phillip

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