Replies

1. 
   JMadson | Mar 01, 2008 07:54pm | #1

   bump

    

    

2. 
   saschafer | Mar 01, 2008 10:01pm | #2

   Walnut and maple or walnut and white ash.

   -Steve

    

3. 
   BigK | Mar 01, 2008 10:20pm | #3

   My first wood project that used mixed species was a craftsman style end table using red oak and cocobolo. These species provided a nice contrast with similar hardness so that sanding was uniform and finishing was a breeze. This was very early in my woodworking experience, the only power tools that I had then were a used radial arm saw and an inherited 3/4 hp B&D router with interchangeable steel cutter bits. Since then I try to use accent species whenever I can in my work.

4. 
   FrankDrackman | Mar 03, 2008 12:07am | #4

   I use cherry and maple together in project often.

5. 
   harrycu | Mar 03, 2008 03:35am | #5

   I made a walnut and maple chess board a number of years ago and so far so good.

   Harry

    

   Following the path of least resistance makes rivers and men crooked.
6. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Mar 03, 2008 05:46pm | #6

   In my current project I'm combining zebra wood and walnut.

1. 
   JMadson | Mar 03, 2008 05:58pm | #7

   I didn't want to suggest at first what I was planning on building, because I know it would have misdirected the thread. But I would like to build a chessboard, if it wasn't obvious.

   I think the zebra wood on a chess board might be a little too much, distracting.

   I actually like the idea of the maple and walnut from a post above. I could wrap this with a simple cherry box for a nice, clean, simple look.

   Thanks 

1. 
   TampaTom | Mar 03, 2008 09:47pm | #8

   I built a weather instrument station that's hanging in my office. It was made out of Brazilian Cherry and Maple - gave a nice look.Tom Iovino

   Tom's Workbench

   http://tomsworkbench.com

2. 
   DonC | Mar 05, 2008 08:37am | #14

   Hi J Madson,

   I have extensive experience with the asthetics of contrasting woods. The word "contrasting", (In my best opinion) should be labeled..God's best complimentary. They are the time tested museum/mix and have survived the test of time/complimentary. I don't try to re-invent the wheel. I look at time tested museum/modern designer pieces for what I like.

    The advice you have recieved is wonderful. Cherry, walnut, and maple are great together. espically if the species are intentional visual joint construction.

   BUT ,from my local woodworking club, I rented  a video tape from master veneer Ron Polloaro, of a chess table.

   His contrasting species was my favorite! Brand new to me! I love to learn. Incredible chess table. And sadly, I can only remember one of the wood species.

   My favorite chess square was curly Koa and.other species?? ( I can't remember ,(why)..cause (I'm a turd). I gotta see the video again. I saw it 2 years ago and it's on my do list.  My curley Koa reseach has shown that it is incredibly expensive. Most great pieces of veneer are allocated to instrument makers'. BIG bucks. I don't care... I just have to have the chess board shown the video.

   Did I say BIG bucks for curley Koa??

    I just hope someone will chime in here to tell me/us what the secondary species was from Ron's video that was soooo complimertary to Koa in asethics.

   I have e-mailed Ron in the past to buy more videos but have recieved no reply.

   Anybody got advice/connection/links? 

7. 
   Woodrat1 | Mar 04, 2008 03:41pm | #9

   I'll have to agree with the majority here.

   I made a box of maple & walnut 10 years ago &
   I have seen no difference in movement.

   BUT! It was just dumb luck on my part.
   I had the wood and used it.

   Does anyone out there have a chart they could post
   or direct us to that shows specific wood movements
   that shows similarities / differences?

   Bill-

   http://www.franklinwoodwright.com

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/4/2008 8:21 am ET by Woodrat1

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 04, 2008 04:43pm | #10

   Wood,

   I believe that Hoadley's Understanding Wood has such a chart.

   Ray

2. 
   saschafer | Mar 04, 2008 04:54pm | #11

   You can use the Shrinkulator.

   You can also buy a nice little cardboard calculator from Lee Valley: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=46281&cat=1,46096,46109

   Soft maple and black walnut are almost perfectly matched; hard maple has a bit more expansion/contraction, but still very close.

   -Steve

    

8. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 04, 2008 05:29pm | #12

   There are lots of light woods: qs white oak, maple, holly. On the dark side, there's purpleheart, ebony (wow, expensive), and one I particularly like, wenge.

1. 
   Dick38 | Mar 04, 2008 10:01pm | #13

   Hi All,

   I'm currently making an entertainment center out  of zebra wood and ash. The drawer fronts will be zebra as well as the trim on the bridge over the top.

   Dick38

9. 
   Farkel | Mar 05, 2008 05:45pm | #15

   Try cherry sapwood with regular cherry. I have done that twice with good results. The sapwood darkens over the years as does the cherry, but the sapwood never seems to catch up with regular cherry. The contrast remains.

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 05, 2008 06:52pm | #17

   Another idea that would work if you're (a) using veneer, or (b) spacing the squares slightly away from each other, as James Krenov did in his chess table: Use just one wood with a strong chatoyance (e.g., quartersawn sapele) and alternate the orientation of the squares; in other words, the "white" squares would have the grain running north/south, and the "black" squares would have the grain running east/west.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 05, 2008 08:48pm | #18

   would have the grain running north/south, and the "black" squares would have the grain running east/west...........

   What if he doesn't have a compass?

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 05, 2008 09:03pm | #19

   Would make for a hell of a game on the South Pole, EH!?

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 05, 2008 09:27pm | #21

   Even worse in the bermuda triangle.

2. 
   saschafer | Mar 05, 2008 09:20pm | #20

   "What if he doesn't have a compass?"

   Yet another justification for buying a new tool! (In this case, a nice handheld GPS.)

   -Steve

    

1. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 05, 2008 09:27pm | #22

   A man after my own heart.

10. 
    VTAndy_ | Mar 05, 2008 06:23pm | #16

    Walnut and butternut.
    -Andy