Hello All-

Some Background Info –

1. I have had one piece of 1″+T x 29″w x 54.5″L (approximately 11 board feet) rough sawn African Mahogany stored in my shop for at least 40 years.
2. I bought it for the day that “special project” would come along requiring such a magnificent piece of wood.
3. It has always been stored inside and is dry, un-checked, clear, no dings, un-planed and very dark.
4. I have resisted cutting it many times (slight tear in the eye or at least mild heart palpitations) over the years.

The time may be here to use it –

1. I am not the spring chicken I once was and I’m afraid that damn board will “out live” me.
2. More importantly, we were recently blessed with our first great grandchild, Emma.
3. I figure that a hand made cradle from Great Grandpa would meet the criteria of a “Special Project”. Also for her dollies in the years to come and, if I know Great Grandma, she will have plenty of dollies.

What I have researched –

1. No piece of the cradle comes close to using the 29″ with of this piece.
2. On-line and in catalogs the price of good mahogany is right off the board (pun intended).
3. If you read the smaller print on these ads, you will find the pieces they are selling are usually 3.5″ to 7.5″ wide.
4. It seems to me (remember I am a Yankee of several generations) that 11 board feet of mahogany 29″ wide should be worth considerably more that several “cutoffs and narrow boards” making up 11 board feet.

What I have concluded –

1. I would like to lug this around to exotic woods dealers/builders that might understand the passion an old woodworker has for a single piece of wood and that passion happens to match their need for their “special project”, whereas a deal could be struck. Think of something like a wide hatch cover or matching wood for galley project.
2. We do not have exotic wood suppliers in the area (Rockler being the closest 120 miles away).
3. We do have a bunch of yacht builders/restorers and summer mansions “cottages”, Builders/Restorers.

What I need – 

1. Someone to tell me it really is OK to sell/cut that piece of mahogany. It would take a real woodworker to understand what I am talking about.
2. Suggestions on a place(s) to sell the piece or swap for more manageable sizes for a cradle that yield much more than 11 board feet in total. Remember the thought: one piece is greater than many little pieces.
3. To complicate things even more, I need to do this pretty soon as Emma is growing like a weed, and Great Grandma is already buying dollies.

Thank you in advance. I am counting your understanding how I feel during my ramblings.

Floyd T. Calderwood
31 Highview Terrace
Belfast, ME
(H) (207) 930-3602 – (C) (207) 323-1404 –
Email: [email protected]