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 Post subject: What looks like teak?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:48 pm 
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Customer wants a teak desk, but does not want to pay for 'teak'. Are there any suitable 'lookalikes'? I suggested that he settle on cherry instead of trying to mimic another wood. Any thoughts?


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 6:24 am 
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AlanS wrote:
Customer wants a teak desk, but does not want to pay for 'teak'. Are there any suitable 'lookalikes'? I suggested that he settle on cherry instead of trying to mimic another wood. Any thoughts?


Just guessing, but I think your customer doesn't have a clue. Teak is just another brown wood. Can be very handsome if highly figured ($$$$). Strong but dulls tools quickly (silica), and I'd charge him extra for wear and tear on my tools.

Show him some pictures, and explain the color and grain variations in all woods: http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/

As for lookalikes there are many other brown woods to choose from. Walnut is always a good choice for a desk.

You need to find out what his budget for this project is and price out some options for him based on your costs for materials and labor, etc., plus your profit. What kind of desk (design, size, intricacy, etc.) ? If he's looking for a bargain, I'd turn it down and suggest he buy a factory desk from China.

If you do take it on, I'd want 50% up front before I even bought any wood.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 7:27 am 
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I agree with Gene. If he is looking for a bargain, walk away. 50% up front.
There is no where you can go purchase a custom piece with a low price tag.

Zulu

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 11:52 am 
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If he wants a teak desk, you will have to use teak. Other wise he is going to get a walnut desk or a cherry desk or a poplar desk or a plywood desk or a........ :lol:

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 1:49 pm 
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Hey Alan,

Not all teak is the same of course. Plantation teak is about half the weight (and price) of wild teak and not nearly as interesting to look at. Highly figured teak is very expensive and difficult to find.

I second the other fellows suggestion that you try to convince him to choose another wood, otherwise I don't think either of you will be happy in the end.

If sustainability is a concern, then plantation teak is the only way to be sure that your wood was harvested responsibly. Maybe that would convince him.

Cheers,
Tom

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:57 am 
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Here are a couple of species I've seen in person that I find to resemble what a person would call "teak":
(Using Hobbit House as examples)

IPE:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/ipe.htm

IROKO:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... /iroko.htm

GRANDILLO:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... adillo.htm

JARRAH:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... jarrah.htm

JATOBA:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... jatoba.htm

LYPTUS:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... lyptus.htm


And the link to "Teak" itself (there are over 60 species with "teak" in it's name):
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... s/teak.htm

Locally IPE can be had for $5-6 bf or so IIRC although it has been a while since I priced it.
Lyptus is likely the least expensive, but finding boards that are dark enough might be an issue if color is the reason for teak.

Find out what it is about Teak that has your customers interest. That should lead you to a suitable substitution.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:52 pm 
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The other guys pretty much covered it. fFrst find out exactly what the clients budget is.

From there you can guide him to something that is within his budget. There are a lot of beautiful figured wood that will be with in his budget.

If he wont budge or change is mind, walk away.


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 3:10 am 
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AlanS wrote:
Customer wants a teak desk, but does not want to pay for 'teak'. Are there any suitable 'lookalikes'? I suggested that he settle on cherry instead of trying to mimic another wood. Any thoughts?


I agree with everyone above... sometimes it's better to NOT get the job...

And, Cherry sounds nicer than Teak for a desk anyway. Unless he's gonna leave it out by the pool or something..

Teak is super strong once it's done, but Cherry is a lot easier to work with.

If he just wants the Teak color, maybe you could just stain some Ash to the right color.? The grain is kinda, almost, similar...

For building decks, Ipe is most common Teak substitute. But, even Ipe isn't cheap anymore.

There are some species of Eucalyptus that look similar to Teak also. Like that last link from DMoening...
~LYPTUS:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/lyptus.htm

It's cheap, but if it's anything like the one I used, it's a nightmare to work with! It's like sanding a rock... The sawdust made my lips burn, and the inside of my forearms numb.. And I'm not usually sensitive to anything.. The wood is super strong, durable, etc, so it makes a kick butt product when it's done...but plan on spending more for extra blades, sandpaper, and time.


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 8:29 am 
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I made this out of Lyptus years ago.
It's so hard, when you drill holes in it, smoke comes out.
Zulu

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