Wood species question...

[AKmud]

I found a supply of "Light red meranti" in my area for a good price but I can't find any information regarding bow "worthiness".  

Do any of you have experience with this wood?  Will it work for a self bow or maybe hickory backed?  Another name associated with it is Lauan.  The lumber is in 1x2x4 and 1x2x6 dimensions...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Pat B]

I believe Lauan is very similar to mahogany and I don't think it would be good bow wood but I have never tried it.

[hova]

i have some "lauan" dowels , that look more like dark meranti. i did a bunch of googling , the sg can range from .30 to .70 .  if you have a lot to choose from , go with the densest , darked boards you can get.

when i was going thru the dowels to buy, the lightly colored ones were very very light. the name lauan and meranti are kind of misleading as there are (iirc) like 14 different tropical's that are called lauan and meranti (and another name starts with T but i cant remember it) , so i dont know if i actually have lauan or meranti , but the lighter/less heavy dowels bent like crazy (i stand them on end , and push on the other , poor mans spine i guess you could call it) , and  the heavier ones didnt bend nearly as much as the lighter ones.

if its a good enough price , go for it. the grain is really really intriguing , but its like interwoven kind of , so be careful.


if i had a supply like you , id get a 2 or 3 ft board , and try doing a mini-bow just to see how it reacts.


how much per foot are they asking? if you dont mind me asking...

[AKmud]

The guy only wants $1 for the 1x2x4' and $1.50 for the 1x2x6'....  I figured I go through his pile and try to find 8-10 to play with but if the wood is known to be worthless for a bow I will keep looking elsewhere.

[abstract]

In my experience, Lauan also called Philippine Mahogany, is a cheaper grade. It is widely used in making the outer wood cover veneer for interior doors in construction.

[fujimo]

makes a nice marine plywood- light, flexible, and all second growth stuff- so its sustainable.
w.

[KellyG]

AKmud did you get? Have you used it?

[AKmud]

No, since I didn't get a definite 'good wood' answer, I didn't follow up on it.  I'm still curious....I may have to check it out.