If you have been following along for very long then you have heard me make mention of my magic attic. When we moved into this house, just over two years ago, I discovered that the previous owner had left behind some wood in the attic. Well, “some” is an understatement. Almost half of the attic is covered in boxes of and slabs of wood.
Most of the slabs are clear pine. I have yet to determine if it is eastern white or sugar pine though. The slabs are over 2″ thick and range in width and length, but are at least 10″ wide and three feet long. Along with the pine I have found slabs of maple and even a few of walnut. There is also some bits of mahogany, possibly spapele, up there. I’m not sure I have the knowledge to tell the difference.
So, where did all of this wood come from? My best guess thus far is as follows. The gentleman that lived here, who passed away over twelve years ago, retired from a steel mill. I’m wondering if all of the wood was scraps that he hauled home from the pattern shop. Just a guess, but I’m starting to get really curious.
Anyway, I’ve been trying to get the shop a little more organized before jumping into my next project. To that end I thought it would be a good idea to separate the wood I have into species and take stock of what I actually have to work with. The scattered all over the garage system doesn’t seem to be working all that well. My thinking was to start with the material that I though I had the least amount of. Which I assumed would be mahogany. So up into the magic attic I went with a five gallon bucket.
I should point out that I have raided the mahogany stash a few time already. I made several cam clamps with it.
Framed my incense burner stand with it.
Used some in my book stands.
(stretchers are mahogany, posts are walnut..also from the attic)
Most recently I used some in the bodies of my clamp-on pincushions.
So I really didn’t expect to haul all that much more mahogany down from the attic. Several trips later I ended up with this pile.
Yes, it is mostly just bits and pieces, but they are fairly thick and there are a lot of project possibilities in this crazy big pile!
Greg Merritt
