I'm looking for "Red" wood.....

[Mark Rios]

I got a commission for a cutting board that will be the regular straight laminated pieces, mostly maple but with a couple of other woods in it like walnut and purple heart. The woman who it's for has requested that I use a wood that is red for a couple of pieces.

Can anyone please recommend a "Red" wood to use here in this case? And if you would be so kind, tell me if it will keep it's color over time? And if there is any special gluing or machining requirements?

Thank you very much for you help and recommendations.

[Jim Becker]

Cardinal wood is what I've seen used. I don't know about longevity, however.

[Robert Waddell]

Mark,
Bloodwood is the best choice in my opinion for this. It is hard and somewhat closed grained and bleeds less than some of the other reds. No special glueing needed. I've been using Titebond II doing cutting board and rolling pin laminations for years with no problems.
Rob

[Roger Bell]

I like bloodwood as well for a vibrant red. With the various cutting boards I have made over the years, maple and bloodwood and purpleheart (from among the choices discussed so far) hold up very well. Walnut, however, does not.

[Mark Rios]

Thanks very much for the recommendations. May I ask one more question then please?

Where do you recommend I buy it online? My local hardwood supplier doesn't carry it.

Thanks again very much.

[Scott Thornton]

I did a couple boards recently, used Walnut and Maple on one, alternating. I used Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Maple alternating on the other. I tried to get the redest cherry I could, I was going for that effect. After oiling the board, I let it suntan for a while, it got darker, looks good, but isn't red red.

If you want me to send you some pictures, I can.

[Dennis Perry]

I buy mine from internetlumber, Aura dosn't have much in the way of exotic lumber. Bloodwood maybe red heart is the redest or some pink ivory?

Dennis

[Nick Clayton]

I like Massaranduba (short money) for an amber/red color, not bright red though. If she really wants bright red check out Pink Ivory. It might also be neat to have a couple stripes of Camphor Burl (expensive though).

[Keith Beck]

Mark,

I've got to go with Bloodwood too, especially if you're looking for a rich, deep red color. Here's a cutting board I recently made with it.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02908.jpg

Personally, it's a little dark for my tastes, but it's what I had laying around at the time. Be advised that Bloodwood is extremely heavy and dense, so it's going to be a heavy cutting board. I also had some issues with chip out when I routed the edges, but it could have just been the crappy Crapsman router I have (no variable speed).

I got my Bloodwood at Woodcraft. I don't remember what I paid for it, but I'm sure you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere.

Keith

[Rod Torgeson]

Mark......I agree with others that either Bloodwood or Red Heart is a good choice. You might try MacBeth hardwoods in Berkley. If you have never been there, it is worth the trip. I don't know if they ship or not. Another place is Crosscut hardwoods in Portland, Oregon. Again, I don't know if they ship either. Of course Portland would be too much of a drive. Another place that comes to mind is Woodworkers source in Phoenix, AZ. I do believe they will ship. Another "red" wood is Chakte Kok or Peroba Rosa although they are not quite as red as the others. Hope this helps.

Rod<---in Appleton, WA

[Jeff Fritzson]

If you need a more "orange" red you may also look at some Padauk. I just made a nice bow saw and have this as the crosspiece and it was extremely orangey red more so than I have seen before. If you can't find bloodwood this may be an easier thing to find.

Jeff

[Jim Hinze]

I'm doing some marquetry work right now with some red heart... has a very red, almost crimson color... but not quite that dark.

Second choice would be blood wood.. but as pointed out, it tends to be very dark.

[Keith Beck]

If you need a more "orange" red you may also look at some Padauk. I just made a nice bow saw and have this as the crosspiece and it was extremely orangey red more so than I have seen before. If you can't find bloodwood this may be an easier thing to find.

Jeff

Jeff,

I think I'd be a little wary using Padauk in a cutting board. I've turned some pens out of Padauk and it seemed to have a lot of "pores" (for lack of a better word). I'm not sure you'd want something that open-grained in a cutting board.

Just my .02...

Keith

[Dennis Perry]

Can you find the blood wood in this piece.

Dennis
48706

[douglas hyde]

Mark I got some blood wood from woodcraft I thank Curly Wood has some too I hope this will help.Doug

[John Fry]

I've never used redheart and I am going to give it a try. But out of all the "reds" I've used, in my experience bloodwood seems to hold its color best over time, and exposure to air and light.

[Jim Hinze]

Can you find the blood wood in this piece.

Dennis
48706

Nice piece (awesome actually)... it's on the foot rest (running boards) right?

[Dennis Perry]

Jim, no it's all the sheet metal (tank, fenders, fairing & bags)

Dennis

[Kelly C. Hanna]

I like Bloodwood as well but Paduak will also work well.

[Jim Hinze]

Jim, no it's all the sheet metal (tank, fenders, fairing & bags)

Dennis

Wow.. I would have guessed that as Paduk.... Thanks for sharing that piece.

[Ron Blaise]

Thanks very much for the recommendations. May I ask one more question then please?

Where do you recommend I buy it online? My local hardwood supplier doesn't carry it.

Thanks again very much.
Mark: If they don't carry Blood Wood, ask if they have any eastern red cedar. It's pretty red, although a little soft.

[Frank Fusco]

I like Massaranduba (short money) for an amber/red color, not bright red though. If she really wants bright red check out Pink Ivory. It might also be neat to have a couple stripes of Camphor Burl (expensive though).

Pink ivory has a reputation of cracking.

[Brett Baldwin]

I just checked Woodworker's Source and you can get samples of Bloodwood 1/2"x3"x6" for $5 ppd. I don't know how much or what size you need but that sounds handy for small work. If you can't find any useful places, I could make a run for you. I only live a few miles from Woodworker's Source.