Light-colored wood to compliment mahogany?

[Randall Hansen]

I'm building a crib with (probably) a mahogany frame, and would like to use a different, lighter wood for the slats in the sides. I like the idea of maple, but a friend tells me that it's too hard and burns too easily in a table saw. With proper care taken this doesn't seem right to me, but I'm not very experienced.

What do ya'll think of maple? If not, what other wood?

Thanks!

[Mark Patoka]

Maple is a very good choice. To avoid burning problems you just need to be extra careful or you end up doing a little extra sanding. I wouldn't avoid it just for that reason.

Here is a jewelry chest I made using mahogany and bird's eye maple.

[Randall Hansen]

Maple is a very good choice. To avoid burning problems you just need to be extra careful or you end up doing a little extra sanding. I wouldn't avoid it just for that reason.

Here is a jewelry chest I made using mahogany and bird's eye maple.

Oooh, that's lovely. How did you finish the woods? The maple looks very clear, and the mahogany looks dark to me.

[Jim Tobias]

Randall,
I have used canarywood as an accent with Mahogany and I liked it. It is the panel in the top of this box. Just another option without quite as much contrast as maple.

Jim

[Randall Hansen]

Randall,
I have used canarywood as an accent with Mahogany and I liked it.

Interesting; I love the joints on that box, and you're right that it's less contrast. I don't know much about canarywood (neither does Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_wood)). Is it strong enough for this application? How expensive is it? I don't have a cut list yet, but I'll need a fair amount.

[Prashun Patel]

I just did a bench in mahogany and eucalyptus.
The grain pattern matches the mahogany very well and some have used it as a mahogany substitute.

A BLO followed by varnish combo made the colors really pop.

[Jim Tobias]

Randall,
I buy canarywood from Steve Wall Lumber - (not affiliated)http://www.walllumber.com/default.asp

Here is some of the pricing -
Canarywood - Yellow with Red Tints
Nice Grain Features 4/4 - $7.00
8/4 - $7.50
12/4 - $8.00

I cannot speak to its strength as I have only used it in decorative pieces.

Jim

[Bill Keehn]

I think Sycamore would be a nice compliment. It looks nice and its not terribly expensive.