Teak - where to buy it?

[Weyalan]

I need to get hold of some teak for frames, trims etc... particularly for internal trims on my nice new hatches.

where can I buy teak at a reasonable price. I have access to bench saws, thicknessers, routers etc, so it doesn't have to be dressed or any particlar size. Ideally, I'm looking for a source in Australia, but if the price is good, so that the shipping doesn't kill me, I'd buy from overseas...

Any suggestions appreciated, thanks!

[David M]

Are there any places where you are that specialize in hardwoods? ...woods other than the usual stuff.

[Weyalan]

Not really... well, yes there are, but mostly local Tasmanian hardwoods, which are so plentiful that there isn't all that muich call for non-native species. I can actually get teak here, but at about $32 per super foot, I really don't want to go there unless I absolutely have to.

[donw_s11]

Hi,

I've got a 1986 model 38 ft sailboat that we are refitting, so I've done my fair share of searching for various items. I've come across a number of specialty supply places that can supply teak veneers, plywood, and solid moldings on the web.

Since I don't know where you are at the moment, or exactly what you are looking for, my best suggestion is a google search using "teak molding" or whatever you are looking for.

Good luck,

Don W.

[Alan Wheeler]

Since I don't know where you are at the moment,

Ummm, on the left, you will see the posters name. Directly below that is Location. Which is Tasmania.
Last I asked, which was some time ago, Teak was NZ$9500.00 per cubic metre. I am now using Mahogany, Kwila, and Matia(NZ native black pine). Hard as hobnails.

[Boracay]

I can't see why you would not use Aussie hardwoods if your tools are sharp and your machinery good.

You can probably get matching plywood.

Teak is a hard wood that is naturally impregnated with silicon. Good if you can get it but very expensive in smallish quantities. It does need an experienced hand.

If you can take extra care and make sure that all surfaces are properly protected (thinned epoxy or similar) then some of the nicer hardwoods should be just as good.

I believe that there is still a bit of Hoop Pine in Tassie, and there could also be ply made from it. Why not use that?

[Joli]

Just bought 7 board foot and almost fell over, $20/bf. last time I bought it was $13/bf and that was only a year ago.

It does machine nice though and looks lovely when varnished.

[GordMay]

Sydney Wood Industries: Teak Specialists|Marine Timber|Hardwood Floating Floor|Decking Systems|Burmese Teak Exotic Timbers|Sydney Wood Industries - Marine Timbers
Unit 6, 8 Wilmette Place
Mona Vale NSW 2103
Tel: + 612 9999 6613
Fax: +612 9999 6617
Email: sales@sydneywood.com.au
Website: Teak Specialists|Marine Timber|Hardwood Floating Floor|Decking Systems|Burmese Teak Exotic Timbers|Sydney Wood Industries - Home


Andaman Teak Supplies Pty Limited: Andaman Teak Supplies Home
59 Magnesium Drive
Crestmead, Queensland 4132
Tel: +61 (0)7 3803 1115
Fax: +61 (0)7 3803 1118
Email: andamanteak@bigpond.com

[Weyalan]

Thanks Gord. A font of knowledge, as always. I had found the first link with trusty googling, but the second one is a new one.

[Chief Engineer]

From what I have heard, the crooks on Capitoal Hill are close to passing a law that will ban teak and other exotic woods from the US....To save the rainforests...

[Weyalan]

After discussing things with Lisa, we have decided that we aren't going to pay silly prices for teak when there are so many local Tasmanian woods we can use instead. We have 1 final avenue for teak; a friend has just finished a huge refit of his 50' yacht and may well have some left over that he will let us have for "beer money", otherwise it is going to be a local wood, probably Huon Pine.

I'm off to the local timber seller today to buy some Western Red Cedar for cleats & battens.

Thank you all for your advice

[Boracay]

I would have thought that Western Red Cedar was a little too soft and weak for cleats. I seem to recall (memory is growing dim) a propensity for hidden fractures.

My preference would be spotted gum.

[Weyalan]

Thanks for the heads up... I will look into it.

[Wotname]

Weyalan, I am with Boracay, stay away from WRC for any loading bearing applications.
As for Huon pine, I would have thought it would be more expensive than teak and only available in limited quantities - let me know how it compares in price and availability if you go down that road.

[Spirit28]

Agree with the thoughts that Western Red Cedar is not good for load bearing or anywhere it may get bumped as it dings very easily. It is great in applications for trim say for covering joins in headliners etc.

In my previous boat, I used Tasmanian Blackwood in a number of areas - if you are careful with timber selection you can get pieces that have almost the same colouring as teak - needs to be well sealed to prevent moisture ingress as it does turn black like tas oak if immersed in water for long periods (eg bilge)....

A cheaper alternative to huon pine (Huon is still avail in reasonable quantities here in Tas - a bloke was advertising enough wood to build a 40'er in the local paper the other week) is celery top pine - again widely used in marine work here - even used as decking (when left bare, it weathers to a similar appearance to teak). When used down below and finished with your choice of varinsh, oil etc, after 6 months or so you would be hard pressed to pick the difference between huon & celery. It is just as easy to work with.

A couple of years ago, we had our kitchen (at home...) re done - the cabinet maker accidently used some huon pine instead of celery in a a couple of trim pieces around the oven - stood out like dogs ... for a while, but now the only way to tell the difference is that you can still smell that distinctive smell that comes from huon.

my .02c