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I am considering using mahogany for a project that would require considerable bending on a 1/8 x 1/8 strip as well as planks that are 3/32 x 3/8 nominal.

 

Will mahogany bend as I need or is it too brittle?

 

Thanks!

 

Ken

Current Build: Authentic Hannah Kit Bash

Pending Continuation: Sea of Galilee Boat

 

Completed Build:  MS AVS

On Shelf: AL Independence, Blue Jacket Alfred

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If you can get some samples, even old furniture pieces, legs, panels, whatever, you can cut down to size, give it a try.  Certainly they did some amazing things with mahogany.  You will probably have to steam it.

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One problem that you could have is getting an identity for the species of mahogany.   A lot of tropical sourced wood that is dark red is called mahogany.  I suspect that the species that CrisCraft used in the early 20th century is not easily found now.

 

If you are after the color, see if you can source some Black Cherry.   It scales better, bends fairly well when steamed, and should not be much different in cost.

NRG member 45 years

 

Current:  

HMS Centurion 1732 - 60-gun 4th rate - Navall Timber framing

HMS Beagle 1831 refiit  10-gun brig with a small mizzen - Navall (ish) Timber framing

The U.S. Ex. Ex. 1838-1842
Flying Fish 1838  pilot schooner -  framed - ready for stern timbers
Porpose II  1836  brigantine/brig - framed - ready for hawse and stern timbers
Vincennes  1825  Sloop-of-War  -  timbers assembled, need shaping
Peacock  1828  Sloop-of -War  -  timbers ready for assembly
Sea Gull  1838  pilot schooner -  timbers ready for assembly
Relief  1835  ship - timbers ready for assembly

Other

Portsmouth  1843  Sloop-of-War  -  timbers ready for assembly
Le Commerce de Marseilles  1788   118 cannons - framed

La Renommee 1744 Frigate - framed - ready for hawse and stern timbers

 

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Yo can use a technique that rubber powered model airplane builders use.  They take extremely thin strips, and laminate them into the curve they want.  The laminating process holds the curves very well.  They also still steam or soak them in hot water to bend to the approx shape before laminating.

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I used thick mahogany strips for my capping rails. It'll bend to a point very well after soaking in warm water and use of an iron. Though do this is steps until you get the desired bend. Otherwise it will break.

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Anton T

 

Current build

1/78 Sovereign of the Seas - Sergal - kit bashed

1/72 Arleigh Burke class DDG flight iia/iii - Sratch built RC - no log

 

Waiting for further inspiration

STS Leeuwin II 1/56 scratch built (90% completed)

 

Previous builds - completed

1/72 HMAS Brisbane, Airwarfare Destroyer 2014 -Scratch built RC - completed

1/64 HMS Diana 1796 - caldercraft kit - completed

1/75 Friesland 1668- mamoli kit - completed

1/96 HMAS Newcastle FFG 2011- scratch built RC - completed

1/75 Vasa - Billing Boats - completed

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