Reconstituted teak

[deep denial]

It looks as though I might have to replace the teak cap rail on my bulwarks. An article last year in pbo mentioned reconstituted teak which might very well be suitable - but I can’t seem to find any suppliers, or even any mention of it online. Can anyone help?
Thanks

 

[Keith 66]

Maybe i ought to keep the teak sawdust when im machining some & reconstitute it! Pressed into planks with resin of some kind?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Didn't Spirit use something of that nature?

 

[Wansworth]

Iroko

 

[DJA]

Another option is Afromosia, looks very similar to teak, is stable and durable. It gives a lovely grain, I've used it for various bits and looks very much like teak, feels a bit harder than teak when working it.

I would also second what Wansworth recommends, I recently brought some old Iroko planks from a garage sale thinking they were teak, only noticed they were Iroko when I got home after having a better look, didn't cost much so still a good deal for Iroko.

 

[deep denial]

Maybe - I know about the alternatives. Meanwhile I would still like to find a supplier of reconstituted teak. Does anyone know where to find them, as apparently several do exist according to the article?

 

[ianc1200]

Slight thread drift - I read somewhere, perhaps the Woodenboat Forum or their FB pages, about reconstituted Ash, something being done to give it much better resistance to rot but also having the appearance of Teak & being used widely by boatbuilders in Europe.

Edit - the post says "Really interested to know if any of you have any experience with this product. It's actually English Ash, which has been kilned at higher temperatures than usual. The product is often known as TMT (thermally modified timber). As I understand it, the durability and stability of the timber are increased using this process, and the colour is clearly changed. I have some samples which I will be testing for strength, bend, bonding and coating adhesion. It would be great to hear any experiences or ideas. The process has been around for years (I first came across it around 15 years ago). This Ash is now in the durability category 2 alongside Oak. Other timbers have been used, I also have a sample of Sycamore which looks similar and was offered to me by a well known timber supplier as a Teak deck alternative......"
A reply says it's thermally modified Maple which is being used as a Teak substitute by European boatbuilders - "I’ve seen thermally modified maple, which is being used, for years now, as a teak replacement in Europe. On big yachts. Like 70 meter yachts. My teak supplier thinks it’s great stuff."

The image is the thermally modified Ash.

 

[benjenbav]

It looks as though I might have to replace the teak cap rail on my bulwarks. An article last year in pbo mentioned reconstituted teak which might very well be suitable - but I can’t seem to find any suppliers, or even any mention of it online. Can anyone help?
Thanks

Timbmet Ltd | National Historic Ships

This link might help. I say ‘might’ because, before Myanmar banned the export of wild-grown teak, Timbnet was one of the main importers to UK. Since then the company has changed completely and been sold by the original owners. Nevertheless, there may be someone who would be willing and able to point you in the right direction.

 

[deep denial]

Slight thread drift - I read somewhere, perhaps the Woodenboat Forum or their FB pages, about reconstituted Ash, something being done to give it much better resistance to rot but also having the appearance of Teak & being used widely by boatbuilders in Europe.

Edit - the post says "Really interested to know if any of you have any experience with this product. It's actually English Ash, which has been kilned at higher temperatures than usual. The product is often known as TMT (thermally modified timber). As I understand it, the durability and stability of the timber are increased using this process, and the colour is clearly changed. I have some samples which I will be testing for strength, bend, bonding and coating adhesion. It would be great to hear any experiences or ideas. The process has been around for years (I first came across it around 15 years ago). This Ash is now in the durability category 2 alongside Oak. Other timbers have been used, I also have a sample of Sycamore which looks similar and was offered to me by a well known timber supplier as a Teak deck alternative......"
A reply says it's thermally modified Maple which is being used as a Teak substitute by European boatbuilders - "I’ve seen thermally modified maple, which is being used, for years now, as a teak replacement in Europe. On big yachts. Like 70 meter yachts. My teak supplier thinks it’s great stuff."

The image is the thermally modified Ash.

View attachment 190972

Er yes, but it’s not reconstituted it’s heat treated. So back to my question - anyone know of any suppliers?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Another option is Afromosia, looks very similar to teak, is stable and durable. It gives a lovely grain, I've used it for various bits and looks very much like teak, feels a bit harder than teak when working it.

I would also second what Wansworth recommends, I recently brought some old Iroko planks from a garage sale thinking they were teak, only noticed they were Iroko when I got home after having a better look, didn't cost much so still a good deal for Iroko.

Afromosia is no longer available as new wood; it's on the CITES register. You'll only find it as old stock or recycled wood.

 

[Tranona]

Don't recall that article, but suspect they were talking about teak veneers which are now commonly made of "reconstituted" wood. Google Search

As you say there have been alternatives usually heat treated softwoods but they do not seem to have gained any traction in the market. For a cap rail perhaps seek out some second hand teak or use Iroko.

 

[PCUK]

What sizes do you need?

 

[ianc1200]

Afromosia is no longer available as new wood; it's on the CITES register. You'll only find it as old stock or recycled wood.

A friend had a Fred Parker designed, Moody's built centre wheelhouse motorcruiser, the cabin sides were Afromosia, but these were close to being black in colour. Not the normal water ingress under varnish etc, but from what i read at the time this happens to Afromosia, it goes black eventually.

 

[Wansworth]

A friend had a Fred Parker designed, Moody's built centre wheelhouse motorcruiser, the cabin sides were Afromosia, but these were close to being black in colour. Not the normal water ingress under varnish etc, but from what i read at the time this happens to Afromosia, it goes black eventually.

My father had a Halcyon 27 built by Offshore yacht sack in the 1970 all the exterior wood looked like Afromosia,dense and very dark ,didn’t look very nice color wise…but maybe they had dyed it to get uniformity?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

A friend had a Fred Parker designed, Moody's built centre wheelhouse motorcruiser, the cabin sides were Afromosia, but these were close to being black in colour. Not the normal water ingress under varnish etc, but from what i read at the time this happens to Afromosia, it goes black eventually.

Yes; my dad had a Halcyon 27 with Afromosia cockpit sides. Unlike teak, it stays dark and doesn't weather. Excellent wood, but now unavailable.

 

[deep denial]

What sizes do you need?

Suitable for a cap rail, total length 35m.

 

[PCUK]

Size?

 

[deep denial]

I don’t know exactly - about 4” wide by 2” thick I should imagine. Why?

 

[PCUK]

Thought you might be interested in real Teak.