Tiller

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Can a tiller be made from top grade mahogony alone, ie, not laminated with other woods?the tiller would be aprox 900 long x50x40mm.
BTW I have access to 2 of 7'x6"xaprox2" planks of this mahogony and 1 plank aprox 5'x6"x2",
Can anyone say how much it would be worth? if I were to make the guy an offer. It is really good quality, and has been lying in a retired joiner's garage for aprox 20-25yrs., and is perfect.
Cheers, C_W

 

[machurley22]

Probably.

I made one two years ago from what I think was an old piece of mahogany. Mine is slightly smaller than yours at approx 600-700mm long and approx 35-40mm squareish and it has lasted fine so far. I used the old one as a template and was able to position it in such a way that the slight curve in the tiller almost perfectly followed the grain of the wood. It might be more problematic if you have a pronounced curve in the shape of your tiller.

No idea as to value of the wood you have found. Hopefully someone who actually knows what they are talking about will be along shortly. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MM5AHO]

I've bought hardwood from this place...
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/gibson-craftwood

before, so scanning his prices might give some idea.

I think grain is the most important thing to consider. If your line of cut can follow the grain, then its far less likely to break.
Depends too on the boat, and its handling. Excessive tiller strain? Or lightweight touch all thats required?

 

[andrewbodenham]

There's no reason why a tiller shouldn't be made from any suitable wood. The performance criteria are sufficient strength, durability and stability. So it's a combination of material properties, design and detailing. Mahogany is a strong, reliable wood which should perform well if the other factors are suitably taken care of.

As for price, it depends how much you want it, how much you are prepared to pay, how hard you want to bargain and how much the seller wants to shift / hang onto the timber.
For top notch timber like this I'd probably pay up to £50 cu.ft., though I'd hope to pay £30cu.ft or less. The pieces described make about 1.6 cu.ft, so you don't want to be going over £80. I'd start at £40 and work up from there. Or ask how much he wants - if he says £20 then you're sorted!

 

[geoffatstanpit]

Ash is probably best for strength but it rots eventually if it can get wet for long periods so it's not good if the tiller goes into a SS socket.

 

[Adamastor]

Your mahogany's worthless! Especially if it's so old- it'll probably be completely stale! Have your friend send it to me- I have a Mahogany Disposal Facility which will safely and effectively remove the problem by recycling!
Seriously- if it's clear and as old as you say, any price will be a bargain, and probably Honduras, delicious to work and far too nice to be a tiller. Over here we don't get the opportunity to make decent timber tillers- most are laminated or welded ali! I'm SOOOO envious!

 

[pcatterall]

Current wood yard price would be around £100 for the 3 pieces. Perhaps £10 for the 5 foot length you need, but worth buying the lot if you can get it cheap and store it.

 

[Slow_boat]

No reason at all that you shouldn't use mahogany. It used to be very common.

n.b. I once saw a hickory axe handle used as a tiller. May be an idea for an emergency tiller?

 

[davierobb]

I used mahog plus american maple from local timber yard (Alexanders Prestwick). The maple was offcuts and cost £5.

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Thanks all for your replies and advice.
I think my present tiller is made from mahogony, but cant be sure.
Dont have time for laminating one, although they always look great, so will aproach my neighbour in a gentle maner, perhaps a half bottle of a strong spirit might bring the price down considerably.
Cheers, C_W.

 

[Steveandelfrys]

If its any help I would go for the mahogony - tell him you'll take it off his hands!! the only thing I would check make sure the grain goes along the proposed tiller in both planes (ie looking at it from the top and from the side) - if the grain goes across instead of length wise its known as short grain and can break easily at this point - Laminating is easier than it looks - make sure it is odd numbers of laminates 3 5 7 etc - if you are use cascaphen glue (boat building) or bison timbertix (an expanding polyurathane glue that needs water to go off). Craft supplies has a catologue that has prices in for just about every wood in the world (or they used to) - if not tell jewsons you are interested and want a price. DO IT YOU KNOW YOU CAN!