I'm going to make a garden bench in a modernist arty style. I'm thinking of using Iroko hardwood but I don't know if it comes in the size I want. I'm looking for 350mm x 100mm cross section. Can you get it in this kind of size? If not, what is a good alternative timber?

Im sure you will get the size but it will cost mega shillings, Oak or teak might be an good alternative.

You'll get it easily at a timber supplier in a 8"x2" batten.

Dress up the edges, then rip at and bookmatch it to give somewhere near your size - allowing for dressing the edges. To get your required 50mm thickness would be difficult. I would glue it to a core of smeothing less exotic.

Be warned though, Iroko has a lovely straight grain, but as my old man used to say - "it's as hard as a wh*res heart"

Why not try for some cocobolo.

That's some nice looking wood, especially with the polish on that bass. Not the look I'm after though.

I've been quoted £36 per cu ft by a local supplier if they can get it in that size. They've said that they can't plane that size which concerns me at the amount of sanding or hand planing I'd have to do. It would be nice when its finished though.

Hi
I have some (what I am told is Iroko) timber
taken from a Arcade Mock electric chair.

Take a look of a sample of what I have at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/d_m.bright/wood.html

It may have some use but I have none as large in a single piece that you ask.

Martin

You should be able to get iroko in the size you want but you may have to look round for it,
it's been used as a cheaper substitute for teak for a long time in the boat and yacht building industry,
you wont get finished sizes as its sawn and you will loose an eighth to three sixteenth or more when its planed up, but thats not really a problem,

all of the other timbers mentioned will be more expensive except perhaps oak,
if you use oak don't use steel fastenings as they will stain the oak round where they fit black due to the chemicals reacting with the steel,

oak will weather to a grey colour, whereas iroko will turn a brown like in the photos,
its a nice darkish yellow when sawn but darkens with age,
and its only hard if your not a wood butcher !!!
try a search for hardwood importers or iroko and you should find plenty of suppliers,