X_HOBBES wrote:

What is IPE? I'm not familiar with it. I am probably going to build a
set of Adirondack chairs soon too but don't want to pay the $15/bf teak
costs around here.

Ipe is one of the several names given to South American hardwoods of the
tabebuia genus--"lapacho" is another common name, sometimes you'll also see
"Brazilian Walnut".

It's becoming popular in the US as deck material--it is highly decay
resistant and in addition it is very hard, very strong, and has pretty
decent stability as well. Its only real downsides are weight, the copious
amounts of fine yellow dust it produces when you work it, and its
unwillingness to absorb much of anything including finishes and
preservatives, not that it needs preservatives.

X_HOBBES


"John" wrote in message
...
Solid plastic "fake wood" decking should be fine for chairs and would
be a good choice for the top of that table as well. If REAL WOOD is
the ONLY choice, I think I would go with IPE decking wood, would last
a lifetime with minimal or no care

John

On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 11:21:22 GMT, "Mortimer Schnerd, RN"
wrote:

John wrote:
Personally I would use IPE for outdoor furniture, but other good woods
would include TEAK, Cypress, Redwood. Even some of the plastic/fake
wood used in decking - like TREX would be a good choice as well


Trex is OK for chairs? It sure would solve the problems associated with
my lack
of maintenance. I have a picnic table outside that somebody pointed out
needs a
new top. Of course, it's been out in the rain since 1986 and I've yet
to
put a
coat of anything on it. Treated pine from the borg, as I recall....

Trex would stay straight at least. My table changes contours with the
seasons.


--
--John
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(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)