> Martin Secrest wrote:
> >
> >Scrub off the old veneer with a good orbital sander, taking the dash down
> >to the first layer of sub-lattice. (Incidentally, plywood has more
> >strength than a solid piece of wood of the same size.)
> >
>
> >Martin Secrest
> >73 GT6
> >72 TR6
>
> I am sure that plywood is stronger, but I have been toying with the
> idea of planing a piece of mahogany down to proper thickness and making
> my own dash. Just what is the proper thickness, and would it be
> foolhardy to think that solid mahogany (or walnut) at that thickness
> would hold up? Has anyone done this? Also, I have a couple of ideas
> about how to get perfect holes cut for the big instruments, but any
> first hand experience would help a lot.
>
> Tim Gaines
> 1980 Spitfire
> 1974 TR6
I'm hardly the expert (I started this thread!), but I know that solid pieces
of wood, especially the Spitfire/GT6 shapes, would be highly susceptible to
warping. I used to work for a cabinetmaker, and down here where I live in
the Deep South, I know that solid hardwoods are not very "stable" because of
the extreme changes in humidity. Others may have had experiences that
contradict that, but depending on the climate where you live, I would think
it would certainly be something to consider.
Ian Frearson
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