07-08-2008, 03:20 AM
You must realize that ohia is not certified for constructional purposes and strictly speaking isn't permit-able. One of the million things in permitted building that they choose to randomly enforce or ignore.
I've had no problems at all with tools working with ohia, it cuts, drills and planes as easy as any other figured mahog type wood. It's very unstable, and hard to do nice work with as it moves all over in changes in humidity. If you get it together, it's stunning for sure, but a hassle. I'm trying to try out a new electric guitar body but we'll see. Nice tone wood, really.
PEG is usually used to stabilize such woods, but I've had good results using cheap antifreeze, and giving a good paint down for a week or two and soaking the ends.
I've had no problems at all with tools working with ohia, it cuts, drills and planes as easy as any other figured mahog type wood. It's very unstable, and hard to do nice work with as it moves all over in changes in humidity. If you get it together, it's stunning for sure, but a hassle. I'm trying to try out a new electric guitar body but we'll see. Nice tone wood, really.
PEG is usually used to stabilize such woods, but I've had good results using cheap antifreeze, and giving a good paint down for a week or two and soaking the ends.