Teak lumber

[Tcubed66]

I’m repainting my dorades and while removing them I noticed that the teak they were mounted to needs replacing. Super weather worn and one has a crack. Is it possible to get teak in wide widths of 10”? Source recommendation? Or would it be ok to glue up smaller pieces? These are exterior items so need to be weatherproof as possible. Thanks as always.

[Orion Jim]

Yes you can glue smaller pieces for that application. Use Titebond 3 for success. Follow the clamping directions and you’ll be fine.
My teak dorade boxes have smoked 3/8” Lexan covers which let a little light in and look fine.

[tkeithlu]

Bunches of sources under "teak lumber" on Google. If you need to join two pieces, you may need to find a local furniture guy. The cut edges have to be very smooth and very flat, and then be clamped together with glue. Those guys do that all the time, but I think that even my new table saw and fine-toothed blade would not get the two sides to match perfectly. Tell him to use waterproof glue.

[clockwork orange]

Dorados are a fish, what you have are Dorade boxes, named after the boat they were supposedly first used on. Yes, teak does come in much wider widths than 10" or you can glue narrower pieces together. Using acrylic as suggested makes sense too.

[Tcubed66]

Thank for the spelling lesson....and your effort to help..I have not been able to edit the mistake. Also during my search for wide teak where? I have looked and not easy to find..

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Tcubed66

Thank for the spelling lesson....and your effort to help..I have not been able to edit the mistake. Also during my search for wide teak where? I have looked and not easy to find..

Have you thought about edge gluing a few smaller pieces to make a 10" wide board?

[Jackg]

I edge glue teak all the time. Use West System Gflex glue, which is specially formulated for oily woods like teak.

[Tcubed66]

I have thought about edge gluing smaller pieces but seeing that I will need to buy teak for the project anyhow I thought I could just buy in a solid board. If I can’t buy it what/how to prep the edges to glue as far as edging?

[Jackg]

Here in MD you can get wide teak but it's extra pricey.


With Gflex you don't need a perfect joint, but getting it right looks better. With Tightbond it has to be pretty darn perfect. I use a jointer to get a smooth and square edge. It is possible to do so with a table saw but you need pretty good technique.

[Kelkara]

before gluing oily woods like teak, wipe down the edges with acetone to remove any oils from the surfaces which can weaken the glue bond.

[darylat8750]

If you don't have a joiner the edges can be matched with a sharp hand plane and patience.

[clockwork orange]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

before gluing oily woods like teak, wipe down the edges with acetone to remove any oils from the surfaces which can weaken the glue bond.

When i first started boatbuilding in the early 70s we used carbon tetrachloride to degrease teak, it was great, but then they banned it. Then we used methelene chloride, not quite as good but pretty good, then they banned it. Now we use acetone,

[Souzag818]

I second all the advice concerning jointer the edges, wipe with acetone prior to glue up, epoxy glue...On my first boat glued up my teak toerails with a scarf joint following that process over 25 years ago. Still together.

[Capt Clark]

Tcubed66,

No problem here in Havami... uh, Miami getting those widths. If you want to replace those with solid pieces, let me know and we can source them here and send them to you. Happy to help.

Capt Clark

[LakeSuperior]

Can edge glue with resorcinol as it works great with teak.