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| Metaform |
| This company creates fine, contemporary furniture from eucalypt hardwoods grown in Queensland. |
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Established in 1994, Metaform Australis is a co-operative of furniture and related product manufacturers, Queensland's wood processors and State and Federal government departments. Together they have spent years researching how heavy eucalypt hardwoods can be used for furniture making.
In the past, eucalypt hardwood has been used for floorboards, wall linings, house frames and fences. The idea of using these timbers for furniture appeared out of the question.
The natural strength and durability of eucalypt hardwood timber inspired Metaform Australis. Because the timber is so heavy and strong they figured they could take advantage of its natural strength and reduce the size of the furniture components, reducing weight and creating something uniquely Australian.
The range of furniture has used native timbers like honey gum, rose gum, brandy gum and golden gum. These are harvested primarily from re-growth native forests and an increasing amount is harvested from plantations.
NEW TECHNIQUES:
Research was undertaken to investigate how eucalypt hardwood timber could be used for furniture design and manufacture. Primary processes such as saw drying and grading; jointing systems and working with the timber were studied.
Working wood:
The conventional machinery used for dressing lighter traditional cabinet timbers proved inappropriate for eucalypts and produced an unacceptable rough finish. After a series of tests, they found they could produce a fine surface if planer blades were ground and mounted in a specific way.
Joining wood:
Gluing eucalypts has proved difficult to chemicals that occur naturally in the wood. These chemicals also make the wood difficult to bond to using conventional glues because they are waxy and repel water. To solve this problem a special formulation of PVA was developed that could effectively bond the wood immediately after it is dressed. When this can't be achieved in the manufacturing process, dry joints and fasteners can be used.
Primary processing:
You may have noticed previously that green hardwood splits on the surface when it dries in the sun. The splits or "checks" as we call them occur because the sun dries the wood too quickly. The drying rate can be slowed down by various means, however to attain the quality required for furniture, the green sawn wood is dried in a kiln according to very specific schedules for temperature and humidity. For furniture uses, eucalypt hardwood must have slightly less moisture than hardwood used for other purposes. |
Cost
Individual furniture pieces vary from $300 to $4,000 each.
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More Info
Contact Janda Furniture:
Ph: 07 3265 7677
Fax: 07 3265 5154
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Disclaimer
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