In Reply to: Yes, but,,no but posted by trisha on Thursday, 22. February 2007 at 09:13 Bali Time:
The old rule is that you either make sure the teak is 'old' (recycled) or kiln dried. That's why you'd have had no trouble at all with your 3 metre table.
The smaller the piece of teak the less trouble you'll have. When you get to things the size of dining tables with NEW teak (that haven't been kiln dried) you will more often than not get separation. I've seen pieces come out of the containers with splits running the length of the table and up to 6mm wide. I've also seen rivets in reclining chairs positioned so poorly that the arm is bound to break as soon as any pressure is put on it.... and we were supposed to sell this stuff!
That's one of the reasons old HK stopped selling furniture because he had to keep replacing collapsed chairs, split tables etc. I can give you a list of all the bad ones I know of if you like.
Your right, most of the teak all over Indo (so Bali) does come from the plantations in Java but the better factories in Java have the right machinery to give a more professional job.
The guys we used to use in central Java that I mentioned in the earlier string kiln dry for 30 days. There is nothing like this sort of set up in Bali... howver, it took us three years to find these guys!
Usually kiln drying is done by sitting the article out in the midday sun on the side of the road.
Don't get me wrong, we have some great pieces in our house from Bali and there are some wonderful people their making lovely furniture (I think we'd passed on some of our old contacts to you?). but in general believe that the highest quality comes out of Java ... personal opinion again from my own observatons and business relationships.
If you've still got my mobile number send me a text with your email addy and I'll let you know of a few good places in Java to have a look at. You should get over and have alook if you haven't yet. One of our best trips to Indo was with HK, Dewi and us driving through Java - top scenery and people.
We're over in June so if you're around we can catch up.