bogiesan wrote:
Ignore all the rantings about appropriate wood stocks for serious go boards. You can make a board out of anything you want to including slabs of concrete or granite or silicone. Go for it, try to have fun, and buy enough stock to build two units; the first one might not work out correctly.
*My* rantings are about collecting enough information for wider recommendations on woods, especially those wood types available outside of Asia. If the burden and cost are low, I certainly agree with just trying it (and the advice on building two units). My focus prevented me from this, potently best, recommendation of "just do it". Lots of materials will result in a playable board and I'm sure you'll greatly enjoy your homemade board!
Though I would add that the Janka hardness of the wood might affect what material your stones are made of, whether you risk breaking slate and shell, or glass, or just go with plastic (or wood).