Ipe Tenon Size

[Birdhunter]

I'm building a bunch of benches for my club out of 1"X6" Ipe. I believe the stock is 3/4" thick. The benches will be outdoors and be exposed to sun and rain, thus the Ipe.

I've never worked with Ipe before. My guess is that either #8 or #10 Sipo tenons would work.

Which size would be best?

 

[peter halle]

I think that your choices based on the thickness are more in the 5mm and 6 mm range based on the general 1/3 of workpiece thickness.

Peter

 

[leakyroof]

+1 on basing tenon choice off the material thickness . Next, plunge SLOWLY for ipe and other hard/dense tropical woods when using your Domino.

 

[TooManytoys]

And I would suggest a mask and gloves if you've shown any allergies.

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My research says mortise and tenon (Domino) with pins works best with Ipe. Also, Gorilla Glue is highly recommended as is wetting the glued surfaces.

I'd hate to have a bench fail and dump someone due to a joint failure.

 

[jacko9]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My research says mortise and tenon (Domino) with pins works best with Ipe. Also, Gorilla Glue is highly recommended as is wetting the glued surfaces.

I'd hate to have a bench fail and dump someone due to a joint failure.

I personally would skip the Gorilla Glue and use Titebond III.  I have used it to glue all kinds of oily wood and it works great and while poly glue requires water, oily woods are best joined wiping with Acetone before using a glue like Titebond or Epoxy.  I also don't see a need to pin the Dominos unless you want to do it for decorative purposes.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

Do you use acetone in the freshly cut mortise?

 

[jacko9]

Do you use acetone in the freshly cut mortise?

I use Acetone just before applying glue.  I have made several tables and cabinets out of rosewood, teak, and other oily exotics.  I wipe until the rag comes out fairly clean and then glue.  I also use acetone before finishing oily wood since the oils can interfere with some kinds of finish.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

Great info.

 

[TooManytoys]

Jack,

Off topic, but what are currently using as a finish on Ipe?  What I used to use is no longer available.  

Here's my little deck off the back that I did a few years back:

 

[RADuffy]

@toomanytoys, that is a sweet deck, I'd love a deck like that... Maybe some day

 

[jacko9]

Jack,

Off topic, but what are currently using as a finish on Ipe?  What I used to use is no longer available.  

Here's my little deck off the back that I did a few years back:

I'm using Ipe Oil from DeckWise, it's difficult getting good product in California.

Jack

 

[TooManytoys]

NJ too.  [crying]

 

[mdelrossi]

@ toomanytoys,
what did you use?

 

[TooManytoys]

That was TWP 116 "Rustic", not available now in states with VOC regulations.  I had a few gallons when it was available, needed two coats per year.  In the shade it lasted longer.

I haven't tried the new low VOC 1500 series, but like most "greener" materials I'm not confident it will hold up as well.  On other exterior woods it held up to over 3 years.

I've found the acetone wipe helps with finish holding on these oily woods, but the oil in the lower fibers does migrate up and the finish does not last as long as with non-oily woods.  The TWP 100 series was nice because it did provide a satin sheen on the Ipe with two coats each time. 

 

[TooManytoys]

Thanks RADuffy.

The next summer I added a Bluestone patio to compliment the deck.  Unfortunately it was monsson season when digging the base, although the new "pool" moved me to install a drainage system under it.  The stone is rimed with Ipe as well as the boards under the doors, although they are not stained in this image.  Grass has grown back, too.

This is so far away from talking about an Ipe table, but what brought me to this thread is my wife wants an Ipe table and a new deck chairs.  So its getting back to the OPs post.

 

[Birdhunter]

I swapped my #12 tenons for #8 Sipo. Looks like a much better size.

Question, if I don't use any finish on the Ipe benches, do they turn gray?

 

[jacko9]

I swapped my #12 tenons for #8 Sipo. Looks like a much better size.

Question, if I don't use any finish on the Ipe benches, do they turn gray?

Eventually they will turn grey but benches will hold up better than decks.  I have a gate that I put one coat on a year ago and it still looks good even in the California sun..

Again, I would use either Titebond III or West Systems G-Flex Epoxy for the joints.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks.

I've got stainless steel screws, Titebond III, 8mm tenons for the Domino 700, and a plan of attack.

I even bought some premium pine 1X6 boards to build a prototype.

I'm still not sure how to attach the bench seat to the understructure so as to allow for movement. I've used Z-Clamps for the small tables I've built. I guess they would work for a bench.

 

[jacko9]

Thanks.

I've got stainless steel screws, Titebond III, 8mm tenons for the Domino 700, and a plan of attack.

I even bought some premium pine 1X6 boards to build a prototype.

I'm still not sure how to attach the bench seat to the understructure so as to allow for movement. I've used Z-Clamps for the small tables I've built. I guess they would work for a bench.

I suspect that Ipe is not going to move too much but, if you drill a hole for the screws and then widen the hole to a slot on top with a rat tail file you get some room for movement.

Jack