What species of wood is this?

[4nthony]

I found this wood in the garage after moving in last year. It's an almost perfect 2x4 and my thought was that it might be old-school Redwood construction lumber. I know Redwood was pretty common in Southern California back in the day, but it's unlike any of the framing in the house (built in 1949).

It's very dense and heavy, with a tight grain pattern. I've got a couple small projects in mind for the pieces.

Any thoughts about what species of wood it might be?

 

[jeffinsgf]

At first glance, it looks like Ipe to me. If it's dense and heavy, it isn't Redwood.

 

[nexsim]

Brazilian walnut (Ipe)

 

[4nthony]

I would've never expected to find Ipe scraps but I think you guys are right. The deck boards on this site look almost identical.
https://hardwooddeckingsupply.com/product/ipe-decking-2-x-4/

Thanks!
[cool]

 

[4nthony]

I spent some time reading up on using Ipe for woodworking projects and it seems like the general consensus is it's pretty nasty stuff to work with. Hard on tools and blades, doesn't glue very well, and difficult to finish in addition to the dust being much more irritating and toxic than other woods.

I had been thinking of making some pen and catch-all trays which would've required a fair amount of routing but I no longer think it's worth it.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/forum/ipe-for-projectshttps://www.finewoodworking.com/forum/any-experience-with-ipe

 

[rvieceli]

You might want to take a look at one of Goby Walnut's project boxes for some similar size pieces of Oregon walnut. $40
https://gobywalnut.com/collections/shorts-by-the-box/products/walnut-turning-blanks-by-the-box

Ron

 

[guybo]

Make a modern mailbox and post or... outside

 

[Bryston]

I have some ipe. You need carbide tip everything to mill it. High speed steel won't cut it on your planer and jointer, it'll ruin the edge. A fresh set of knives may do the trick but then there toast. I put an engineered deck over a built up roof on a school balcony years ago using this wood. It was shipped in sq made slats screwed together 2' by 2' if I remember correctly. We placed them on these plastic screw leveling pieces adjusted for the roof pitch. I only had to cut the ends with a circular saw. I had one of the square pieces outside on the ground for 10 years and it stayed together like steel. Very high on the janke scale. I would just put it on your lumber rack and forget it.

 

[Birdhunter]

I am a big fan of Ipe for outdoor items. Benches I made many years ago are still solid with no finish and subject to Georgia weather. The dust is nasty and protection (eye and nasal) is wise. A thorough shower after working the wood is wise.

I found TB 3 to work well. I did swab out mortises with pure alcohol. Predrill holes to avoid splits and burning up a screw driver.

Importantly, immediately seal the ends of boards after cutting to avoid splitting. I used thinned TB 3. It worked.

It is impervious to any bugs that live in Georgia. I’ve watched wasp try to peel off slivers and fly off frustrated.

I wish my house was built with the stuff.

 

[Cheese]

As Birdhunter mentioned, its real claim to fame is for outdoor furniture and decks however recently it's also being used as outdoor siding because of its Class A fire rating.

[attachimg=1]

 

[kevinculle]

Definitely Ipe!  I rebuilt 3 decks at my last home with it tjhat were about 1,000 square feet altogether.  I think the hard on tools reputation is overblown...carbide sawblades and jointer and planer inserts seem unfazed.  I ran a good bit of it through my bandsaw which has a steel blade, and it didn't seem to suffer unduly.  I continue to use the scraps for projects where Ipe's durability is a good fit.  I will acknowledge that the annual spring ritual of power washing, cleaning and oiling the decks got old.  That and the price were the only real downsides for me.

 

[Cheese]

I will acknowledge that the annual spring ritual of power washing, cleaning and oiling the decks got old.  That and the price were the only real downsides for me.

So power washing wasn't enough to remove the silver oxidation? Curious what the cleaning step involves?

 

[Birdhunter]

I cut a lot of Ipe making 10 benches using my Kapex. Didn’t notice and dulling. The benches are gray. But, the wood was never treated except to seal the ends. All my boards arrived planed and ready to use. I did not have to mill the boards.

 

[kevinculle]

So power washing wasn't enough to remove the silver oxidation? Curious what the cleaning step involves?

After a thorough power washing to strip away the sunbleached wood I would use Deckwise Two Part Cleaner and Brightener on the horizontal surfaces to fully restore the color and grain clarity.  Then a coat of Deckwise Ipe Oil.  It would look great for about 3 months then fade back through the fall and winter.  I would say the whole process took about 4-5 days.

 

[morts10n]

A fun experiment is to toss a scrap of ipe into a bucket of water. Take bets on "sink or float"

 

[Birdhunter]

Sink