Wood ID

[Jason Rodgers]

Hi, folks. I need some help identifying a piece of wood. A couple weeks ago, I picked up this billet of what I thought was spruce at an estate sale for $5. As is often the case, a estate sale company was running the show, and nobody new anything about it. I emailed Chuck Tweedy for some help in identifying, and after cleaning up a few surfaces, and splitting a test block, we agree that it's NOT a softwood and likely not domestic.

This billet measures 45-1/2" long, 9-3/4" wide, and a hair under 2-1/4" thick. Weight is 14lbs 10oz, putting it at about 25 lbs/ft3. Surface is rather rough cut.

The first pictures are of surface observations. I don't know enough about the various bits of info in a mill stamp to make sense of the origins. The board has funny occlusions that run (I think) radially, like some sort of huge medulary rays. A closeup shows that they go right through and contain dessicated fibers.

[Jason Rodgers]

The next shots are of planed surfaces and the resulting shavings. Edge, face, and edge and face shavings (left to right) with one of the extracted pocket thingies.

Notice, no growth rings, but pores.

[Jason Rodgers]

Final shot is a little block that I cut off and split (and reassembled to show orientation in the billet).

The angle that follows the white pencil lines split cleanly and readily, while the other angle split roughly and with some torquing.

Any idea what this might be? Thanks for your help!

[Chuck Tweedy]

As I told Jason, I think the freaky looking through-hole defects are knots. Or, maybe more exactly, branch inclusions. Since they run radially and have fibers running radially, I think they were small branches that died - then this fast growing tree just grew over them. At least that's what it looks like to me.

If it is Tacote wood, then I think he should make Vihuelas. It is the right density, color, grain structure, etc.

[Mark Swanson]

If you could identify that language printed on it you might be able to find the part of the world where it has its origin. The lack of growth rings says that it was grown in a tropical location I bet. White limba? Phillipine mahogany?

[Clay Schaeffer]

Bass wood?



This isn't Mexican April 1 is it?....... <g>

[Jason Rodgers]

This isn't Mexican April 1 is it?....... <g>

While my association with Mr. Tweedy certainly would hint at such Tomfoolery, and while he very well may have suggested said Tomfoolery, I bring forth this case in all honesty!

[Chuck Tweedy]

Yet again my mere presence has tainted a perfectly legitimate thread.

Eeeexxxxxcellent!

[Mark Swanson]

You are a legend, Chuck!

[Steve Senseney]

Do we need to created a "legend" section?

[Chuck Tweedy]

But I would be alone.

No, Howard would be in there with me ... but he's never around any more ...

Wait, did I derail another thread??
I swear I just put a quarter on the track

[Jason Rodgers]

Points to Mr. Schaeffer for suspecting the Tweedy-fication of this thread!

Now what the frick is this wood?!

[Larry Davis]

All living trees produce growth rings, however tropical forests do not have growing "seasons" as temperate forests do. Tropical woods do not exhibit early and late definitions in each yearly growth ring as temperate woods do.

[Jason Rodgers]

Ah, Larry, I hoped you'd show up. Any idea about this pale, possibly tropical wood? Would any better/different pictures help?

[Michael Lewis]

I didn't see a pic of the end grain. It might be helpful. If those holes are radial then that is a flat sawn plank. Are you sure the holes are not made by bugs?

Cut some samples to test stiffness, bending resistance, creep, etc. If it tests well then use it for whatever it is suitable for.

[Jason Rodgers]

The end grain is as nondescript as any other plane. But yes, I think this plank is mostly flatsawn. No, I'm not sure what made these holes: they are all fairly uniform in shape and size, follow the same path through the wood, and contain that shrively bit of fibers.

[Chuck Tweedy]

I think what everyone is saying is

[Jason Rodgers]

I think what everyone is saying is

Yup. Thanks anyways, folks. I'll play with it and see what I can learn about its working properties.