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What have I got here?

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What have I got here?

Postby Mike G » 12 Oct 2021, 15:49

I've just collected the timber from a maybe 20 year old conservatory which a friend has demolished. I am not familiar with tropical hardwoods, so could someone tell me what I've got, please:

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I've got about 50 linear metres of 120 x 40 and 145 x 40, de-screwed and in great nick. :eusa-dance:
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Raymedullary » 12 Oct 2021, 15:54

Looks like white seraya, west African. Particularly if from a conservatory/window frames. Usually stained red and sold as "mahogany" to Joe public.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Mike G » 12 Oct 2021, 15:59

Thanks, RM. It was certainly stained red!

I've looked up white seraya and it is apparently from The Philipines/ Malaysia/ Indonesia.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Raymedullary » 12 Oct 2021, 16:05

Ah yes, I think I was thinking of Idigbo which looks similar and from W.A.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Malc2098 » 12 Oct 2021, 16:31

Is that what we know as 'rubber wood'?
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Richard » 12 Oct 2021, 16:57

I too would hazard a guess at one of the genus Shorea, of which there are about seventy species generally sold as some sort of meranti, or with alternative names. In this case I suggest what you've got might have been sold as light red meranti, light red seraya, or white lauan. Of course, I could be completely wrong; identifying wood species from snaps online can be very hit and miss. Slainte.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Mike G » 12 Oct 2021, 17:15

Thanks Richard.

I'm guessing that if it was meranti, it would be OK for boatbuilding, but if it is one of the Shorea species, it's likely that would be a gamble.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Trevanion » 12 Oct 2021, 18:08

I would concur with Mr. Jones that it looks like some form of what I would call Meranti, what timber is it exactly I have no idea as there are a dozen of species that look near identical.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Lurker » 13 Oct 2021, 07:57

There is one of those “mahogany” woods used for windows etc that really stinks when you plane it. Brought me out in a rash.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Mike G » 13 Oct 2021, 08:06

Lurker wrote:There is one of those “mahogany” woods used for windows etc that really stinks when you plane it. Brought me out in a rash.


I've no sense of smell, Jim, so I've no idea whether it stinks or not. And I sawed a whole lot of birdsmouths off and did a bit of planing....no rash resulting. So I'm not a lot of use in helping with the diagnosis of the species, I'm afraid.

It seems likely that this stuff will end up being used for an internal door, and for frame making on my boat project. The latter involves laminating it up with lashings of epoxy, so it almost doesn't matter what wood it is.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Mike Jordan » 13 Oct 2021, 08:44

My vote would be for Light red Meranti often sold as "Mahogany"
Edit - I wouldn't regard it as strong enough for many boat building jobs. It's other drawbacks include its being recognisable as a cheap substitute which I think would affect a surveyors opinion of the soundness of a boat.
Sorry if that sounds offensive in any way but my view of any boat is to regard it as a piece of craftsmanship for sale. Every part has to be of the best material and build,quality, just a few items of the fit out can make a huge impression.
I try to buy nothing from China.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Mike G » 13 Oct 2021, 09:10

Mike Jordan wrote:....Sorry if that sounds offensive in any way....


Not in the slightest, Mike. I need opinions and input at this stage, and you've more experience than most here.
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Re: What have I got here?

Postby Craig Salisbury » 13 Oct 2021, 16:26

It looks like meranti to me, is it quite light (weight)?
- I am not grumpy, im pragmatic
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