Strange 'lifting of grain' in some recycled timber.

**Bendigo Bob** · 24th March 2017, 04:41 PM

Well this has me stumped. I rescued about 30 metres of internal window and door framing timber from an office built in the early 70's. It must have been good stuff as it was originally varnished to show off the timber, until in the 90's some yokels painted it all white (including the beautiful veneer ply walls I rescued too, but that's another story)

I took one piece and put it through the planer to see what I had.

That's my first question, I can't make out what it is. The growth rings are quite distinctly dark and light, I guess the differing seasonal character of growth. If anyone can identify it, thanks

It is open grained in the lighter section, but not the darker parts.

Secondly, I noticed little flaps sticking up along only certain growth rings in particular, as in pic #1053. Foolishly I shot it through the thickie a few more times and lost a few mm in vain. STILL THERE!?? It is not due to planing against the grain, it just lifts. I will note that the piece is quarter sawn, but that is pretty much obvious I guess from the pics.

Sanding simply breaks off the lifted flap and leaves ugly holes as in #1055

Just for the heck I posted pics of the end of the board and the edge (#1056 and 1057)

Should I give up on this bit of wood? Has anyone else experienced this? Hand planing is not looking too welcome; it's pretty hard stuff!

DSC01057.jpg DSC01056.jpg DSC01055.jpg DSC01054.jpg DSC01053.jpg DSC01052.jpg

**Kuffy** · 24th March 2017, 04:57 PM

The lifting of the grain is just checks throughout the timber. Tubes, or pipes for want of a better description. if you look at your end grain photo 1056.jpg, starting from the left of photo, count over two growth rings. You can see the checks although the sawblade has crushed them slightly. They look like horizontal slits. There is another one growth ring over from right of photo. The timber looks like vic ash.

**Big Shed** · 24th March 2017, 05:08 PM

Yes, Mountain Ash etc etc.................

**cava** · 24th March 2017, 05:42 PM

I am in two (2) minds about this. Some pictures look like Vic Ash, and some like Meranti.

How hard is it?

**Bendigo Bob** · 24th March 2017, 05:57 PM

Quite hard cava. Sands really smooth too, silky smooth. I guess it was just how distinct the light and dark were in the rings that had me wondering, hadn't seen anything quite that pronounced in the few bits of Vic Ash I worked with so far. Thanks Kuffy.

**PJM16** · 24th March 2017, 07:42 PM

Lifted grain is a pain but can be worked with, I had some today in a table top, of similar looking timber. I simply sanded it through the usual stages we do but before my last sanding (180 grit), I used putty to fill it to hide it, the top looks good and those spots don't stand out much, just make sure you use the right colour, I used "Hardwood".

As for timber species, I'd say Vic Ash, Mountain Ash, Tassie Oak, the list goes on

**cava** · 24th March 2017, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob

Quite hard cava. Sands really smooth too, silky smooth. I guess it was just how distinct the light and dark were in the rings that had me wondering, hadn't seen anything quite that pronounced in the few bits of Vic Ash I worked with so far. Thanks Kuffy.

Then I would suggest, like others, Vic Ash.

**Bendigo Bob** · 24th March 2017, 09:29 PM

Thanks so much guys. I guess yes I need to just bear with it and try to find something to fill those voids where needed. After all, it's free timber!

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