Thread: How can I identify cedar?

Can you please kindly add a few more real close-up pics please ,- not only of the turned pieces, - but of the actual head, and footboards, as genuine Eastern Australian Red Cedar has a distinctive grain pattern to it, especially on flat surfaces. Also, would you be able to take a clear photo or two of any sectoin that has NOT been sealed.
I did notice what looks like a Spray-Lacquer, "run," on one of verticle leg sections, therefore am wondering, " IF it is the real McCoy, " or has someone taken the easy way out, and subsistuted another timber, then sprayed a heavy coat or two of a Cedar-
coloured Lacquer over the timber to make it, " Look like Cedar, " to the average person, ( There's been some, " cunning critters," over the years who have deceived heaps of people,- and unfortunately made lotsa money doing it )
On the other hand,- IF the beds are the Real Thing,- then they are worth a, " mint. "-
several thousdand Dollars, or more,- EACH.
Best suggestion is see if you can find some local, " Oldie, " who has been a Sawmiller /Cabinetmaker / Furniture maker / restorer over the years, and get him / her to give you their honest opion.
Roger

That is definitely a run.

I remember them looking the same when I slept on one in the '60s, but I couldn't be sure they haven't had a "touch-up" as some stage.
I can't find any scratches to see true colour.
Mum always said that if I damage them, she'd snap my little fingers.

I've attached some more fuzzy photos. They're the best I could do with a phone.
I'll see the beds again on the weekend and take a real camera.

By the look of it, the metal fittings were left on during the lacquering.
I'll see if I can unscrew one and take a happy-snap of raw timber..
If you don't hear from me again, mum caught me doing it and I'm dead.

Could you please check this post again next week to see if I've been lucky.

Thanks and cheers
Bruce

The headboard pic shows a bit of figure that looks like it could be Aussie cedar, but I'm sure there are people on here who live closer to you, who could tell by looking.

I'd say the chances are very high that it's cedar, it certainly looks like it on the headboard. It wasn't rare or as relatively expensive, in 1955, so I can't see there would have been any advantage in substituting another wood - the savings would have been minimal. Cedar is a very soft wood - see if you can stick a fingernail into it somewhere out of sight (& when your fierce parent is out of the room). Another test is the weight - it's not a heavy wood (but those metal matress supports will be!).

Good luck with selling a pair of single beds - they don't seem to be too popular nowadays.....

Cheers,

Turn the beds upside down and sand the ends of the legs. Depending on the age etc of the tree the timber was taken from the colour should be anything from pink to to deep red/brown. The timber itself has a cinnamon like odour that you may be able to detect.

Another option is to contact Claw Hammer in newcastle and get his opinion.

Just a note and my two cents on the value side, I am not a professional valuer or dealer however spend a lot of my spare time at auctions and collecting/restoring old furniture particulary around the Hunter where I live.

Considering they are remakes of the originals, regardless of if they are cedar or not (looks like they are) I honestly can't see those beds fetching a few thousand each. More likely a few hundred. As mentioned above a pair of singles is not that popular - even a double now is hard to get a decent price for as they are now considered too small!

Let me know if you have no luck with a confirmation of the timber and I should be able to swing by and have a look

Thanks for everybody's advice.

I've had a chat with mum and we're in luck.
I'm going to take the foot of one of the beds to someone smarter than me.
Any suggestions who that may be, in the Hunter Valley? (Newcastle to Singleton)

Ideally, I'd like someone reputable to back me up, if I claim they are cedar.
Certificate of authenticity, valuation, willingness to be mentioned in the ad etc etc.

Who is this Claw Hammer bloke?
Is there somewhere better than eBay to sell things like this?

Chief012, thanks for your offer to check them out. I'll keep you up my sleeve.
Would you accept a sheet of F14 marine ply?
There's other furniture and "shed stuff", too.
(Dad fell off the perch recently and Mum is selling up)

Thanks again
Bruce

WOT?? thou knowest not Mr. Claw Hammer??

Have a look at the "Big Stuff" section and get onto him through a PM.

I've just spoketh to Mr Hama (not Hammer) and have been granted an audience for a blessing.
Nice guy.
I'll let you know how it went.

Originally Posted by Epistaxis

I've just spoketh to Mr Hama (not Hammer) and have been granted an audience for a blessing.
Nice guy.
I'll let you know how it went.

Oops!! My apologies to the venerable Claw!!

Well.....

Claw Hama had a good look at the foot of one bed.
He removed one of the fittings to expose a "less butchered" surface and gave it a good scrape.

Amongst the long, impressive words he used, I made out the following.
The outer layer is laquer, so tinted that it looks like brown paint in places.
Under that is shellac, which may be the original coat.
Under that is cedar. Yippee.
And he's willing to vouch for the authenticity to potential buyers.

Anyone want to make an offer before I stick them on eBay?
They're at Medowie, near Newcastle.

Hats off to Claw Hama for the assistance.
Bruce

A man of many talents our Claw Hama. Good on ya CH