Recognise this wood ?

**Arron** · 21st December 2003, 10:44 PM

Hi. I was offered some freebie timber today. I only took a couple of pieces because it looked too hard and heavy to be much use. Now I'm wondering what it is and if I should get more. I think it is just a local eucalypt - probably nothing uncommon. I have included a photo - I wet the timber before taking the photo so the colour probably approximates the appearance if it were varnished. The photo doesnt show the grain, which is short, white and stringy.

The weight is about 1,230 kg per mtr cubed, by my calculations. That puts it in about the same class as Cooktown ironwood or grey ironbark.

It would really be very attractive timber, if it wasnt so heavy. In water, it sinks like a stone.

Any suggestions ?

Arron

**Arron** · 21st December 2003, 10:47 PM

ps. The colour in the photo is about right on my monitor (bearing in mind the timber is wet). The texture is somewhat coarser then it appears in the photo.

Arron

**glenn k** · 22nd December 2003, 01:45 AM

Could it be Red Iron Bark?
Is your sample green? Seems very dence.

**Eastie** · 22nd December 2003, 09:00 AM

It certainly looks and sounds like red ironbark. Documented density of about 1100 - 1300kg.
I made a table top out of it only last year – challenging to work with but worth the effort. If it’s only in those lengths it’s probably off cut from fence posts or sleepers. Look closely at the grain - it should be closed - unlike other local timbers. Sharpen you tools

**multinut** · 22nd December 2003, 09:12 AM

looks to me to be jarrah
also sounds like jarrah
in anycase sharpen your tools
cheers
multinut

**Arron** · 22nd December 2003, 12:17 PM

thanks for the replies guys.

Definitely not Jarrah. I'm familiar with Jarrah and anyway Jarrah's density is about 900 at the maximum.

Red ironbark sounds very likely. Most of it is in lengths about 2.8 mtrs long, about 70mm x 45mm. I expect it was originally intended for fencing and someone pulled the best bits out.

Eastie, what is meant by closed grain ? That could be useful in identifying it.

cheers
Arron

**BrianR** · 22nd December 2003, 04:12 PM

Another possibility is Grey box which has an sg of 1121 dry and similar appearance.

**ozwinner** · 22nd December 2003, 04:23 PM

I thought grey box was yellow?
Why is it called grey box if its yellow?
Cheers, Allan the Confused

**Ben from Vic.** · 22nd December 2003, 05:06 PM

And just to throw everyone off......

Paduk.

It's a long shot, and it's way to heavy, but the colour looks close.

I'd go with one of the Ironbarks, like the rest.

Ben

**Grunt** · 23rd December 2003, 10:49 AM

My guess is that it is a lump of wood, probably from a tree.

**Sir Stinkalot** · 23rd December 2003, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Grunt
My guess is that it is a lump of wood, probably from a tree.

**arose62** · 24th December 2003, 09:43 AM

Hey Grunt,

I'll be sending you the bill for cleaning a noseful of WeetBix out of my laptop keyboard!

Maybe it's the effect of a couple of 2:00 AM work starts, but that was one of the funniest posts I've seen in ages!!

Cheers,
Andrew

**Joshua** · 24th December 2003, 05:57 PM

Hey guys,
First time posting a reply. There are some very interesting notes throughout this forum site. Been reading for a while now.
I am with Ben from Vic on this one. Allthough I am sure it is spelt
Padauk. You can tell if it is Padauk as you can leave a part exposed to ultraviolet light. Any dark streaks present will fade. Also the grain is interlocked. Iron bark may be as hard but this is very difficult to work with. Good luck anyway. Like all timber it has its use.

Joshua G

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