Is this wood Sapele?

[meccarroll]

Hi all, I recently (Yesterday) made this plaque on my CNC for a friend out of some wood I had aquired from a refurbisment job years ago and it would be nice to confirm what wood it is. The problem is I'm not entirely sure if it is Sapele or other?

It's very dense and machines very well.

 

[Cabinetman]

Yes it certainly looks like it to me, do you have any pics of the Morticer?

 

[Mike G]

I think so, yes. But there are a number of similar timbers, so you always have to be cautious with these sorts of questions.

 

[meccarroll]

Yes it certainly looks like it to me, do you have any pics of the Morticer?

The Morticer is in a Barn Outbuilding which is currently being converted into living accomodation. The person doing the conversion is a retired engineer I think he originally used the morticer before modenising, I should be taking the Plaque over to him this week and will ask if I can take a photo to post on here.

 

[meccarroll]

I think so, yes. But there are a number of similar timbers, so you always have to be cautious with these sorts of questions.

Yes quite true that why I ask Mike. I'm no connoisseur for sure.

 

[Trevanion]

I would say it is Sapele, Utile can look very similar but the grain in this piece suggests Sapele because the quartersawn grain flecks are rounded, where with Utile they are more square.

 

[Raymedullary]

+1 for Sapele (its named after the town in south west Nigeria). Utile would mostly have a bit more figure. Other than that.... Honduras cedar is kind of gritty, aromatic and quite soft.

 

[Lons]

It looks like the Sapele I have. The only thing is mine tends to splinter badly and often suffers tear out, unless it's because you used a CNC.

 

[thetyreman]

Sapele also has a nasty spicy carrot smell and makes me sneeze a lot, that's one way you can tell, but I'd also vote for sapele as well here.

 

[CHJ]

Do you have any End Grain Scraps to check?

Sapele:- http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sapele.htm

Util/sipo :- http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sipo.htm

 

[meccarroll]

Do you have any End Grain Scraps to check?

Sapele:- http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sapele.htm

Util/sipo :- http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sipo.htm

Took this morning if of any help to you. Massive array of photos regarding Sapele many thank's.

 

[meccarroll]

It looks like the Sapele I have. The only thing is mine tends to splinter badly and often suffers tear out, unless it's because you used a CNC.

The CNC removes wood in a completly different way from when using hand tools. The cutters used in a CNC are normally quite different even to normal router bits in that they usually cut in a spiral. I am very much a novice in the CNC world but have started to get to grips with using one. I have lined up some cutters and taken a photo so you can see some of the different cutters used on a CNC machine.

Left to Right:
1. Compression cutter notice hoe the cutting edge spirals both ways, The tip cuts upward and the rest of the spiral cuts downward producing clean cuts on both top and bottom.
2.Two flute Down cut bit (Most commonly used in CNC for wood etc) this cuts downward into the cut material. It does not clear away the cut material as well as an up cut bit but it leaves a clean top edge.
3. Two flute straight bit similatr to a normal router but.
4. Two flute down cut bit 3.175mm wide which I use to clear out pockets of wood around lettering.
5. Single flute down cut.
6.Three flute anti chip bit, used when cutting melamine faced boards and plywoods.
7. Up cut bit used on plastics sheets etc where a down cut bit is not practical.

My knowledge on the subject is very basic at the moment but I am gaining experience and learning every day I use the CNC. It's quite facinating to take a CAD drawing load it into a CNC and watch what you have drawn evolve right in front of you.

 

[Jonathan]

You saying it machines nicely make me think it’s Sipo.
Visually I can’t tell the difference between Sapele and Sipo,

 

[CHJ]

Took this morning if of any help to you. Massive array of photos regarding Sapele many thank's.

Looks like Sapele to me.

TheHobbit House Wood ID site has been my Go-To reference source for some years.

I find that even if it does not convince me of a species identity it usually provides enough visual or descriptive info. to discount some of the possibles.

 

[Phil]

Sapele, based on what I have used in the past (my 2 cents).

Very nice to work with. I made window frames for a farm house dormer window many years ago.
It also sands and finishes well.
I used old rescued timber plus new stock.

 

[Lons]

Thanks Meccarroll
Yes that's why I mentioned the machine finish perhaps being cleaner, I can get a good finish using a router it's just hand planing that I have to be careful with. I have to be extra careful with the sanding dust as I think I've become sensitised a little so maybe something you should be aware of.

I have a few of those TCT spirls somewhere and I've had a go on a large CNC a couple of times. I did look at buying a small hobby machine but eventually bought a laser engraver instead, couldn't get both, I can't afford a divorce.

Much of the sapele I have has come from 30mm thick science benches from a school and yours looks very similar indeed to mine.

Bob

 

[meccarroll]

Yes it certainly looks like it to me, do you have any pics of the Morticer?

Just took this yesterday the chap in the photo is the owner, he told me what date to put.

 

[Dr.Al]

Interesting looking bit of kit, but it looks like there's a lot of paint where there probably shouldn't be paint.

 

[meccarroll]

Interesting looking bit of kit, but it looks like there's a lot of paint where there probably shouldn't be paint.

The chap who owns it said it has been painted so it can now stand outside as a show piece hence the plaque.