Charlie Plesums
09-10-2005, 12:46 AM
Other threads have discussed the machinability and finish-ability of ipe, the wood now often sold for premium decking. I find it good for things beside decking. You might also consider this an offering to the picture police.
http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/Planter2792.jpg
The total length of this planter is 25 feet. The back posts are over 5 feet tall. I would argue that it is very machinable - the fineals on each post are turned in place (not glued on) (I did have to buy a bed extension for my lathe). There are a total of 252 mortises and tenons to hold the slats in the posts. The slats are set up so that cross boards (visible) or lengthwise boards can be set at various heights to hold different pots. All 252 mortises were cut with a single birdsmouth bit that had been used for other projects as well. The tenons were cut with two ten inch blades on the saw at the same time, separated by spacers.
The finish is one coat of Cabot Australian Timber Oil, a mix of various oils specifically for outside use on dense hardwoods.
The client was thrilled, except that the previously attractive deck flooring now no longer looks attractive.
The same deck also has four Adirondack chairs made from ipe, a small table, a large hexagonal table, and a rolling service table (work table for the planters), all in ipe.
http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/Adirondack2789.jpg
The hexagonal table is the only item with glued joints, using PL Premium Polyurethane construction adhesive. It comes in a calking-type tube - I stuff a nail in the spout, and it keeps fine for months. Everything else is assembled with stainless steel screws because of the reputed long life of ipe.
The hexagonal "coffee" table weighed about 70 pounds, but the real monster was the work table...two adults could barely carry it. Thank goodness for the 4 inch shop swivel casters.
http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/PlanterTable2790.jpg
http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/Planter2792.jpg
The total length of this planter is 25 feet. The back posts are over 5 feet tall. I would argue that it is very machinable - the fineals on each post are turned in place (not glued on) (I did have to buy a bed extension for my lathe). There are a total of 252 mortises and tenons to hold the slats in the posts. The slats are set up so that cross boards (visible) or lengthwise boards can be set at various heights to hold different pots. All 252 mortises were cut with a single birdsmouth bit that had been used for other projects as well. The tenons were cut with two ten inch blades on the saw at the same time, separated by spacers.
The finish is one coat of Cabot Australian Timber Oil, a mix of various oils specifically for outside use on dense hardwoods.
The client was thrilled, except that the previously attractive deck flooring now no longer looks attractive.
The same deck also has four Adirondack chairs made from ipe, a small table, a large hexagonal table, and a rolling service table (work table for the planters), all in ipe.
http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/Adirondack2789.jpg
The hexagonal table is the only item with glued joints, using PL Premium Polyurethane construction adhesive. It comes in a calking-type tube - I stuff a nail in the spout, and it keeps fine for months. Everything else is assembled with stainless steel screws because of the reputed long life of ipe.
The hexagonal "coffee" table weighed about 70 pounds, but the real monster was the work table...two adults could barely carry it. Thank goodness for the 4 inch shop swivel casters.
http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/PlanterTable2790.jpg