Care and feeding of Ipei...

[Greg Koch]

While at my favorite cedar yard, picking up some more mill scrap, one of the guys said they have some nice pallets of hardwood that came in with their Ipei shipment. We walked around the yard, found them and I told him I would be back with my utility trailer to pick them up. I got back, broke the pallets down and brought them home...took 2 loads as they boards are heavy, and my little utility trailer wheels were showing some strain on the first load.

Inventory is 18 ea, 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 10'...12 ea 8' long and 13 ea 14' long.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/th_MIpe2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/MIpe2.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/th_LIpei1.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/LIpei1.jpg)


It's very hard, and when cut has a yellowish tint to it, due to the oils according to one of the guys in the yard.

I'm wondering if I should cut it with my new Tenryu blade or another less expensive one. Will the wood damage the blade? I figured I'd make some outdoor furniture with it. I also thought I would use my 4x24" Bosch belt sander to smooth it rather than running it through by new Makita 12" planer. What are your thoughts? Am I being too carefull?

I am being very careful to get the nails out and searching for any other metal...the boards only used 1 or 2 nails to connect the cross slats, and they were easy to get out.

Any other tips/ideas? How would you use the boards?

Thanks

[Jim O'Dell]

It's great wood for outdoors. I don't know how the wood would do for furniture. Give it a try, especially since it was free!! It's great for decking...water won't damage it. I bought some to use as the threshold for my shop. The drive way to the building is at the same level as the floor and is in the path for run off water to get to the creek. It looks the same as it did a year ago when I put it in.
I'd get a cheaper blade to cut this with. I bought a cheap Oldham at Home Depot, then put it in my cheap miter saw. There is a lot of silica content in the wood, so it eats blades. Have fun with your treasure! Jim.

ps wear a dust mask when you cut it!!!!

[Ken Seiler]

If the boards you picked up are indeed Ipe, then plan on using carbide saw blades. Predrill any holes as you cannot drive a nail.

I used Ipe for my deck and also for a boat dock. If left untreated, the wood turns a silvery gray. It needs to be treated with an UV finish to maintain the natural color. Also, the ends need to be treated(sealed) after being cut to prevent splits. I have not tried to run any thru my planer but have cut some with my TS. I didn't have a DC installed when I last tried to cut some and the dust did bother me. The dust is extremely fine.

I also used some in the house and it was finished with a commercial floor finish. It turned out great.

Ipe is supposed to last a lot longer than PT wood.

Good luck with it.

[Greg Koch]

Thanks for the replies.

Here is the kind of furniture I was thinking about...simple, square, utility. I will pick up another blade at HD/Lowes for this wood. I think it could be fun, and it was....free! :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/th_401128.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/401128.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/th_101812.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/101812.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/th_101702.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/kgregc/Woodworking/101702.jpg)


What do you recommend for sealing the ends? I usually wear a respirator when cutting, along with my portable DC. The guys at the yard mentioned it too as one of their workers cut without a mask (cutting area is open, just a roof) and felt kinda bad for a while later on.

[Jim Benante]

Greg,

Read this post about ipe it has some answers to your questions and links to more info.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=35519


Jim

[rick fulton]

Greg -

That is a great wood catch.

I've found ipe to be a fantastic wood to work with. Very tough, stays flat no matter how thin I cut it, very little moisture movement, wears well, and can be sanded to a highly polished finish. I've never had problems cutting the wood, but I use carbide tipped blades / bits on most of my tools.

There is only one downside that I have come across with ipe - a freshly jointed 90-degree edge will be sharp and can have some wicked stiff splinters. After you finish building your projects, be sure to round over all edges. It does not take much (1/16 or 1/8 inch radius).

Hope you post some mid-project (in-process) photos.
Rick

[Greg Koch]

Thanks, guys... Great link and tips. I have some planning/prep to do, and guests coming to town, but will post my progress. Now......what to build...?:)