wood identification

[massmans]

These were all purchased from Hibdon Hardwood in St. Louis. They always have a great sale the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. The only problem is that you can buy from a scrap bin where nothing is marked by species name. So you have no idea on some unless you have turned it before. These were all new to me so I dont know them but they look great.

For some help here is Hbdon's list of some of the woods they sell. They could have placed some uncommon to them woods in the bin so it may not help.
http://www.hibdonhardwood.com/albumspecies.htm

Pictures of the three woods I need help with are attached.

Thanks for the help.

 

[massmans]

I have confirmed the third one is cocobolo.

 

[Bruce McElhaney]

Actually, the third one looks more like East Indian Rosewood from my viewpoint. But it could be Cocobolo, if so it would be a lower grade Cocobolo without the more usual red and black tones.

 

[john lucas]

The first one might be Tulip wood, the last is definitely Cocobolo. I've seen the middle wood but my brain isn't working very well today.

 

[KurtB]

Wood ID

I thought that the middle one looked like Paela. If you go to the Hibdon site and click on the wood name, a photo of that wood comes up.

 

[waltben]

I've got to agree with Bruce, the third looks more like East Indian rosewood - and I got quite a few blanks of it from an importer last January.

 

[prmiller]

Check out this website for wood identification. I have found it very helpful in the past.

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/index.htm

 

[prmiller]

Also, either of the first 2 wood could be Canarywood...

 

[massmans]

I found out the first one is bubinga and the second is paela. Third one is cocobolo.

So all of them are identified. Thanks for all the help.

 

[MichaelMouse]

So, now that you have a name, how are things changed? Pretty wood is pretty wood. You might be able to use the scientific data to avoid a wood to which you have developed a sensitivity, but common names, which can vary with national boundaries, languages, and even retailers should be regarded with caution.

With many woods, the entire genus or even family share the same characteristics.

 

[Garmar]

Very helpful Michael.

 

[Clifton C]

I’ve noticed when I try to foist a turned object on an unsuspecting friend or relative, the first question inevitably is “what is that supposed to be†followed by “I meant, what kind of wood is that†Even if its fog wood, people seem to just want a name. Human nature?

cc

 

[Rob Wallace]

Names matter.....

So, now that you have a name, how are things changed? Pretty wood is pretty wood.

Things have changed in that now that he has names for these woods, he can be more confident in supplying this information when signing, selling, or gifting the pieces he has created. People want to know what wood the work is made from, and by providing this simple information, the value of the piece is increased. Pretty wood or not, being able to put the correct name of the wood on the piece, or include it in sales information, is an important part of the process.

You might be able to use the scientific data to avoid a wood to which you have developed a sensitivity, but common names, which can vary with national boundaries, languages, and even retailers should be regarded with caution.

I agree that there are major problems with common names (for wood, or for any other organism) as Michael describes (as a botanist, I deal with these problems routinely), but at least a less-than-optimal name is better than no name at all.....

Rob Wallace

 

[Bruce McElhaney]

Wood Names?

I agree that for aesthetic purposes names don't mean too much. However, If one works with wood, then knowing the proper name of that wood is not unimportant. As we've already seen identification can be tricky. It's very difficult to find (or avoid) particular wood species if we don't know their names. Do we go to the lumber yard and just ask for wood? As previously mentioned, names are particularly important concerning allergic reactions to certain woods. Even common names, such as Rosewood, can be incomplete or even confusing. I know I'm allergic to some Rosewood and not others. Botanical names are much more accurate for exact identification. I'm not suggesting one should be fanatical about names, but I believe wood identification should be important to woodworkers and sharing that knowledge is more than an exercise in trivia.

 

[MichaelMouse]

As they say at the airport, "match your claim check. Many bags look alike."

Or not. Acer rubrum

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/Bottom-Tenon-Box-2.jpg Top and bottom.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/ShellacOverhead.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/Work-or-Look-One.jpg

Of course the lumber yard sells us "soft maple", including A rubrum, as well as others in the same stack. Same for "birch," where the differences between a couple of our local "yellow" birches is greater in appearance than the difference between yellow and white.