Wood Identification, old timber Please Help,

[marku]

I have acquired these old worktops from a Science Lab, they where removed from the Lab over 30 years ago and have been stored in a dry barn ever since.

Just interested if anybody would have any idea what the wood might be, there are 3 lengths 16ft long so they are quite big.

Many Thanks

Mark

 

[thetyreman]

looks like teak to me

 

[porker]

I'd also say teak. I got some lab worktops from a local university maybe 15 years ago and they were pretty old too. Cleaned up nicely and made a few smaller worktops and a large mirror frame.

 

[Ttrees]

Hello
More pics are necessary, close ups with some freshly shaved portions.
some of it does look like iroko, nicknamed "African teak", but we would need some better shots to confirm so
Great score
Tom

 

[Mike Jordan]

My vote is for Iroko although the photos need to show a cleaned up section. I started my apprenticeship (1959) with the task of hand sanding similar bench tops for a new school build. Teak has been far to expensive for this job for several decades now. A while back I agreed to look at some "Teak" which a boater had purchased to make roof lights for his barge, after transporting them a huge distance he was distressed to be told that they were Iroko not Teak.

 

[Beau]

I would also say Iroko. Not easy as it looks heavily sun bleached.

 

[RobinBHM]

The photos arent good enough to be sure, but I would a reasonable chance of being teak.

Teak was used in lab tops once, and since these were removed in the 1980's that would probably make them quite old, poss 60s / 70s

the paler image does look like iroko grain though......

 

[kevinlightfoot]

I would also suggest iroko,plays havoc with planer blades and remember your dust protection.

 

[Racers]

+1 on iroko, the last shot looks 100% iroko.
Nice timber but can cause reactions for some people so mask up if you are machining or sanding.

Pete

 

[pollys13]

Removing a shaving with a plane might give a certain identification.

Amy May Trust https://amymaytrust.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/4 ... ing-damage

 

[marku]

Thank you as ever for the help, I have taken some more pictures which hopefully will be clearer.

I cut some off earlier, and I will have a look at some shavings when I get home from work.

Thanks

Mark

 

[Mike Jordan]

If you think Iroko blunts cutters you can't have used teak! the amount of silica in it varies but in the worst case the blades will be blunt and the timber being hammered in about two metres of planing. TCT knives are the only reliable answer to the planing of teak, That means it's a brave or foolish chap who agrees to recycle salvaged teak. With a set of knives priced at over £100 per pair an encounter with any sort of metal fixing in the material is a very expensive drawback.
After looking at the latest post you can make mine a definite for Iroko

 

[Beau]

Yep definitely looks like Iroko now

 

[RobinBHM]

iroko, nice durable timber

Not teak sadly which is worth 5 or 6 times more

iroko does contain calcium deposits, but its not all that common. I find they tend to be surrounded by darkened timber which helps to see it. Nasty stuff writes off cutters, which is not surprising as its stone basically!

 

[Ttrees]

Calcium deposits !
That must be what I have seen on some examples ...
I will take a piccy of it later, if I can find the piece with it

Thanks RobinBHM
Tom

 

[Racers]

Calcium! Silica more like.

Pete

 

[Ttrees]

Here is the piece of iroko that has minerals embedded in it.
I can't say, I get the feeling that this dulls the plane irons edge though.

Interesting discussion
Tom

 

[marku]

Thanks for all the help identifying the wood, I am sure that we will find something to make from it.

Shame it wasn't Teak but as it was free I can't complain!

 

[Keith 66]

Definately Iroko. I took a similar load out of a local college ten years ago, that was new built in 1971, There is much wishful thinking when lab benches come out, unless its pre war its unlikely to be teak it was simply too expensive.
Last lot of teak i had was about 20 years ago, cable duct covers out of a Telephone exchange, each cover was 5ft 6" long 2ft 6" wide made up of three boards 1 3/8" thick tongue & grooved together, great brass hinges & gunmetal lifting eyes with the Royal cypher GR cast into them I had a lorry load of 20 of them for £150. Happy day that was!

 

[NazNomad]

Last lot of teak i had was about 20 years ago, cable duct covers out of a Telephone exchange, each cover was 5ft 6" long 2ft 6" wide made up of three boards 1 3/8" thick tongue & grooved together, great brass hinges & gunmetal lifting eyes with the Royal cypher GR cast into them I had a lorry load of 20 of them for £150. Happy day that was!

If they came from Essex, they probably had my boot prints all over them. :-D