Quote:
Originally Posted by davidpm
Jeff I never disagree with you as your knowledge is vast. In CT however the stuff they sell at the local lumberyard that they call IPE is more closely related to mild steel that it is to teak. Teak is an easy to work with relatively soft wood that has about the same workability of pine. Easy to cut and easy to drill and sand.
The IPE we have is only workable at very slow feed speeds with the highest quality carbide tools. It is very heavy, in fact it is heavier than water, and is for all practical purposes fireproof. I took an acetylene torch to it for one project (don't ask). Yes indeed it is very durable and has a rich brown color like teak. But unless you are a skilled craftsman and have the best possible tools and are prepared to ruin them do not use IPE.
This is the OP's first project like this. If he uses IPE it will be his last.
|
Oh, I wouldn't say that. It is "cement in a stick" but it cuts and finishes nicely (with carbide tools- haven't smoked a blade yet). I will say that it'd be the last time he'd have to make it if he used ipe.
Dokoloco- I've found ipe much less nasty to work with than, for example, purpleheart but YMMV. For an interesting effect take a rounter to a piece of ipe on a very cold dry day- the chips carry enough static electricity that they'll circle around the router in mid air from the router motor's magnetic field- bizarre.