Need help identifying wood species - Woodworking Talk

jbreth · 05-02-2008, 01:25 PM

I am one of the worst at distinguishing wood species. I was wondering if any of you could tell me what type of wood this is. I inherited a antique buffet in need of some help, and want to totally restore it. I am very excited about it and the work ahead. Here are some pics of the buffet. Any help is appreciated! Thanks
Jason

Corndog · 05-02-2008, 02:45 PM

Mahogany.

**Daren** · 05-02-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corndog

Mahogany.

I 2nd that.

**TexasTimbers** · 05-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Might be. If it is it's Honduras Mahogony not Spanish. Grain is too porous for Spanish.

But what I wonder is how much Mahogany would a company in WV, in the 20s or 30s (like this piece looks to be from) in the thick of Appalachian Hardwood belt, be importing when they could get material much cheaper in their own backyard?

Not to say it isn't Mahogany - it might be. But underneath the stain it looks too light to be Mahogany anyway, unless those are just bleached-out areas of a cheap finish..

Corndog · 05-02-2008, 06:02 PM

I can't see 'em using Phillipine. Might be though.

**TexasTimbers** · 05-02-2008, 06:14 PM

Phillipine Mahogany isn't a Mahogany at all anyway so it probably is not "Phillipine Mahogany" and therefore you would be correct.

Corndog · 05-02-2008, 06:19 PM

I just couldn't remember how to spell Luan{sic}

**TexasTimbers** · 05-02-2008, 06:48 PM

Watch jbreth come back in a week and tell us he took a end grain slice to his local University Forestry department, and when the Ph.D. looked at it under his scope he immediately declared . . . . "Oh yes. Lauan. Definately White Lauan. Did my paper on this species my senior year."

jbreth · 05-03-2008, 01:23 AM

I just wanted to let texas timber it took me less than a week but I took an end grain slice to my local University Forestry department, and when the Ph.D. looked at it under his scope he immediately declared . . . . "Oh yes". Lauan. Definately White Lauan! Just kidding. I thought that it might be a mahogany but I just wanted to make sure. The veneer on the top has started to peel off and was going to replace it. Also the accent on top has twisted pretty badly. Thanks for all of the input it is very much appreciated. Oh texas timber one other thing I live in Kansas we really don't have much use for a forestry department here!

Thanks again
Jason

Gerry KIERNAN · 05-03-2008, 11:43 AM

That looks like it should be a very attractive piece of furniture once refinished. Is the drawer missing, or just not shown?
If you want to retain "antique value" you might want to reconsider replacing any veneer if it can be saved at all.

Gerry