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Don't Cut Ipe


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About a year ago, I was given some beautiful, very dark hardwood flooring that I eventually identified as Ipe. In a recent project, I decided to use some of it. I ruined two bandsaw blades in an attempt to resaw these boards. A few days ago, I had a project that required some dark-colored wood, and some of the Ipe was the right thickness. I cut the parts ok, but it rapidly dulled the blade. To make a long story short, Ipe is almost impossible to glue with wood glue, and it is iffy with an acetone wash and epoxy. Next, I'll find out if ipe burs is well.

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36 minutes ago, Wichman said:

I wonder how this compares to tiger wood? I was given a tiger wood 2 x 4 x 8 ft board left over from a deck project. Not sure I if even want to mess with it.

 

I would do some research before I tried it. I did a quick look around, but I did not find anything about trouble with sawing. However, it seems to have similar issues as Ipe when it comes to glue.

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According to The Wood Database, IPE and Tigerwood (aka Goncavo Alves) have a lot of similarities.  Both are hard, dense woods, tend to dull cutters and are hard to glue.  And you probably should wear protection (mask, long sleeves, ...) when working them.  

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Ipe is also known as "Ironwood".  Tells ya something about how hard it is.  

According to the Janka scale, it's in the top 5 of the hardest woods in the world.  For comparison, Ipe measures 3684 on the Janka scale, while hard maple measures 1450.  The hardest is lignum vitae at 4500

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