Do you have wood in your shop you can't identify?

[FS7]

I found a board tonight that is totally unsurfaced and I have no idea what it is. I *think* it might be African Mahogany, but I truly don't know. I only say that because the color's approximately correct and I bought some at some point to make some bathroom mirrors. There are others that I am not sure of right now either, but only one of each. 

I know at some point I started labeling the ends of the wood with a Sharpie to help avoid this in the future. Is there a good way to identify species that haven't been surfaced at all without remembering or labeling? Some are easy by smell or appearance, but most aren't.

[dg152]

You may want to check photos of Iroko, also known as African Teak although it's not a Teak wood. It's possible you may some of that. Iroko is fairly heavy and feels somewhat oily.

[Duane N]

I bought some rough sawn 5/4 hard Maple last year at my local lumber yard and as I was moving around my wood stash recently I noticed a couple of the boards had Ash written on the sides of them.  The only Ash I've ever purchased was some 8/4.  I guess once I need to use it I'll figure out what it actually is.

[hbmcc]

It's not a source for rough cut lumber, but the Wood Database can be helpful. Also, Bruce Hoadley's Identifying Wood can be helpful. Most wood is identifiable via end grain.

[Stwood_]

I've got some exotic cutoffs that John Fry sent me about 8-9 years ago, that I got about half of it marked as to what wood it is. The other half I never marked, and have no clue what it is. I haven't researched it as it's not on the high priority list

[Gary G™]

http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/

[DogwoodTales]

Yes, and I bought them at the same time too.
Didn’t mark some things and I have to look long and compare.
Color deficient vision sucks.

[mike4244]

I found a board tonight that is totally unsurfaced and I have no idea what it is. I *think* it might be African Mahogany, but I truly don't know. I only say that because the color's approximately correct and I bought some at some point to make some bathroom mirrors. There are others that I am not sure of right now either, but only one of each. 

I know at some point I started labeling the ends of the wood with a Sharpie to help avoid this in the future. Is there a good way to identify species that haven't been surfaced at all without remembering or labeling? Some are easy by smell or appearance, but most aren't.

I have two 2 x 6 x 10'-0" boards that were used for donnage when I bought a skid of Hardiboard siding. When I was done with the siding I went to pick the boards up. They were so heavy I had trouble getting one on my shoulder. Well over 100Lbs. each. Beautiful dark straight grain wood. I think it may have come from Australia as Hardiboard is made there. I still have one 10'-0" board left and about 7'-0" of the other. I have made a mallet, tool handles, and a chess set so far. Sawing with the grain is slow going. Across the grain it burns quickly. When I turned it on the lathe I had to sharpen tools often. Left a highly polished finish with no sanding or even burnishing needed. 
I have not been able to identify this wood.  I broke my camera or I would post a picture.

mike

[BrokenOlMarine]

I have a couple pieces that I was told are used for making musical instruments.  I forgot to mark them, due to memory issues, the name escapes me.  The wood is very dense, and I have had it for a long while. Lol.  Didn't want to make a beautiful box out of it, and have someone down the road facepalm and ask... "Do you know how much that piece of xxxxx was worth?"



Doh, obviously, not. 

[EdL]

Built my first handtool cabinet from mystery wood.

Didn't have enough to make the frame for the glass panel door.

Took it to my local sawmill/trim/flooring place...

Bonnie walked up looked in the truck....darn Eddie, thats some pretty elm you got there.

Uh, thanks, have any?

Yup.