Wood Identification

[Coop]

@phinds and others. I needed some lumber to build a clamp rack and in searching thru my stash, I found a 8’x5.5’x1” thick board that I’ve had for years. I’ve provided the dimensions as it might help in knowing what it was to be used for. It has a 3/8” wide ship lap on both edges making me think maybe it was for flooring. Prior to jointing and planning, it resembled white pine or fir, except it is much heavier. After milling it flat, it is flawless with very straight grain. Paul, you once mentioned that the end grain was the most definable. To provide you a pic, how to I address the endgrain, crosscut on the table saw and sanded or what. This is what the face looks like. Just curious. Thanks in advance.

[wtnhighlander]

Looks kinda like ash to me, @Coop. Possibly hackberry, but I'm not so familiar with that. Can't wait to hear what others think.

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

I'm guessing plain old sugar maple, especially if you think it was once flooring. Could be ash too, as mentioned above. The color is a little light for ash but it is there.  

Ash-maple? That's my guess

[Von]

As I recall, I was asked to cross cut, sand the end grain to 300+ grit, and then take the most close up photo I could.

[Coop]

Thanks Von. I couldn’t recall if sanding distorted the grain or enhanced it. 

[Von]

On 7/21/2025 at 9:19 PM, Coop said:

Thanks Von. I couldn’t recall if sanding distorted the grain or enhanced it. 

Here's the relevant part of the thread: https://www.woodtalkonline.com/topic/35606-from-log-to-workbench-journal/#findComment-475493

[Coop]

Probably need natural lighting. Had to go from 180 to 220 to 1000 as that’s all i have. 

 

[wtnhighlander]

@Coop, does your camera have a 'macro' focus mode? I think that would provide a clearer close-up of the end grain structure. The macro mode on my phone cam will go really close.

[curlyoak]

Soft maple?

[Coop]

On 7/22/2025 at 5:51 AM, wtnhighlander said:

@Coop, does your camera have a 'macro' focus mode? I think that would provide a clearer close-up of the end grain structure. The macro mode on my phone cam will go really close.

It’s an iPhone 13 so probably not. 

[treeslayer]

just send it to me @Coop and i'll let you know what it is and any other wood that you don't know what it is  actually too hot in the shop to get anything done, 97 with high humidity for the last week

[phinds]

On 7/21/2025 at 7:56 PM, Coop said:

o provide you a pic, how to I address the endgrain, crosscut on the table saw and sanded or what. This is what the face looks like. Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Hey, Coop, I didn't get a notification even though you have me tagged. I just happened to log on.

Anyway, crosscut the end with a sharp radial saw and fine-sand it.

My process is a bit more than you need, but you get the idea. See the bottom of this page:

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_endgrainUPDATE/index.htm

 

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

On 8/3/2025 at 3:09 PM, phinds said:

Hey, Coop, I didn't get a notification even though you have me tagged. I just happened to log on.

Anyway, crosscut the end with a sharp radial saw and fine-sand it.

My process is a bit more than you need, but you get the idea. See the bottom of this page:

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_endgrainUPDATE/index.htm

 

Very educational and even more impressive. Thank you for sharing!

[Enzo Caleb]

Nice-looking boards! Judging by the grain and color, it does look like a dense hardwood, definitely not pine or fir. For a clear end grain photo, a clean crosscut followed by sanding to 120–220 grit should reveal enough detail for good identification. Looking forward to seeing it!