Wood identification

[Sheal]

I wasn't sure where to post this. Can anyone identify the wood that this table leg is made from please?

 

[Chuck]

I'm fairly sure it's straight sawn White Oak.

 

[Sheal]

Thanks Chuck. A member of another forum suggested oak and another Maple.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Not oak unless it was filled. Hard to tell a finished part.

 

[Sheal]

Thanks DirtMechanic. Oak seems to be favoured from responses I've had. Could it be this below....

https://www.wood-database.com/bur-oak/

 

[DirtMechanic]

Looks like it. Have you submerged it in water to weigh its specific gravity and see if it matches that 12% they gave? Oak is very dense compared to many woods.

 

[Chuck]

Not oak unless it was filled. Hard to tell a finished part.

If it is full/straight sawn the grain is very dense and close on white oak and will sand to almost a mirror finish when sanded on a lathe. This particular piece has little or no figure in the grain so it just about has to be straight sawn. If this piece was not made in a factory it probably was not filled but a factory usually fills to avoid any imperfections. Also a factory piece and a custom piece will have some type of finish. If an old piece some type of clear varnish, lacquer or shellac and a factory piece a polyurethane or polyverithane all of which will fill.

 

[Sheal]

Looks like it. Have you submerged it in water to weigh its specific gravity and see if it matches that 12% they gave? Oak is very dense compared to many woods.

No, this is my son's table and he lives in your homeland of America. He bought it recently to restore and I doubt very much he would have thought about water submergence.

 

[Sheal]

Another couple of pictures before and after sanding, they may or may not help.

 

[Chuck]

Another couple of pictures before and after sanding, they may or may not help.

View attachment 50918

View attachment 50919

A little closer view of the table top enabling us to see the grain would be a big help

 

[DirtMechanic]

Looks like oak to me. Especially given that it is over here, and the style is familiar. A wood conditioner before refinishing is a wise path. Here is a favorite book on the subject.

 

[Sheal]

A little closer view of the table top enabling us to see the grain would be a big help

A wood conditioner before refinishing is a wise path.

Ah! I have a problem here. I thought the table was going to be restored to it's former lovely natural state. But no, my daughter-in-law has painted it! I have to say I'm disappointed.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Not uncommon but a old style stain or other will make the common more uncommon. The book is worth a read. It is often the top is stained natural and the bottom painted white.

 

[Chuck]

Ah! I have a problem here. I thought the table was going to be restored to it's former lovely natural state. But no, my daughter-in-law has painted it! I have to say I'm disappointed.

Have your son look on the underside of the table top and see if there are any letters or numbers. Letters usually means and individual made the piece and numbers mean a factory made it. Nothing means nothing. No one thought enough of the piece to sign it or catalog it, so if nothing is there you haven't lost anything. It looks like a fairly modern piece probably from the 50's or 60's.

 

[Sheal]

My son thinks there is a date stamped underneath the table, he will check it out when he gets home from work.