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Cedar? Cherry? Redwood!?

3K views 18 replies 12 participants last post by  r33tc0w 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Brown Wood Wood stain Floor Hardwood


Picked up 15, 8×1x10 boards last weekend for $100, most in good shape from a salvage warehouse - what is this wood?
 

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#5 ·
I intend to use these planks for 2 barndoors in our bedroom but I'm a noob when it comes to finishing. If this is cherry, I understand it patinas with little ease but I would rather keep the age and roughness on it. What's the best way to finish this out in that regard?
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Cut off an small end of a lighter piece and put it on a window sill in the sun. Cover half of it with a book or something. If the other half darkens appreciably over a period of a few days then it's probably cherry.

That planed piece you've got on top exposed the lightness. Cherry is like that. It Ages nicely and often doesn't need staining. It's beautiful like it is.

BTW, Cherry here in Maine is a little over $4/bf. Each of your boards is 6.6 bf or about $27each at that rate… times 15 boards that's over $400.

Two years ago Rocklers here had cherry boards at a ridiculously low $1.47/bf. I bought a lot of them and built my kitchen with them. Today I wish I'd purchased the entire load.

Anyway, great buy…. Use them wisely.
 
#15 ·
r33 -

Looks like a tie between cherry and redwood :)

So take a piece of "known" cherry and your "unknown" lumber and do a thumbnail test. If it is redwood you'll find the "unknown" lumber to be softer then the "known" cherry control piece. Also, Redwood will have a much more open grain, a courser texture at the surface and have less shine when planed with a shape blade.

Good luck.
 
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