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3K views 27 replies 15 participants last post by  Mahdeew 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I was browsing in my local lumberyard (U.S. Mahogany Corp. Matawan NJ) on Friday afternoon. It's on my way home from work (good for me, bad for my bank account), and while looking for nothing really in particular, I came across a really nice board of Sapele in the "Exotics/Special Woods" section. It was calling out to me and even though I had zero purpose for it at the time, I knew if I purchased it I would eventually come up with something. So I made an impulse purchase. Considering my history and immature nature of just tossing money away like it's nothing, this isn't that bad. Last impulsive purchase I made was a car…just sayin. Anyway so here it is; I threw some min spirits over it real quick just to bring out the grain for the pic. Sorry if pic quality sucks. I didn't feel like looking for my good camera.
Figured Sapele Board L72" x W6" x T.75"
Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


It's been a month now. At first I had it tucked away in a corner. But last week, I propped it up in on my outfeed/assembly table, so I would have to constantly look at it, and maybe inhibiting some sort of inspirational magic in the process. I apparently have none of that. I have thought of everything from wine racks to cigar boxes, to a lightstand or a slim threshold/hallway table. Although every one of those ideas would probably be a worthy skill honing experience, the latter being my favorite, none of them excite me. And that is how I usually decide to build something. When I get excited thinking about building and finishing it.

*I also thought about using it as a suspension lighting fixture in my kitchen (sort of like the picture below). That would actually be the best option for displaying the 'figured' grain in its entirety, without really having to cut it up, and would look awesome the way my kitchen is set up.
Rectangle Wood Shelving Shelf Ceiling

But this would entail zero woodworking skills, and really would just be a fabrication/electrical/homeowner DIY project, in which case I am posting this on the wrong site… LMK if any of you have an idea. I seem to have….builders block? Designers block? Idk, it's a block though. Lend me some imagination please!
 

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#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
If it were me Id either resaw it into larger boxes or build it into a piece of furniture in a way that shows it off. Nice score!

EDITED: +1 to Monty. I do that too, Ive got one pice in the living room still hasnt told me what to do yet and its been 7 years.
 
#4 ·
Box Whisp I agree completely, that is why I was really considering making a Threshold/hallway entrance table. I would use the entire board as a long slim table top and it would be very visable, being in the hallway by my entrance. The light fixture woul def be cool, but running wire, and adding circuits and blah blah blah is one of my LEAST favorite things to do around the house. Idk, gotta stare at it a little longer like Mont said maybe.
 
#6 ·
In 1969 I bought:
1. 2 African Ribbon Mahogany boards measuring about 4/4 X 10" by 5 ½ feet.
2. 3 White oak boards - each less than 4/4 by 5' X 6".
As I moved from apartment to house to house to house, those boards came along for the ride. And each time we cleaned the garage, my two sons wondered why on earth they were constantly moving boards out and then back into the garage (my car and wood shop was the garage for most of my life.) In 2007, Jackie and I decided to retire to East Tennessee, and guess what? Yup. Those boards came along in the United Van Lines truck, and were firmly ensconced in our rental house basement storage area. When drawings were nearly completed for the house we built, one son suggested that, since they moved these Mahogany boards about a thousand times in their young lives, they should be incorporated into design of the new retirement home. Thus, I designed a fireplace that I thought would use them appropriately as the mantel. The house was completed in 2007 and, surprise of surprises: the white oak boards are now in storage in my new basement wood shop, never mind that I've built numerous items from other white oak since moving to Tennessee. This long-worded reply is my way of saying three things:
1. You cannot count on me to give you any timely reasonable idea for any beautiful board you may have and love.
2. Loving boards may not prove to be an efficient use of money: The 2 African Mahogany boards purchased in 1969 came in at perhaps at $2.50 each. The additional 10 or 12 purchased from Jeffries Woodworks south of Knoxville came in at in excess of $1,000
3. Life is GREAT!
 
#7 ·
I say just add it to the lumber pile. When the right project comes along for it, you'll be glad it's there.

I carried around a small chunk of curly maple (maybe 2 bd ft) for 2 or 3 yrs and had a piece of walnut that I had for 2 yrs and probably sat in my grandfather's garage for 30 yrs before that. I had an idea for a toolbox for the kiddo in my head and I just knew those were the two pieces of lumber I needed to use and made these:

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/85615
 
#8 ·
Noel, awesome story actually. I could totally see myself doing that. I am actually growing to like just looking up at it every day I'm in my shop. Not good! haha…Also, I stop at the lumber yard probably somethimes once, and at least twice a week and I ALWAYS have to buy something. I'm not good at holding onto money, my wife is. They have an unbelievable exotics section. I was holding a $140 piece of Zebrawood the other day, and had to force myself to put it down and walk away. If it's there next time, I will convince myself it's meant to be, and probably buy it.
-And Marcus, that's what it looks like is probably going to happen. I already have some really nice pieces of Walnut, Sapele, Mahogany and Teak. I'm becoming a hoarder of Woods. Admittance is the first step right?
 
#12 ·
I have a huge shop and we tend to "impulse purchase" wood like that as well. Some wood has been here for years….....until the wood says " psst…..hey…..this is what you should make out of me"........just let it sit. The WORST thing is to take a piece of wood and "force" it into a project…...as soon as you do that a lightbuld will go off as to what you really should have done with it. I think having wood sitting around is actually better because when you are hit with something yo have a choice of what you will make it out of and you are more likely to do it. When you have to decide on a wood BEFORE you buy it…...to me…...its harder. something will pop in your head….just let the wood chill for a while.lol
 
#13 ·
I like the idea of doing the table. I have a spalted beech slab that was sitting around, waiting to be made into just that, and then it dawned on my gf that it should be a bench with a set of built in shelves. Just goes to show you never know when an idea will pop into your head. Heres the slab…

Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood
 

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#16 ·
Mrjinx has a good point. If it were mine and I wanted a table Id frame out the top in maple. Id more likely let it stay where it is untill it speaks to me though. Amazing how much faster that happens when I go off my meds ;)
 
#17 ·
I've made a number of things from ribbon Sapele. It comes out absolutely gorgeous with just a shellac finish. Just take your time working it. The thing that gives it the great figuring is that the wood grain is going everywhere and that means it is prone to tear out. Take your time, use very sharp tools, scrape rather than plane and you'll end up with a treasure that's well worth the cost of lumber and effort.
 
#18 ·
Jinx, I agree; If I use it for the Hallway table, it would only be used as the table top (slim design), someting like this: But way nicer than this factory made, soft serve service line, Ikea crap. This is just to show an idea.
Rectangle Outdoor furniture Wood Wood stain Hardwood

So I would really only be maybe putting a decorative edge of some sort on it, and then finishing it. For the legs I have some 8/4 Sapele, maple, and walnut to choose from. I have also been playing around a lot with a finish called Shou Sugi Ban, with some really crazy results, so I may finish the apron and legs with that, or maybe not. Idk I'm babbling now, but I am kinda leaning toward the hallway table. Def have a space for it, and everyone walking into our house would see it as soon as they walk in….have to sleep on it
 

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#19 ·
Sawdust, I was thinking that exactly. Just finish with Shellac. I have finished sapele before but never with the Pommele grain like this, so I'm researching the best techniques to keep as much of the pommele as possible. And to go for high shine or flat….any suggestions?
 
#20 ·
The finish is a matter of preference and match to the decor of your home. I like high gloss and on some wood, like old white oak, I like teak oil which makes it looks antique. Most of what I have on my projects posted here is gloss polyurethane.
 
#21 ·
I do not know what it SHOULD be, but I have an idea of what it should NOT be: I think that it would be wasted on a light fixture like in your photo. People would have to look up at from directly underneath to get the best view to appreciate the grain, and that is unlikely to happen without you pointing to it and saying "stand here and look up at the grain in this piece of wood". People rarely look up at the ceiling unless they are in Rome admiring the work of Michaelangelo. :) If you want it to be seen and admired put it at eye level or lower.

Just my opinion, but please post a photo of whatever you decide to make.
 
#23 ·
Leafherder, I have to agree with you. While I'm no closer to figuring out what this should be I decided against making it into a light fixture. Looking up at it to see the grain would also be a little hard, especially when the light is on. I've moved onto a few other projects for now. I don't wanna force it like most of you suggested. I will post something when I decide to do something with it.
 
#26 ·
My wife says I am a "Wood Whore". It seems I can't pass up an interesting or unusual piece of wood. It's like that board be calling my name. She won't let me go to Woodcraft anymore. I have more wood than I can use the rest of my life but still I buy more. God some Red Cedar that just came in and I have some small quantities of Beetle Kill Pine coming in this next week. I went by my saw mill about 2 weeks ago just to look, not intending to buy anything but damn, wouldn't you know, there were several boards of Ambrosia Maple with my name on them.

I sometimes think I love the look and feel of the wood better than the project I can make from it. But granddaughter and grandson are just starting families of their own and can always use a coffee table, towel cabinet for the bath, or shelves for the great grand baby's room. Everything has got a place where it can be used especially if it is a grandpa heirlooim.
 
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