Posted by Graham Knight on October 06, 2003 at 01:17:06:
In Reply to: Ipe for Boatbuilding posted by John on October 05, 2003 at 23:26:10:
Ipe Tabebuia spp . (Tabebuia serratifolia) Other common names: Ipe, lapacho, cortez Corteza, corteza amarilla
Distribution:
Tree Data: Ipe is a large canopy tree, growing to a height of 120 feet in the natural rainforest, with trunk diameter up to 3 feet and a clear bole of 60 feet. Some specimens grow to 150 feet with a 6 foot diameter trunk.
Timber Properties : Ipe heartwood is light to dark olive brown, often with attractive lighter or darker striping and striking contrasts with the lighter color sapwood. It has a fine texture, medium luster, and a somewhat oily appearance. Ipe is very hard (two to three times as hard as oak), very strong and very heavy. It weighs approximately 70 pounds per cubic foot and sinks in water. Ipe is rated as extremely durable. 1300 KG / M3
Working Characteristics:
Common Uses: Ipe is prized for quality furniture and decorative veneers, and because of its strength and durability, is used in boardwalks, tool handles, turnery, industrial flooring, and textile mill items.
General : Ipe has been exploited for years and is becoming increasingly rare outside of national parks and reserves.
Data taken from http://www.woodbook.co.uk, a very useful site which I refer to quite often. It doesn't say anything about suitability, it certainly seems durable if it's being used for boardwalks and industrial flooring. The weight might be an issue though, and if it's that hard it may be difficult to work with?
It's not listed above, but another website suggests it's also known as Ironwood.
: Does anyone have experience using ipe to build a boat? Does it work with marine epoxy? I have read that it is about as strong as white oak and more durable. I can buy ipe in 1x4 material for $1.15 a lineal foot and 1x6 for $1.56 a lineal foot. This is less expensive than white oak locally which makes me want to use it.