Help identifying timber board

[Philw]

Hi guys, I picked up three lengths of this timber from a 1950s school we demolished. Finally got around to sanding it down and wondering which species it is and recommendations for an appropriate dark stain finish?
Your help as ever is hugely appreciated.
Phil

 

[GerryT]

I’ll have a go.
Pitch pine ?

 

[Phill05]

I'll have a go now No it's not pitch pine is it this one: your images are a little too far away to see properly.

Phill

 

[Philw]

I’ll have a go.
Pitch pine ?

There isn’t a single knot on the board which makes me doubt. Amd FYI a couple of reclamation lads put them to one side having identified them as valuable timber - just not enough of it for them to bother taking it.

 

[Philw]

I'll have a go now No it's not pitch pine is it this one: your images are a little too far away to see properly.

Phill

View attachment 118005

additional photos below. Not finished sanding yet and there is still residue but tried to choose two well sanded areas.
There isn’t quite the black grain on my boards as seen on yours

 

[GerryT]

additional photos below. Not finished sanding yet and there is still residue but tried to choose two well sanded areas.
There isn’t quite the black grain on my boards as seen on yours

Yes not pitch pine Phil

The two later photos are clearer but I’m non the wiser.
I’m sure someone will get it eventually.

 

[Phill05]

It's not black grain it's dirt from storage for the last 40 years, you can tell from the light brown inclusions it is the same, It is now classed as valuable because you cannot import it it is on the CITES protected list, in it's day it was reasonably priced and used for making all kinds of mouldings the name is Ramin ( Gonystylus spp ) from South east Asia.

 

[GerryT]

Snooker cues spring to mind with Ramin, at least the cheaper ones.
That’s good detective work Phil.

 

[Phill05]

It takes stain well but you can over do it and get blotches, a clear-cote looks really good and highlights the grain a little.
Use it well because you will not buy it again.

 

[Phill05]

GerryT,
Correct I used to make a few as ramin is very strong it hold up well, I made a lot of different mouldings with it as it was good to cut and shape.
Been using some lately on the cnc machine for some plaques.

 

[Philw]

It's not black grain it's dirt from storage for the last 40 years, you can tell from the light brown inclusions it is the same, It is now classed as valuable because you cannot import it it is on the CITES protected list, in it's day it was reasonably priced and used for making all kinds of mouldings the name is Ramin ( Gonystylus spp ) from South east Asia.

Thanks Phill, good to have a name for it. I’ll test a sample stain and see how it comes out. I’m going to make a floating desk out of it and will likely just glue the boards together so could split later.
thanks again both of you

 

[Cabinetman]

Reminds me of a timber that used to be used for all sorts of cheap jobs that wanted something better than pine, Abura, haven’t seen any for years now except a little bit in my workshop. Ian

 

[Keith 66]

My money is on Parana Pine, it used to be used for shelving in schools & was available in quite large boards, It often has greenish or reddish streaks but these fade with exopsure to age. It is quite soft with a silky lustre.