Identification of woods on cabinet

[classicmels]

Hi all, I recently purchased a cabinet at auction described as oak, upon picking it up only some of it I can identify as oak, I would appreciate any thoughts on this please.

 

[Keith 66]

It all looks like oak to me.

 

[classicmels]

It all looks like oak to me.

Oh really, are there so many variations with grains then?

 

[Keith 66]

Yes, depends if its rift or quarter sawn, where the tree grew & how fast, what soil, fungal attack, It varies a lot.

 

[Fred48]

I second @Keith 66

 

[Sgian Dubh]

It's tiger oak, on the way to brown oak caused by fungal infection, specifically Fistulina hepatica (aka, Beefstaek fungus or ox-tongue fungus) in the live tree. Slainte.

 

[Ginlow]

Hi all, I recently purchased a cabinet at auction described as oak, upon picking it up only some of it I can identify as oak, I would appreciate any thoughts on this please.

Oak for me as well, one panel could be from a very big tree and is more quarter sawn that's giving you cross section of medullary rays. Think the struts are pine looking. Pretty wood. You can smell oak if you sand it you can test for tannin with ebonising a small unseen bit. Should go black almost instantly if it's oak. Big faff though its oak haa

 

[Fred48]

All the components of the doors have medullary rays. All oak in my opinion.
Fred

 

[eribaMotters]

If it is post war utility, which it may be as what framework is on show is devoid of ornamentation, then it could be chestnut.

Colin

 

[Fred48]

Hi Colin
I've just checked on 'The Wood Database' and there are no medullary rays shown on an end grain section of chestnut.
I'm just wondering why you believe that it could be chestnut.
I'm hoping to learn something here
Fred

 

[eribaMotters]

The idea of Chestnut is based upon my limited experience of post war utility furniture. It was used as an alternative to oak as it was cheaper. I'd always thought of it looking similar to oak, but rather blotchy or woolly in appearance, slightly larger in grain. I think it is softer, possibly as a result of quicker growing. Would this make it patchy in appearance as it could absorb finishes unevenly?

Colin

 

[Fred48]

Hi Colin
I have used chestnut many years ago when making partners desks for a company in Liverpool. We used it instead of oak for the drawer sides backs and bottoms. It was lighter and much easier to work than oak, and cheaper. The French publishers did stain the chestnut and it looked good.
Fred

 

[classicmels]

This is much later and I believe quite modern, I've take the adjustable shelf brackets out because i'm a total hater, here is a photo of one of them, I also believe it must be something other than oak in places because it's incredibly soft on the darker pieces of wood, like on the door frame unless some oak's are soft? For example, I purchased some beautiful seasoned oak for a garden bench and that was a nightmare to put screws into, so I have some idea of the hardness. I'll take some more macro photos.

 

[classicmels]

Hi all, Thank you for bearing with me, I've taken these hi res photos, I hope the shed light better than the previous ones, I appreciate the help.

 

[HOJ]

What is it you are trying to establish? and does it matter, its scoring high on the Oak option.

 

[classicmels]

What is it you are trying to establish? and does it matter, its scoring high on the Oak option.

I've never had a piece of furniture with so many different colours of the same wood, I've purchased blind other items in the recent past described as such and when I receive them they're far eastern copies of antiques and or Arts & crafts and it's becoming a bit of a joke, sadly I can't always have a close look at anything if it's a fair distance away however, there are a lot of even professionals who shall dupe you and sell you trash for a premium. That's why.

 

[Fred48]

Your original photos, as @Sgian Dubh wrote is tiger oak on its way to Brown oak.
Your latest images show the the tiger oak in places have been glued to plain grained oak.I
Fred

 

[classicmels]

Your original photos, as @Sgian Dubh wrote is tiger oak on its way to Brown oak.
Your latest images show the the tiger oak in places have been glued to plain grained oak.I
Fred

Thank you very much.

 

[Fred48]

Thank you very much.

Pleasure