What wood ?

[Johnny65]

Any body have any idea what type of timber this is, it's got a very light tinge of pink to it, it was a window sill taken out of an edwardian house being refurbished, I don't think it's a hardwood. I thought it was Mahogany but I don't think it is, its not heavy enough.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I would think it's a hardwood. Lauan/meranti?

 

[Johnny65]

I would think it's a hardwood. Lauan/meranti?

Never heard of either.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

https://www.wood-database.com/dark-red-meranti/
It might not be, of course. Commonly used for joinery, though.

 

[profchris]

It's just possible that it's Spanish Cedar (a mahogany relative, not a real cedar). I found some in a Victorian wardrobe, just a couple of rails.

If it's surprisingly light and dents easily, that's my guess. I get a spicy smell when its planed. Often used for guitar necks by classical builders.

 

[Keith 66]

It is Luan or Philipine mahogany, its related to Meranti, Some is almost as light as balsa others are heavier.
I have a board just like it, It is very prone to thundershakes & is not very durable. Was used in the window industry for frames for many years.
Dark red meranti although related is very different, I have two old boards that are 16ft long x 14x2, it is as heavy as Oak!

 

[Orraloon]

Looks like meranti. Actually meranti is a generic name covering a number of woods.
Meranti Wood | Types of Meranti, Uses, Advantages, and Disadvantages

There is a fair bit of variation and if you get the chance to pick the harder heaver boards its a nice wood to work with. Quite a low rate of movement too.
Regards
John

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It is Luan or Philipine mahogany, its related to Meranti, Some is almost as light as balsa others are heavier.
I have a board just like it, It is very prone to thundershakes & is not very durable. Was used in the window industry for frames for many years.
Dark red meranti although related is very different, I have two old boards that are 16ft long x 14x2, it is as heavy as Oak!

The Wood Data Dase classes them all three together.

 

[Keith 66]

They might be classed together & related but are very different in practice, It probably depends a lot on the conditions where it grows. The range in density is huge, the two heavy boards i have are a deep reddish purple with a lustrous smooth finish when planed & extremely hard & heavy.