Can anyone identify this wood?

[nuzuki]

About 8yrs ago I went on holiday to bali and bought back this piece of drift wood. Local bar man seemed to think it was what they made the boats from. Possibly a piece of cedar. The region was Lombok for any wood enthusiasts.
Anyhow I thought I'd make a nice house sign from it and wanted to varnish it.
Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[JohnD]

I don't know, but cedar is a bit oily and has a scent when cut. Starts a bit yellow and goes grey unless oiled. I'd have thought yours was a red tropical hardwood. The boat builders near me use teak for fancy yacht work, I've had a few offcuts for window and cladding repairs.

I've seen a wood-identifying chart that includes density tables (weight per ml) as well as grain photos.

 

[big-all]

my money is on rough sawn iroko

 

[JohnD]

Iroko is oily so it may suit oiling rather than varnish.

I use boiled linseed oil. Multiple thin coats, wipe off any excess that doesn't soak in or it will turn to sticky gum. Wet the used rags with water as they can self-ignite.

 

[^woody^]

Grain is too tight for [western red] cedar and it's not native to Bali. Unless they use cedar as a generic colloquialism for another local species.

It looks a bit too tight and regular for iroko too.

Looks like Sapele - which has that grain pattern and colour.

 

[foxhole]

Being drift wood could have come from anywhere .

 

[HERTS P&D]

Turn it over and scratch it and see if it gives off a smell.

Andy

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Merbau