just received my Ipe shipment from East Teak

16 years ago

I have started on my deck, got done with most of the framing, still need to correct a few things, and plan down a few spots. I will post pictures once I get set up.

Got my shipment from George this afternoon, all 4000+lbs of it. 1650 LF of 1x6, plus 4x4, 2x4, 5/4x6 for railing cap and some other stuff. Here are my first impressions and questions:

1) The biggest problem I noticed right away is the check/crack in the 4x4. Out of the 14 pcs of 4x4x48, 6 has full length check/crack along the 48" length, 4 of these had multiple check/crack in that direction that looked like spider web. A few were wide enough I can dig in with my nail easily. They are in terrible shape. These crack/check also shows on the 4x4 end, going across the whole width, corsponding to the exact check location on the other side. I'm wondering if the wood will split along these lines. If this is the quality of product they are offering, I will not consider it acceptable. I will have to talk to George soon to see what he is going to do about it. The other 4x4 that are 6Â and 12Â has almost no check/crack at all. All the ends where they were cut has a very heave coat of the max, and it did not seem to have helped any.

2) Measured about 12 pcs of the 1x6 with a caliper. Width varied from 5.25 Â 5.45, maybe 1 pc was 5.5. Consistent with what I have read here.

3) The belly effect is minimal, less than 1/32" from the ends to the middle, so thatÂs good. Maybe only 1 had 1/32" difference.

4) Thickness. About 6 pcs were 0.725-0.735, 4 were about 0.74, 2 were actually 0.75. Not sure if this is normal or not. The sample I got from them was 0.745.

5) Length. all were at least 1/2" longer or more.

6) Have not had a chance to see how much bow they have.

7) Appearance. There were at least 8-10 boards that looked old. The surface looked like they been laying in mud for a long time, with water marks and everything. Can these be restored back to look like the other pieces? Do I have to sand them and RAD? I mean they look really bad. IÂm worried they will not match other piece that looks new.

8) They were very liberal with the use of the end wax. Most pieces shows that stuff at much as 1" from the edge, and some dripped on the boards as well. It darkens the wood by a lot. How easy is it to remove them and will it show as discoloration after sealing it? I donÂt know if RAD will do the trick or not.

All and all, not yet sure about this, mainly because of the issue with the 4x4. I will talk to them and see how this will be resolved.

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Comments (5)

alb1k
16 years ago
Everyone talks about 4X4 ipe posts cracking. Mine were 8" and perfect. I cut them, installed them, and they cracked in the sun. All the cracks are along the grain, there are no structural issues. To me, ipe posts look better on an ipe deck than any other post material. The cracks don't bother me and the posts look great. Imperfections generally do bother me, but not ones that are natural to a natural material. I wouldn't worry about it unless structural issues arise or they split. I don't think it will bother you long after the deck is done. The 6' and 12' lengths will crack as well, sooner if you cut them.
john_hyatt
16 years ago
Thats normal with 4x4 ipe. Those little checks can be fixed with tightbond 111/ipe saw dust/orbital sander. When I use the bigerIpe material we just plan on doing that.
Using a caliper on ipe,or any other lumber is really going too far its not going to be perfect straight out of the mill. Now if you want it perfect this material can be run thru a trim mill the kind of machine used to make material for tables , chairs, door fasings,things like that, but for decking all those little diferances are completly normal.

Ipe comes over sized so the Carpenter can square up the cuts while doing this the waxed ends are removed. Yard dust , water stains, color diferances, these are all things Carpenters always deal with. John
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tom_nwnj
16 years ago
What size round-over bit do you use, to match the milled edge on the IPE boards?

I'm guessing it's a 5/16" ?

TIA
nelson_ohio
Original Author
16 years ago
I know most people wouldn't put a caliper on a piece of lumber, I read someone posting about his deck developing a belly, so I thought I will check before putting them down. Something to do while letting it sit.

The check, in at least 2-3 cases, I would not consider them small. Not only they go the whole length, they also go accross the width and shows on the other side. It looks like a layed cake. For the smaller cracks, I do plan on collecting the dust and fill in like John said.

The wax mark goes about 1" in from the edge, the extra length is only about 1/2", so they can not be cut off completely. I just worry that would still show even if I clear it with RAD or what ever else. Anyone has any experience with this?
nelson_ohio
Original Author
16 years ago
Just want to update everyone on the my experience with East Teak and their Ipe.

George sent me 6 more 4' posts to replace these I consider not usable. No problem.

After helf way through the install, I found out I was actually missing 2 pieces. I only got 17 instead of 19. The bundle came loose during shipping, and I didn't count the exact number of the 4x4 right away. In any case, I called East Teak and talked to them again, I wasn't sure if they could do anything. Right away, they said they'll shipping me 2 more piece. How about that.

So, I will say East Teak is someone I would recommend based on my own experience.

Although i'm not sure if I would use 4x4 ipe post again if i have to start all over. I took 1 of these rejected 4x4 and cut it in half. The checking does go all the way through in some areas. If that's what I can expect for all my 4x4s sooner or later, I don't feel comfortable that it's not sturcturelly effected some how.

just received my Ipe shipment from East Teak

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alb1k

john_hyatt

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just received my Ipe shipment from East Teak

Comments (5)

alb1k

john_hyatt

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