Is this Grevillea (Silky Oak)

[ROB NZ]

I'm fortunate to be tutored by Fred Irvine at Waikato Polytechnic, Hamilton, N.Z. and it came from his collection. He said it was Grevillea, but when I asked whether it could be Banksia, he said it could be.

I'l see if he's got another bit and then try the smell test.
Cheers,
ROB NZ

[rsser]

And as far as finishing goes, the UV will darken most timbers first off. Expect you know that.

If you want minimum darkening then don't use an oil-based finish. I like nitrocellulose sanding sealer for SO or Huon Pine but white shellac should be fine too.

You could also try just a plain waxed finish.

[Toymaker Len]

Banksia, have a look at the grain in the centre, not g. robusta. Being banksia it needs lots of sealing as it is very porous, much more so than silky oak.

[ROB NZ]

Thanks again everyone. I have especially noted Len's comment about sealing.

Last night at woodturning class, the guy who added the piece to Fred's collection turned up. He told me that the timber came from a local golf club shelter belt when it was cut down, and Banksia integrifolia it definitely is. He identified the sulphur coloured flowers.

No smell when turned, but what brilliant colour and figure.

After consideration, I'm going with a sanding sealer, followed by an oil, probably Organoil, (a) because I've got some and (b) because I've tried it out with and without sealer on some sample pieces of Banksia which I got from a neighbour's place.

When done, I'll put a couple of photos on the wood turning thread.

We have a NZ native in the Proteacea family, native name Rewarewa, Botanical name, Knightia excelsa, common name NZ Honeysuckle, which produces wood with a similar figuring. Its a scarce as the proverbial hen's teeth, and used mostly for inlay work.

Cheers,
ROB NZ

[reeves]

ok interesting, i had never seen light colored Banksia only the darker stuff.
I guess the lack of smell gave it away as not being SO.

thanks for the answer

[paul collins]

i would go for robust .i got a tree from a frined identical grain,he swears it was robusta.lovely to turn .

[paul collins]

sorry i would make that robusta & friend

[AlexS]

Rob, it should look great when finished the way you propose. I used shellac as a sanding sealer followed by oil - came up a treat.

[Ivor]

I would post a photo but the batteries on the digital have gone flat but I logged about 10 Banksia trees a few years ago and that photo is a dead ringer for the cross section of one of those trees. The trees were from near Newcastle NSW. Trouble is that I haven't seen a log of silky oak.

Take my word for it it is definitely a Banksia, but I don't know about the species.

[Penqueen]

Exactly and some "Silky Oak" aren't even of the same genera let alone the same family. Tasmanian Oak for instance is a Eucalyptus species.