One of the local woodyards I deal with is trying to sell me some sepale (sp?) for a flat work project I need to do that will also have some turnings on it. It appears to be similar to mahogany but from South America. The price is right and looks like it will work for the flat work portion of the project, but I have never heard anyone mention it for turning. Any one have any input or experience with it?
-
May 2025 Turning Challenge: Long Neck Hollowform! (click here for details) -
Congratulations to Phil Hamel winner of the April 2025 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Congratulations to Maggie Shapiro for "My 2nd Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for 26 May, 2025 (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Sepale
- Thread starter woodwish
- Start date
Sapele is from Central and West Africa. It is a cousin of Mahogany, but is somewhat softer and lighter. It can be a tad squirrelly at times. but is gaining much favor as a tonewood for guitars. Quilted Sapele could make a beautiful project. I have used it with my guitar work and have turned turkey and duck calls with it. It should turn well for you for legs and finials, but don't expect to hold too much detail.
Pronounced.....Suh-Pee'-Lay......."Suh" like in supper!
Pronounced.....Suh-Pee'-Lay......."Suh" like in supper!
Last edited:
My local HW dealer has quite a bit of it, I have turned some of it with a Pomelle (Like Quilting) figure to it. I turned a couple of eggs and a birdhouse - they turned out very nice...
Give it a try...
Give it a try...
If you think it will work, why not get a short board and do a glued up block. See how the local version turns with the details you will want in the finished product.