SIGforum
Ipe wood cut out

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June 04, 2025, 07:00 PM
davetruong
Ipe wood cut out
Hello hive! We are remodeling the front of our house and using ipe for some elements. I'd like to take a piece of ipe and cut out our address. I know there's a resin component to it that may not be great for laser cut outs, and it could be too hard for traditional cut outs...just wondering if it's possible is all. Thank you!


God, Family, Country.

June 04, 2025, 07:03 PM
PGT
Believe a water jet or mill/CNC would be the better option; it's hard enough not to absorb anything. A laser would likely burn it more than cut all the way through unless it's very thin (.50" or less).
June 04, 2025, 07:04 PM
ArtieS
6 axis mill if you want computer controlled machining, or a Bridgeport mill for hand work?

My father made the crushing drum for a rotary wine press out of rock maple on a metal lathe, because the wood was too hard for accurate cutting on a traditional wood lathe.


"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
June 04, 2025, 07:14 PM
mark60
Look for someone local with a CNC router, carbide cuts IPE just fine. It's hard and it dulls cutting edges but it cuts with sharp tools. I just sold my CNC or I'd cut it out for you.