Well, it took me 6.5 hours to complete one chair out of Cumaru.
Im not sure what the relationship is to Ipe, but Im pretty sure its all about the same darn stuff. Very, very smooth, known for decking that you can walk barefoot on.
I did not change my blades in either saw, even though I purchased new blades.
It cut fairly easy on table saw and mitre saw, not many burns.
Routing over the edges were beautiful.
Now drilling and jigsawing, that was a challenge for me.
I broke 2 jigsaw blades attempting to do the 30 degree angle cuts. Both times the blades(t type, bosch) cracked at the T.
I had a blade by bosch called Bimetal, and when I put that in, it cut relatively easily, even on the angle.
Drilling through, I used Tapered hardened stell bits by Dewalt, and it was very challenging. Sometimes, while smoking, Id hear a pop, and a spark, like a firecracker. I kinda figured the friction was igniting something, maybe the wood, the oils, I dont know. The 18V ryobi's were struggling, and I had to change off batteries constantly, couldnt wait for full charges.
I cracked only one Bit, but that was my fault cause I drilled into the arm, hit a cross screw holding the arm bracket, and and the bit end cracked.
I also had to recut the arm bracket, cause if the hole was not drilled perfectly straight and all the way past the tip of the screw, any screw going in not pre-drilled for any distance, split the wood instantly.
I split the arm bracket again, but not bad, in the back, so I forced some glue in, and clamped it. The chair is mine, I can live with it.(tightbond IIIglue, I have no clue how strong the bond will be, only time will tell, but I sat in it for a while, and Im quite a big boy, so Im sure it will be okay. Screws seemed to catch well and felt tight)
I decided to go with a BLO oil and spar-varnish mix to finish the cumaru chair.
I have not sanded it but I put some poly on all the end cuts, only cause Mr. Plesums mentioned it somewhere in his posts about the furniture and planter he built, and I had no end grain sealent, but figured this might be just as good.
Overall, 6.5 hours, 2 jigsaw bits, one drill bit, but not a bad experience.
Im going to purchase alot fo this wood end of summer when I get up to buffalo. I intend on making one more adirondack chair, then Im going to attempt to build a complete outdoor set, table, 4 chairs, using alot of Mand T joinery. Its about time I attempt some quality work. I cant run away from the inevitable forever.(Ill purchase a drill press by then)
The chair isnt as heavy as I thought it would be, a bit heavier than white oak, but manageable.
My wife had trouble lifting it, but could move it.
I told her Ill chain it to her car tonight, since they are expecting strong storms, and it will keep her car from blowing away.
Heres the chair.
Cumaru is on the left, the small piece of wood, is a sample of the finish Im going to use, around 10% spar varnish mixed with BLO. I dont know much else, and I have a ton of BLO.
Id take recos if anyone knows a great finish.
The chair on the right is the African Mahogany, stained with Minwax RedChestnut, not drying too well, the air is saturated with humidity for the past few days.
Im posting this to share my experience with Cumaru/Ipe wood. Id highly recommend it to anyone, its quite beautiful, a bit heavy, but I believe its just as pretty, if not more, than high quality Teak.