Know your wood: African Rosewood

African Rosewood

This is a pretty good image showing the coloration and complexity of African Rosewood. Lots of color and interesting features in this species.

Trade Names: African Rosewood.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae – Pea family
Genus: Guibourtia
Species: coleosperma

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2090

Description: Grain is anything from straight to highly distinct and rippled. African Rosewood can have some very interesting featuring, depending on the tree and the cut. Generally speaking, however, African Rosewood is less figured than Bubinga.

Location: Southern Africa, namely: Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia.

The seed pods and foliage of an African Rosewood are featured on this Namibian stamp. Follow this link if you are fluent in Japanese and collect stamps for presumably much more information.

Common Aliases: Bastermopane, False mopane, M’chibi, Machibi, Mtjibi, Mucibe, Muxibe, Muzauri, Rhodesian copalwood, Rhodesian mahogany, Rhodesian teak.

Performance: African Rosewood generally saws without difficulty. It is a very durable wood, and is better than average in resistance to insects.

Affordability: $$$$ Cheaper in Europe than in the United States. Deals can be had in purchasing African rosewood, but timing is everything with this import.

Common Uses: Tools, agricultural implements, boats, cabinetry, veneers, flooring, fine furnishings, heavy construction, plywood, railroad ties, turnings, wheels.

From: The Wood Explorer:
Common Name(s): African Rosewood
Scientific Name: Guibourtia coleosperma
Distribution: Central and southern Africa
Tree Size: 35-70 ft tall, 1-3 ft trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 46-52 lbs/ft3
Basic Specific Gravity: .66
Hardness: 2,090 lbf
Rupture Strength: 14629 lbf/in2
Elastic Strength: 1,326,000 lbf/in2
Crushing Strength: 7,260 lbf/in2
Shrinkage: Radial: 3%, Tangential: 7%, T/R Ratio: 2.33

Know your wood: Purpleheart

Purpleheart

There is a good pictorial detailing this purpleheart guitar’s construction here. I imagine there might be a candle maker’s tutorial, as well?



Trade Names: Purpleheart , Amaranth

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida – Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae - Pea family
Genus: Peltogyne
Species: porphyrocardia, venosa, paniculata, and others.

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2390

For all you botanists out there, Peltogyne paniculata, according to Wikipedia.

Description: Purpleheart refers to many of the species from the Genus Peltogyne. When this dense tropical hardwood is sawn, the heartwood appears dull gray/purple-brown, but when exposed a bit, turns into a vibrant hue of purple. Over time, this color can fade, but the striking violets can be somewhat retained using a high-quality UV inhibitor. Purpleheart has generally straight grain, but irregularities are common. Texture is medium, pores are tight.

Location: Central and South America, namely: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname

Further information on Purpleheart found here, as seen in the Wood Explorer database.

Common Aliases: Amarante, Amaranth, Barabu, Bois violet, Ellongrypho, Kooroobovelli, Koroborelli, Lastan, Morado, Palo morado, Pao violeta, Pau roxo, Pelo morado, Saka, Sakavalli, Violetwood.

Performance: Purple is very durable against rot and insect infestation. Keep your tools sharp when working purpleheart, as the wood becomes gummy when it becomes too hot. Like I said before, it’s an interesting wood…

Affordability: $$$ Purpleheart is a relatively affordable and widely available specialty wood in the United States.

Common Uses: Audio equipment, billiard cues, bridges, millwork, skis, sporting goods, wharf construction, specialty guitars, veneers, furnishings, cabinetry, small wooden craft items.

From: The Wood Database:
Common Name(s): Purpleheart, Amaranth
Scientific Name: Peltogyne spp.
Distribution: Central and South America (from Mexico down to southern Brazil)
Tree Size: 100-170 ft (30-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 61 lbs/ft3 (980 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .79
Hardness: 2,390 lbf (10,630 N)
Rupture Strength: 22,000 lbf/in2 (151,700 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,586,000 lbf/in2 (17,830 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,350 lbf/in2 (92.1 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.2%, Tangential: 6.1%, Volumetric: 9.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Know your wood: Makore

Makore

A very interesting application of figured, steamed Makore veneer, or so it appears. I should probably let Salk Signature Sound take care of my speaker building in ten or fifteen years.

Trade Names: Makore , Abacu.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Ebenales
Family: Sapotaceae – Sapodilla family
Genus: Tieghemalla
Species: heckelii

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1110

A craftsman-style Makore credenza and desk, custom made by Y B Normal Custom Woodworking. There are a lot of interesting custom jobs in their catalogue.

Description: Pinks and red browns are the general colors seen in Makore. One of the features that makes Makore so sought is the unusual figuring common in this species. Makore is finely textured with tight pores. Grain patterns, as noted above, are absolutely all over the place.

Why just get an Aston-Martin when you can get an Aston-Martin with custom Makore interior details? Rau Automotive Details is happy to answer just this type of question.

Location: Africa, namely: Burkina faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone.

Further information on Mimusops heckelli found here, as seen in the Wood Explorer database.

Common Aliases: Other species marketed or known locally as Makore include: Tieghemella Africana (Abacu), and Mimusops heckelli. Other variations of Makore include: Abako, African cherry, Agamokive, Asaka, Babou, Babu, Bako, Baku, Cherry mahogany, Dimori, Douka, Dumore, Edumoi, Hochioo, Makarou, Makori, Makwe, Nduka, Okola, Opepe, Rubber tree, Ukola, and many others.

Performance: The heartwood of Makore is very durable, and is resistant to insect attack. Makore will cause some tool blunting, but is generally easy to work. It has a low luster due to a high silica content, but it shapes well, and is relatively easy to glue. Finishes pretty well.

Affordability: $$$$ Makore tends to run on the upper end of the price spectrum in the United States.

Common Uses: Audio equipment, specialty guitars, veneers, furnishings, cabinetry, boatbuilding, small wooden craft items.

From: The Wood Database:
Common Name(s): Makore
Scientific Name: Tieghemella heckelii, Tieghemella africana
Distribution: Western and Middle Africa (from Sierra Leone to Gabon)
Tree Size: 180-200 ft (55-60 m) tall, 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 43 lbs/ft3 (690 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .55
Hardness: 1,110 lbf (4,940 N)
Rupture Strength: 16,030 lbf/in2 (110,570 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,520,000 lbf/in2 (10,480 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 8,510 lbf/in2 (58.7 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.5%, Tangential: 7.4%, Volumetric: 10.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.3

Know your wood: Iroko

Iroko

Iroko, as seen in the Wood Explorer database.

Trade Names: Iroko, African teak.






Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Hamamelididae
Order: Urticales
Family: Moraceae – Mulberry family
Genus: Chlorophora Gaudich. – african teak
Species: Chlorophora excelsa (Welw.) Benth. – african teak

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1260

Greg Kriebel’s example of an Iroko Sideboard seen here.

Description: Iroko has heartwood of a light brown color which usually deepens in hue over time. Iroko is relatively coarse with interlocking grain and open pores. The Wikipedia explanation of Iroko includes a summary that the tree is considered sacred to the Yoruba people of Benin and Nigeria. The belief stated there is that anyone who sees the Iroko man face to face dies from insanity. I try to keep the Iroko out of my home for this reason alone. Yoruba legend extends great misfortune to the woodcutter of the iroko tree, but it is unclear whether this extension applies to the woodworker yielding finished product, so I’ll make a broad assumption that the guy felling the tree and his family are the only misfortunates affected by the Yoruba curse.

Mr. Ibu & Tonto Dikeh have a shared excitement of all things Iroko.

Location: Africa, namely: Angola, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Congo.

Common Aliases: Abang, Cambala, Kambala, Mandji, Mokongo, Moreira, Mvuli, Odoum, Odum, Oroko, Semli, Rokko, Timmi, Tule mufala

Performance: Interlocking grain pattern can cause some challenges in performance, but all in all, Iroko is easy to work. Iroko is oftentimes used as a substitute for Teak, much more so in Europe, Africa, and the East than in the United States.

Affordability: $$ The key issue here is availability. When available in the United States market, it is an affordable and very durable tropical hardwood alternative.

Common Uses: Boat construction, Cabinetry, Carvings, furnishings, flooring, interior construction, millwork, hatracks, piling, audio equipment, veneer, plywood, wheels.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Iroko
Scientific Name: Milicia excelsa, M. regia (syn. Chlorophora excelsa, C. regia)
Distribution: Tropical Africa
Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (675 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .55
Hardness: 1,260 lbf (5,610 N)
Rupture Strength: 12,700 lbf/in2 (87,590 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,360,000 lbf/in2 (9,380 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,840 lbf/in2 (54.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 3.8%, Volumetric: 8.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

Know your wood: Bubinga

Bubinga

I’ve been kind of put in a mood to throw together some speakers soon. Salk Sound has the Veracity to assemble in Bubinga seen here. Sharp pieces in their catalogue.

Trade Names: Bubinga.

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Tribe: Detarieae
Genus: Guibourtia
Species: demeusei, tessmannii, pellegriniana, and others.

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2610

Jeff Robertson of Allied Lutherie seems to have the ability to put together a mean guitar. A nice catalogue of items like the one pictured here, from one of the irregular bubingas.

Description: Heartwood coloration is all over the place, from pinkish red to deeper red-browns, with sapwood of a very pale color. See guitar below. It’s texture is fine, with interlocked grain. Bubingas can be highly figured and quite irregular.

Location: Africa, specifically the tropical regions of Angola, Camerooon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire.

A pretty tight shot of one of many variations of Bubinga from the Wood Explorer database.

Common Aliases: Essingang, Kevazingo, Ovang, Waka, Akume, Buvenga, Eban, Ebana, Kasasesase, Lianu, Lusase, Okweni, Ovang, Waku, Irun nduk, Kevazingo, Milne. ***We will deal with African Rosewood separately, though it is sometimes referred to as Bubinga. The two woods share Genus, and we consider them different products altogether.

Performance: Varies somewhat among the various species, but generally is a durable hardwood. Generally easy to work. Tearout can occur, and gluing can be difficult due to the oil content of the stock. Bubinga will stink when it’s wet, but that smell can go away with dried or finished samples. Bubinga has an excellent strength to weight ratio, and is among the most uniquely figured hardwoods. Very versatile for many reasons.
Affordability: $$$ Still a relatively good investment grade lumber, considering the source and distance travelled to arrive to US markets.

Common Uses: Guitars, speakers, audio equipment, boats, cabinetry, furnishings, moldings, millwork, turnings, veneers, hatracks.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Bubinga
Scientific Name: Guibourtia spp. (G. demeusei, G. pellegriniana, G. tessmannii, etc.)
Distribution: Equatorial Africa
Tree Size: 130-150 ft (40-45 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 58 lbs/ft3 (925 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .72
Hardness: 2,610 lbf (11,610 N)
Rupture Strength: 25,100 lbf/in2 (173,100 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,717,000 lbf/in2 (18,740 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,030 lbf/in2 (76.1 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.8%, Tangential: 8.4%, Volumetric: 13.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

Know your wood: Aniegre

Aniegre

Searching innocently for images of Aniegre, Anigre, and Anegre, one might stumble accidentally upon Arizona Muse flipping some Louis Vuitton handbags. She can call herself whatever she wants for as long as she wants, and I’ll keep telling myself she’s sitting on a plank of Aniegre for this shoot. The lovely Arizona has this outfit figured right out.

Trade Names: Aniegre, Anigre, Anegre.

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Sapotaceae
Genus: Aningeria
Species: A. altissima, A. dombeyi, A. robusta, A. superba, and many others marketable as Aniegre.

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 930

Description: Heartwood is a pale yellow, sometimes accented with faint hues of red. Texture is medium with closed pores. Without Arizona Muse in the discussion, Aniegre is rather plain looking, relatively similar to the maples, but softer.

Location: Central Africa, namely: Cameroon, Zaire, Congo, Mozambique, Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Ethiopia.

We don’t make these Orion loudspeakers, which were copyrighted by Siegfried Linkwitz. Fortunately for society, Carleton Woodworking can set you on track if you’ve got Arizona Muse coming over for a hot date. Always best to have some Aniegre veneer around the house, just in case.

Common Aliases: Aningeria blanc, Asamfona, Kali, Kararo, Landojan, M’boul, Mukalati, Muna, N’kali, Nkalate, Nkalati, Osan, and many other regional language references. What I know for sure is there is not one English consensus here.

Performance: Aniegre is a commonly used veneer wood, as seen in the photo above. The overall performance of the wood is probably slightly below average, but it’s a good multi-purpose lumber. Again, it’s more widely used in Europe than the United States, but it is used for everything from bulk production products to specialty lumber designs. A solid all-around wood, though not very hard, and not particularly resistant to rot and insects.

Affordability: $$ Aniegre is widely available and relatively affordable for an African import. It’s more widely used in Europe due to its close proximity to source stands.

You say you want to look at the lumber? Without Arizona Muse? I’ll take your word for it, courtesy of the fantastic Wood Explorer Database, but it certainly won’t be the same...

Common Uses: Aniegre is generally a specialty wood used in many different applications such as: Flooring, paneling, furniture, arts and crafts, carvings, turnings, organ pipes, pianos, plywood, veneer, and etc.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Anigre, Anegre, Aniegre, Aningeria
Scientific Name: Aningeria spp. (A. adolfi-friederici, A. altissima, A. dombeyi, A. robusta, etc.)
Distribution: Africa (most common in tropical areas of east Africa)
Tree Size: 180 ft (55 m) tall, 3-4 ft (1.0-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 32 lbs/ft3 (510 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .40
Hardness: 930 lbf (4,160 N)
Rupture Strength: 11,490 lbf/in2 (79,220 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,324,000 lbf/in2 (9,130 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 6,590 lbf/in2 (45.4 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 7.0%, Volumetric: 11.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.8

Know your wood: Wenge

Wenge

I would have come up with about a thousand uses for Wenge before coming across this switchplate. This, and many other species are available at C&R Woodcrafters.

Trade Name: Wenge.

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Millettieae
Genus: Millettia
Species: M. laurentii

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2240

Description: Deep brown and figured with contrasting grain of a nearly black color. Generally straight grained and coarsely textured. Very large pores, so a perfectly smooth surface will be somewhat more difficult to achieve than with many species.

Location: Central Africa, namely: Cameroon, Zaire, Tanzania, Congo, Gabon, Mozambique.

Common Aliases: Anong, Awoung, Bokonge, Bwengu, Dikela, Mboto, Mibotu, Monkonge, N’gondou, N’toka, N’toko, Nsou-so, Otogo, Palissandre du congo, Tshikalakala, Zai-wenge

Performance: Wenge blunts tools fairly regularly, and sanding can be a chore due to the great difference in density between the rings. Wenge splinters easily, and take care, as these are more than likely to cause a septic reaction. Large diffuse pores with random distribution throughout the lumber. Wenge is very durable, and measures up quite well with many other highly desired tropical hardwoods for outdoor application.

Affordability: $$$$ Wenge is right up there with some of the most expensive species on the market.

A nice shot of the Millettia laurentii, from which Wenge is derived, in flower.

Common Uses: Wenge is generally a specialty wood used in many different applications such as: Flooring, paneling, furniture, arts and crafts, carvings, turnings, organ pipes, pianos, plywood, veneer, and etc.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Wenge
Scientific Name: Millettia laurentii
Distribution: Africa (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zaire)
Tree Size: 60-90 ft (18-27 m) tall, 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 57 lbs/ft3 (910 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .74
Hardness: 2,240 lbf (9,940 N)
Rupture Strength: 22,020 lbf/in2 (151,900 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,379,000 lbf/in2 (16,400 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,910 lbf/in2 (82.1 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.1%, Tangential: 5.8%, Volumetric: 8.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Know your wood: Balau

Balau

A stately Shorea roxburghii, planted by King Bhumiphol of Thailand, now blatantly stolen from Wikipedia.

Trade Name: Balau.

Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Subfamily: Dipterocarpoideae
Genus: Shorea
Species: Many similar referenced here


Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1560

Description: Balau, broadly speaking, refers to any number of woods of the Shorea genus. The coloration can vary greatly from species to species, and a great number are marketed as Balau. It is versatile, hard (while relatively easy to work), and for any number of reasons is the most widely used wood in a densely populated corner of the earth. Coarsely textured with medium or large pores. Grain is variable. Coloring ranges from very pale to a deep red-brown.

Location: Malay peninsula, Indochina, Indonesia, the Philippines. Densely grows in the forests of Borneo, Sumatra, and Malaysia.

Common Aliases: Balau, Membatu, Red balau, Red selangan batu, Red batu, Balau merah, Guijo, Lauan, Meranti***(It needs to be noted here that Meranti is not a proper name for Balau, but that Balau is a subgrouping of the Meranti, or Lauan wood group. The five main Merantis are: Light Red Meranti, Dark Red Meranti, White Meranti, Yellow Meranti, and Balau.)

Performance: Does about anything you might need it to do, though its density might make it somewhat tough on tools and a little difficult to work. Balau is an interior wood only, as it is vulnerable to insect attack.

Affordability: $$ Balau is a very popular and widely used lumber, especially in southeast Asia, where it is the most largely used regional timber.

A nice photo of Shorea plagata, a nice looking Red balau.

Common Uses: Baskets, Building materials, cabinetry, furnishings, veneers, flooring, interior millwork, lauan, plywood.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Balau
Scientific Name: Shorea spp.
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Tree Size: 150-200 ft (45-60 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 53 lbs/ft3 (845 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .62
Hardness: 1,560 lbf (6,940 N)
Rupture Strength: 18,400 lbf/in2 (126,900 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,560,000 lbf/in2 (17,660 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 10,000 lbf/in2 (69.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 6.2%, Tangential: 11.4%, Volumetric: 17.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.8

Know your wood: Santos Mahogany

Santos Mahogany

Myroxylon balsamum from Koehler’s Medicinal Plants (1887)

Trade Name: Santos mahogany, Balsamo.

Genus: Myroxylon balsamum

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2200

Description: A highly invasive species. The coloration can be all over the place with Santos mahogany. It ranges from a light tan with pinkish hues to a deep almost purple brown. I’ve never seen a species so specific to a task—if you’re reading this, you’re very likely looking for interior flooring. Santos mahogany is richly textured, with a straight to highly irregular grain pattern. The oils in balsam are used as a fragrance in perfumes, and predictably, the wood exudes a spicy scent when working. Santos mahogany is not a true mahogany (Swentia), and it isn’t of the family Maliaceae (African mahogany and Spanish Cedar belong to this family.) Santos mahogany is generally harder and much more difficult to work than the counterparts listed above.

Location: Central and South America, namely: Mexico, Nicaragua, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Honduras, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil.

Common Aliases: Arbol de balsamo, Balsamito, Balsamo de San Salvador, Balsamo negro, Caboreiba vermelha, Cabreuva, Cabreuva vermelha, Cabriziva, Cedro chino, Chucte, Greybark pine, Incienso, Incienso Colorado, Pau de balsam, Pau vermelho, Quina, Quina morada, Sandalo, Tolu.

Performance: Quite hard, and moderately difficult to work. Will blunt tools noticeably when working. The composition of the wood (interlocking, wavy grain) makes working Santos mahogany a challenge. Maybe that’s why everyone uses it almost exclusively in flooring. Makes sense, I guess. Santos mahogany appears to be nearly exclusively used as an interior product, though the species rates well against moisture and insect.

Affordability: $$$ Generally affordable for higher-end flooring applications.

Common Uses: Flooring, countertops, furnishings, stair nosings, ship building, railroad ties, heavy construction.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Santos Mahogany
Scientific Name: Myroxylon balsamum
Distribution: Southern Mexico and Central and South America
Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 60 lbs/ft3 (960 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .77
Hardness: 2,200 lbf (9,790 N)
Rupture Strength: 22,770 lbf/in2 (157,000 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,430,000 lbf/in2 (16,760 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 12,250 lbf/in2 (84.5 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 6.2%, Volumetric: 10.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Know your wood: Afromosia

Afromosia

A moderately colored swatch of Afromosia, as displayed in The Wood Explorer.

Trade Name: Afromosia.

Genus: Pericopsis angolensis

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2524

Description: Afromosia is a medium sized tree with irregularly peeling bark. The writings here refer specifically to Pericopsis angolensis. Afrormosia is similarly named, but it is different species, found in a different part of Africa. Each is of the Genus Pericopsis, and is broadly marketed as African teak, though each of these species is of the family Leguminosae. This wood has appeal in European and the United Kingdom markets due to its relative ease of availability. Deeply colored and textured, with interlocked and distinct figuring.

Location: Central African Republic, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zaire, Zimbabwe.

Common Aliases: Afrormosia angolensis (see above), Ormosia angolensis, Chianga, East African afrormosia, Mbanga, Muwanga, Mwanga, Umbanga.

Performance: Cuts well, but does not plane quite so easily due to the wildly contrasting nature of the product. Afromosia has a distinct aroma to it. Afromosia has above average durability regarding moisture, and average repellence to insects. Afromosia cuts fairly well, but can be somewhat difficult to plane due to the interlocking nature of the grain. Afromosia is a very hard wood that will require pre-boring of fastening features. Afromosia is a stable, hard, high quality lumber.

Affordability: $$$$ Pretty expensive here in the US, though deals can be found in bulk.

Common Uses: Furnishings, flooring, boat building, joinery, plywood, railroad ties, tool handles, turnery, veneers, wheels, decks, carvings, crates, cabinetry.

From: The Wood Explorer:

Common Name(s): Afromosia
Scientific Name: Pericopsis angolensis
Distribution: Central Africa
Tree Size: 80-120 ft tall, 2-3.5 ft trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 43 lbs/ft3
Basic Specific Gravity: .705
Hardness: 2,524 lbf
Rupture Strength: 14879 lbf/in2
Elastic Strength: 1,923,000 lbf/in2
Crushing Strength: 10,755 lbf/in2
Shrinkage: Radial: 2%, Tangential: 4%, T/R Ratio: 2.0

Know Your Wood: Padauk

Padauk

Nice looking guitar, and many other items found here.

Trade Name: Padauk.

Genus: Pterocarpus soyauxii

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1970

Description: It’s an odd life when a person finds themselves twice within a year writing about a wood he’s never worked. A fascinating wood, this Padauk. For starters, it might show up an orange-red color, but it won’t stay that way. Padauk darkens considerably over time to a deeper red, and even purple hue. Padauk’s orange tone may be preserved, but special considerations must be taken into account. It is prized by guitarmakers for its deep and resonating tonal qualities.

Location: Central and West tropics of Africa, namely: Angola, Central African Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Zaire

Common Aliases: Africaans padoek, African padauk, Afrikansches padoik, Akume, Arapka, Barwood, Bois corail, Bois rouge, Gula, M’bio, Red santal, Yomo, Wele, Tizeze, Epein, Barwood, and many other regional variances.

Performance: Overall, very easy to work. Resistant to insect and decay.

Affordability: $$$ Considering the distance the wood has to travel just to arrive in American markets, Padauk is fairly reasonable on the return.

Common Uses: Musical instruments, furnishings, flooring, bridges, cabinets, decks, heavy construction, ground contact, oars, paddles, plywood, veneers, wheels, railroad ties.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Padauk, African Padauk
Scientific Name: Pterocarpus soyauxii
Distribution: Central and tropical west Africa
Tree Size:100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 46 lbs/ft3 (740 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .61
Hardness: 1,970 lbf (8,760 N)
Rupture Strength: 16,830 lbf/in2 (116,030 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,700,000 lbf/in2 (11,720 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 8,130 lbf/in2 (56.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.3%, Tangential: 5.2%, Volumetric: 7.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Know your wood: Peruvian Walnut

Peruvian Walnut

Hey, if you’re already putting the money into a 1938 Rolls-Royce, go right ahead and deck out the body in Nogal.




Trade Name: Nogal, Peruvian walnut, South American walnut, Andean walnut

Genus: Juglans neotropica

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1080

Description: Peruvian walnut, or Nogal, is darker than its North American cousin Black walnut, and its sapwood doesn’t have the light cream coloring. Peruvian Walnut is a deep brown, with a sometimes purple hue to it. It’s relatively soft, and is an evergreen species. The texture is course, the pores are average, and the grain is straight to irregular. Nogal is the Spanish translation for walnut. Peruvian walnut may be marketed as many species of the Genus Juglans, but the specifications listed here apply to the species neotropica.

Location: Central and South America

Common Aliases: South American nogal, Nogal, South American walnut.

Performance: Generally easier to work than North American walnut. The wood can be found with lighter streaks in some of the stock, and is sometimes dyed. Grain is fairly regular, texture is coarse, and the pores are medium. Peruvian walnut fares above average against insect attack. Still, if forced to choose, I choose indoor application for this species.

Or a snack. Look tasty? You can buy the fruits from Juglans neotropica here.

Common Uses: Food, Musical instruments, carvings, decorative objects, flooring, furnishings, cabinetry, pens, plywood, veneers, turnings.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Peruvian Walnut, Tropical Walnut, Nogal
Scientific Name: Juglans spp. (Juglans neotropica, J. olanchana, etc.)
Distribution: Southern Mexico, Central and South America
Tree Size: 30-60 ft (9-18 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 38 lbs/ft3 (610 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .50
Hardness: 1,080 lbf (4,800 N)
Rupture Strength: 10,020 lbf/in2 (69,080 kPa)*
*Estimated bending strength from data of 15% MC wood at: 9,100 lbf/in2 (62,760 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,055,000 lbf/in2 (7,280 MPa)*
*Estimated elasticity from data of 15% MC wood at: 1,020,000 lbf/in2 (7,030 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 5,920 lbf/in2 (40.8 MPa)*
*Estimated crushing strength from data of 15% MCwood at: 5,180 lbf/in2 (35.7 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 5.5%, Volumetric: 8.3%, T/R Ratio: 2.0

Know your wood: Zebrawood

Zebrawood

Now that’s a table! Zebrawood tends to be quite expensive, because quarter-sawn sections are required to achieve its distinctive look.

Trade Name: Zebrawood, Zebrano.

Genus: Microberlinia brazzavillensis

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2097

Description: Highly contrasting growth rings, resulting in the name from its quarter-sawn sections. Wildly chaotic sections may also be found from flat-sawn sections of Zebrano. The texture is fairly coarse, and its grain is usually wavy in nature.

Location: West Africa, namely: Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea. Zebrawood’s availability is further limited by the accessibility of the stock. Zebrano is found in remote locales, and is a slow growing species, with lots of cull from the milled to finished product.

Common Aliases: African zebrawood, Amouk, Enuk-enug, Zebrano, Izingana.

Performance: Cuts well, but does not plane quite so easily due to the wildly contrasting nature of the product. Stinks, but it only stinks like Zebrano. Zebrawood glues and finishes well, so presumably, once the product is well sealed, the odor encountered during the woodworking can be remedied. This isn’t a wood I would much want to put outside (personal preference…I wouldn’t want to smell rotting Zebrano), but it is a durable wood suitable for outdoor use. Insects don’t like the smell, or the taste of it.

If you’re already having trouble seeing, AND you read Japanese, AND you need something to rapidly accelerate your vision loss, these should turn the trick.

Common Uses: Eyeglasses, decorative objects, flooring, furnishings, cabinetry, pens, plywood, veneers, turnings, and anything else that as a piece of furnishing needs to scream just a little bit.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): Zebrawood, Zebrano
Scientific Name: Microberlinia brazzavillensis
Distribution: West Africa
Tree Size: 150 ft (46 m) tall, 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 54 lbs/ft3 (860 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .64
Hardness: 2,097 lbf (9.330 N)
Rupture Strength: 20,000 lbf/in2 (137,900 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,340,000 lbf/in2 (16,100 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 9,600 lbf/in2 (66.2 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 6.8%, Tangential: 11.5%, Volumetric: 16.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.7

Know your wood: European Beech

European Beech

European Beech, presented by The Wood Database.

Trade Name: Beech, European beech.

Genus: Fagus sylvatica

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1450

Donar Reiskoffer took this picture. Upon close inspection, two people in somewhat close proximity to Mr. Reiskoffer can be seen in the dense undergrowth.

Description: Very pale tan to warmer browns. The European beech is a large deciduous forest tree. Veneers are darker colored, as a result of the steaming process required for this cut. Flatsawn surfaces are quite bland, while the quarter-sawn millruns are generally speckled, or flecked. European beech is the most popular hardwood in the United Kingdom.

Location: Central Europe, specifically: Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania.

Common Aliases: Common beech, English beech, French beech, Varlig bok, Rod bok, Yugoslavian beech, European steamed beech.

Performance: Very hard, but can be dimensionally unstable. Beechwood is a utility wood, and has widespread application as a fuel wood. Finishing qualities are good. Beech is easy to work (with the exception of veneer sampling), planes and nails all right, and is suitable for joinery. Beech is an above average utility hardwood.

Common Uses: Lumber, flooring, furnishing, cabinetry, piano pinblocks, plywood, veneers, turnings.

From: The Wood Database:

Common Name(s): European Beech
Scientific Name: Fagus sylvatica
Distribution: Europe
Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 45 lbs/ft3 (720 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .53
Hardness: 1,450 lbf (6,460 N)
Rupture Strength: 15,970 lbf/in2 (110,140 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,075,000 lbf/in2 (14,310 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 8,270 lbf/in2 (57.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.7%, Tangential: 11.6%, Volumetric: 17.3%, T/R Ratio: 2.0