PADAUK:
Uses: Indoor furniture, cabinetry, flooring, turning, veneer
Source: West Africa
Characteristics: Coarse texture, straight interlocked grain
Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits
Finishing: Take stains and clear finishes well
Price: Moderate to expensive
ZEBRAWOOD:
Uses: Turning, inlay, decorative veneers, furniture and cabinetry
Som·ce: West Africa
Characteristics: Interlocked, light and dark variegated grain pattern
Workability: Somewhat difficult to machine . Use carbide blades and bits
Finishing: Can be difficult to stain evenly
Pri ce: Expensive
WENGE:
Uses: Inlay, turning, decorative veneers
Source: Equatorial Africa
Characteristics: Hard, dense straight grain with coarse texture. Heavy.
Workability: Dulls steel blades and bits quickly, so carbide cutters are recommended. Drill pilot holes for screws and nails.
Finishing: Pore should be filled before finish is applied
Price: Moderate
HONDURAS MAHOGANY:
Uses: Indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers and trim, boat-building
Sources: Central and South America
Characteristics: Straight, interlocked fine grain. Dimensionally stable.
Workability: Machines well with carbide blades and bits
Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well
Price: Moderate
PURPLEHEART:
Uses: Pool cues, decorative inlay, veneers, indoor and outdoor furniture.
Sources: Central and South America
Characteristics: Straight grain with coarse texture
Workability: Gum deposits in the wood make it difficult to machine; cutt ing edges dull quickly
Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well.
Price: Moderate
TEAK:
Uses: Boat-building, indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers, flooring
Sources: Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean
Characteristics: Straight grain with oily texture. Dense and hard.
Workability: High silica content will dull steel blades and bits quickly. Oily surface require cleaning with mineral spirits first or glue will not bond.
Finishing: Takes oil finishes well
Price: Expensive
ROSEWOOD:
Uses: Inlay, turning, veneers, cabinetry, furniture, musical instruments
Sources: Southern India
Characteristics: Interlocked grain with medium to coarse texture
Workability: Dense structure dulls cutting edges quickly
Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well
Price: Expensive
Exotic Hard Woods
George discusses the characteristics of some types of imported lumber.
Densest Wood in the WORLD vs the Lightest! Exotic wood Showdown MUST SEE
Watch the Densest wood and the Lightest wood in the WORLD both dropped into a tank of water. See the incredible difference in density between these two species as we weigh them on a balance! Plus, this video will give you a close up look at some of the most amazing species of wood around our planet.
All about Exotic Wood Species
I will be discussing the pros and cons of various exotic species. Including, cocobolo, lignum vitae, ebony, african blackwood, padauk, purple heart, and many many more. I will show samples live on air, both raw boards and finished pieces. I will also talk safety regarding exotics, what is toxic and hazardous along with what precautions should be taken.
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