Appearance
COLOR: Heartwood is brown when freshly cut, turning deep purple to
purplish brown over time. Sapwood is a lighter cream color.
GRAIN: Usually straight; medium to fine texture.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Moderate to high color variation.
Properties
HARDNESS (JANKA): 1860; 44% harder than
Northern red oak.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Excellent (change coefficient .00212; 43% more
stable than red oak).
DURABILITY: Very strong and dense. |
 |
Workability
SAWING/MACHINING: Moderately difficult due to hardness; frequent
sharpening of tools required; slow feed rate and carbide tooling recommended.
NAILING: Good holding ability.
SANDING: Sands satisfactorily.
FINISHING: Takes finishes well; some have found that water-based finishes
hold color better. Tendency to bleed with some finishes. COMMENTS: Heartwood is very
resistant to drywood termites. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven
coloration.
Cost
(relative to plainsawn select red oak)
MULTIPLIER: 2.30
Availability
Limited |
