Bracrrt Internationd

features similar mechanical properties and even a similar nickname. "Brazil ironwood. " Its bright orange-red heartwood with marblelike figure matures upon exposure to a red-brown.

It is world renowned as a dyewood and reserved for the finest violin bows due to its resilience. Other uses include onamental turnery, gun stocks, exterior joinery, paneling, inlaywork, heavy duty parquet flooring and exterior structural work.

Dark purple-brown with black streaks, African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylor) is just that, a virtually black wood. The East African hardwood is exceptionally heavy, hard, dense and durable, but works with difficulty and cannot be used for steam bending.

Yet a natural oiliness, resistance to climactic change and ability to take a superb finish often make it preferred to ebony in woodwind instruments, ornamental turnery, chessmen, carved figures, walking sticks, brushbacks, knife handles, bearings and slides, pulley blocks and inlaywork.

Kingwood (Dalbergia cearensis) or violetwood grows in South America, primarily Brazil. The heartwood features streaks across a background of rich violet-brown. Although very strong and tough in all categories, it is used predominantly for decorative purposes due to the small sizes available. Sliced veneers go into inlaywork and marquetry, while solids make inlay banding, turnery and fancy goods.

On the other side of the spectrum is balsa (Ochroma pyramidale), the softest and lightest hardwood available commercially. The Central and South American tree's sapwood is white to oatmeal in color with a pinkyellow tinge; heartwood is pale brown.

The average balsa weighs l0 lb./ cu. ft., though some may weigh as little as 6 lb./cu. ft. (Rn average hardwood weighs about 35 lb./ cu. ft.) Though strong in relation to its weight, the low density wood can not be bent without buckling, requires skilled care in kilning and won't hold nails or screws. It is also perishable and liable to attack by beetles.

But it does what the heavier hardwoods can't. It provides excellent buoyancy, easy workability and efficent insulation against heat, sound and vibration. It is used extensively for rafts, lifebelts, floats, nets, buoys, water sports equipment, protective packaging, toys and model making.

Kiri (Paulownia tomentosa) grows in Japan and China. Its heartwood varies from silver-gray to a light or nut brown, sometimes with a reddish cast. It has a very fine grain and smooth texture.

Though weak in all strength properties, the wood does dry, work, glue, finish, stain and polish very well. It is highly prized in Japan for use in cabinet and drawer linings, musical instruments, clogs, floats for fishing nets, and for peeling into special greeting cards.

Finally, obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon) comes from tropical West Africa, creamy white to Pale Yellow in color, with.a moderately fine and even texture.

It is also commonly used where durability and strength are unimportant, such as for interior rails, drawer slides and linings, cabinet framing, interior joinery, sliderless soundboards for organs and model making. Veneers with scattered blue stain are valued for marquetry work.

The Top Twelve Lightweights

NOTE: The above weights are average densities of the species calculated at 120lo moisture conteht, or kiln dried. The more water the wood contains, the greater the weight.