TEAK, BRAZILIAN

Cumaru, Tonka, Southern Chestnut, Brazilian Chestnut
Dipteryx odorata

Shown with water-based finish (top), and oil-based finish (bottom)

APPEARANCE

COLOR: At first, red-brown or purple-brown with light yellow-brown or purple streaks; after exposure, uniform light brown or yellow-brown.
GRAIN: Fine texture, interlocked, waxy or oily feel.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Dramatic shading that mellows as the floor matures.

PROPERTIES

HARDNESS (JANKA): 3540 (174% harder than Northern red oak).
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Average (7.6; 12% more stable than red oak).

WORKABILITY

SAWING/MACHINING: Works well, but is very hard—use carbide blades and bits.
NAILING: Pre-drilling and hand-nailing are preferred.
SANDING: Difficult. Scratches are easily seen—each sanding must carefully remove the scratches from the previous cut, or sanding marks will be visible in the finish.

Suggested Sequence

First Cut: 50 at a 7-15 degree angle with the grain
Second Cut: 60 or 80 straight with the grain
Third Cut: 100
Hard Plate: 100
First Screen: 80
Second Screen: 100 or 120

FINISHING: Test all products before using them on the actual job site. Oil-modified finishes may not dry when applied over this wood if standard procedures are followed. Moisture-cure urethane, conversion varnish and waterborne finishes are generally more successful with this species. (See finish comments on page 6.)

COMMENTS: Has been known to cause contact dermatitis.

Origin

South America.

AVAILABILITY

Moderately available.