PADAUK

African
Pterocarpus soyauxii

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

APPEARANCE

Color: Heartwood is vivid reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening to reddish - or purple-brown or black over time.  Sapwood is cream-colored.  Very uniform in color.
Grain: Straight to interlocked; coarse texture.
Species & Grade Variations: Slight variation in color.

PROPERTIES

Hardness (Janka): 1725; 34% harder than Northern Red Oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00180; 51% more stable than Red Oak).
Durability: Average to high durability.

WORKABILITY

Sawing / Machining: Saws well, but requires a slow feed rate; carbide tooling recommended.  Machines easily, with some tearing of the interlocked grain.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Takes finishes well; some have found that water-based finishes hold color better.  Has a tendency to bleed.
Comments: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.

COST

(Relative to plainsawn select Red Oak)
Multiplier: 4.50

AVAILABILITY

Moderately available.