MAHOGANY, SANTOS

Myroxylon balsamum

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

APPEARANCE

COLOR: Dark reddish brown.
GRAIN: Striped figuring in quartersawn selections; texture is even and very fine.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Moderate color variation.

PROPERTIES

HARDNESS (JANKA): 2200 (71% harder than Northern red oak).

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Above average (6.2; 28% more stable than Northern red oak).

WORKABILITY

SAWING/MACHINING: Moderately difficult due to hardness; carbide tooling recommended.
NAILING: No known problems.
SANDING: Sands satisfactorily.

Suggested Sequence
First Cut: 40 or 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: Oil residue may be a problem. This can be eliminated by wiping with the appropriate 100 percent pure (not recycled) solvent before the sealer is applied. (See finishing comments on page 6.)

COMMENTS: Some respiratory/allergic reaction potential.

ORIGIN

South America.

AVAILABILITY

Readily available.