WENGE

Panga-panga
Milettia spp.

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

APPEARANCE

Color: Heartwood is yellow-brown when freshly cut, turning dark brown to almost black with alternate layers of light and dark.  Sapwood is yellowish-white and clearly demarcated from heartwood.
Grain: Straight when quartersawn; coarse texture.
Species & Grade Variations: Moderate variations in color.

PROPERTIES

Hardness (Janka): 1630; 26% harder than Northern Red Oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00201; 46% more stable than Red Oak).  However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.
Durability: Average.

WORKABILITY

Sawing / Machining: Difficult due to rapid dulling of tools; carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Some solvent-based stains do not dry well.
Comments: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.

COST

(Relative to plainsawn select Red Oak)
Multiplier: 5.50

AVAILABILITY

Limited.