Draw Manga. Tom Carpenter

West Africa

      Characteristics: Coarse texture, straight interlocked grain

      Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits

      Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

      Price: Moderate to expensive

       B. ZEBRAWOOD

      Uses: Turning, inlay, decorative veneers, furniture and cabinetry

      Source: West Africa

      Characteristics: Interlocked, light and dark varigated grain pattern

      Workability: Somewhat difficult to machine. Use carbide blades and bits

      Finishing: Can be difficult to stain evenly

      Price: Expensive

       C. WENGE

      Uses: Inlay, turning, decorative veneers

      Source: Equatorial Africa

      Characteristics: Hard, dense straight grain with coarse texture. Heavy.

      Workability: Dulls steel blades and bits quickly, so carbide cutters are recommended. Drill pilot holes for screws and nails.

      Finishing: Pores should be filled before finish is applied

      Price: Moderate

       D. HONDURAS MAHOGANY

      Uses: Indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers and trim, boat-building

      Sources: Central and South America

      Characteristics: Straight, interlocked fine grain. Dimensionally stable.

      Workability: Machines well with carbide blades and bits

      Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

      Price: Moderate

       E. PURPLEHEART

      Uses: Pool cues, decorative inlay, veneers, indoor and outdoor furniture.

      Sources: Central and South America

      Characteristics: Straight grain with coarse texture

      Workability: Gum deposits in the wood make it difficult to machine; cutting edges dull quickly

      Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well.

      Price: Moderate

       F. TEAK

      Uses: Boat-building, indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers, flooring

      Sources: Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean

      Characteristics: Straight grain with oily texture. Dense and hard.

      Workability: High silica content will dull steel blades and bits quickly. Oily surfaces require cleaning with mineral spirits first or glue will not bond.

      Finishing: Takes oil finishes well

      Price: Expensive

       G. ROSEWOOD

      Uses: Inlays, turning, veneers, cabinetry, furniture, musical instruments

      Sources: Southern India

      Characteristics: Interlocked grain with medium to coarse texture

      Workability: Dense structure dulls cutting edges quickly

      Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

      Price: Expensive