Spotlight on Add ﬂ Avor to Your Next Project with This Rich and Rare Wood PADAUK by Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk

Woodsense Spotlight on Add ﬂ avor to your next project with this rich and rare wood PADAUK By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk

ronically, the chemical cocktail that Imakes African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii) distasteful to insects and fungi contributes to the color that makes it practically irresistible to woodwork- and jewelry boxes. Padauk’s ability to ers. One of the most strikingly color- hold ne detail also makes it well suited ful woods, padauk is widely esteemed for delicate turnings and carvings. for its bold red-and-orange heartwood. The availability of wide, straight- photo, top le on facing page. On freshly Although these vibrant hues eventually grained boards makes it ideal for furni- cut boards, the sapwood is white, but in mellow to a rich reddish brown, purple, ture and cabinetry, as well as paneling, time it will turn yellow or greyish brown. or even near-black, padauk’s enduring ooring, and other architectural wood- Fortunately, because sapwood is usually stability and workability remain intact, work. Additionally, many luthiers con- considered a defect, it’s normally cut away contributing to this a ordable wood’s sider African Padauk to be a suitable during commercial processing. popularity. and ecologically responsible substitute Although famous for the color hidden for endangered rosewood, although the Working padauk in the shop within the trunk, the tree was named former’s bold color makes it less popular. Although slightly harder than red oak, for its fruit. All trees in this genus On its home turf, this stable, rot resistant African Padauk is still a nice wood to bear round, inedible fruit banded by wood is sometimes used for boat frames. work with using hand and power tools, a at wing, giving it a ying saucer- although you can expect a slight blunting like appearance. (Pterocarpus means How to select the best stock e ect on cutting edges. When turning, “winged fruit.”) Wide, straight-grained boards sawn from large trees can be kiln-dried without di - Padauk Quick Take Where the wood comes from culty, so good padauk lumber is generally 3 Padauk trees thrive in tropical climates easy to nd at hardwood dealers. Once DENSITY 62 lbs./ft including India, Indochina, the South dry, the lumber is exceptionally stable. HARDNESS Hard Paci c, and even southern Florida. How- Board and turning blank prices STABILITY High ever, most commercially available stock vary depending on supplier and quan- ROT/INSECT comes from Africa. tity purchased, but 4/4 and 8/4 stock High RESISTANCE typically costs around $10 per board History in woodworking foot—roughly the same as walnut. TEXTURE Moderately coarse Centuries ago, padauk was reserved for Curly, quilted, and other gured stock TOXICITY Moderate royalty, but today hobby and commercial is sometimes available, but for a pre- Furniture, boxes, shops regularly employ it as an accent mium price. USES turnings, handles, wood in inlay or intarsia, or as a primary Padauk’s pale sapwood contrasts instruments, veneer, dye wood for small projects like knife scales sharply with its rich heartwood (see

62 Freshly planed

Heartwood Sapwood Aged

it’s possible to get a ne nish straight To prevent color contamination of oil-based varnishes, but don’t seem to o the tool, requiring very little sand- lighter-colored woods, vacuum away a ect water-based nishes. (Wiping the ing. Interlocking grain can cause some dust a er nish sanding or, better yet, wood with acetone can help by remov- tearout, but in those instances, you’ll out t your sander with a vacuum system. ing some of the surface oils, but test the nd that the wood scrapes well. Padauk If the dust stains an adjacent lighter wood before you commit to a particu- accepts glue without di culty, but it wood, you can undo the damage with lar nish.) Oil-based penetrating oils or tends to split when nailing or screwing, a few swipes from a well-tuned scraper. wiping varnishes are generally a good so pre-boring is advisable. choice, although they tend to darken the One problem working this wood is the Finishing wood more than water-based nishes. ne, peppery, oily dust that tends to stick Because padauk’s pigment is alcohol- Retaining padauk’s vibrant red color to everything it touches. In addition to soluble, brushing or wiping on shellac remains one of woodworking’s holy staining clothes and skin, the dust can can cause the color to bleed or smear grails. A surface finish with a UV cause health problems for some folks, onto adjacent lighter woods. To avoid inhibitor (some woodworkers have including swelling of the eyelids and problems, spray on a few light coats of even incorporated sunscreen) can slow itchy skin. Good dust collection can help shellac to seal the color before using a down color loss, but eventually prevent some of the mess and minimize brush or rag to apply subsequent shel- Mother Nature will win (see allergic distress, but to be safe, wear a lac coats. Alternatively, use lacquer or photos, top right). I NIOSH-approved dust mask, and toss varnish. your dusty clothes in the wash as soon e wood’s natural oils have been as possible. known to retard the drying times of

Padauk Music Box This Sweetheart Music Box ﬁ rst appeared in Issue #21 (Feb/Mar 2008). Originally a rich ruby red, over nine Valentine’s Days, the project has mellowed to a darker brown. If you’re interested in building this project for a special someone, the plans can be downloaded by going to woodcraftmagazine.com and 2008 2017 clicking on onlineEXTRAS.

Wood sample photos: Ralph Lee Anderson; Music box photo: Larry Hamel-Lambert Feb/Mar 2017 | woodcraftmagazine.com 63 SUBSCRIBE! 2 YEARS for $29.99!

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