TRITON LUMBER
DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED WOODS
Triton Lumber stocks a variety of domestic and imported hardwoods perfect for the woodworking hobbyist or professional furniture maker. Our list of hardwoods and their properties:
Ambrosia Maple: Ambrosia maple displays a patchwork pattern of stunning gray streaks infused with maple's usual clear white color and plain grain. It weighs 2.63 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 950. Common Ambrosia Maple Projects are Furniture, cabinets, an decorative projects
Aromatic Cedar: Aromatic Red Cedar boards tend to be knotty and narrow because this is a very slow-growing species, and most trees harvested tend to be fairly small in diameter. The wood is soft with a fine, even texture. Very knotty with distinctive cedar aroma. Soft, easy to work but knots may present some difficulties. Easy to finish. Aromatic Cedar weighs 2.75 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 900. Common Aromatic Cedar Projects are Linen and blanket chests, pencils, boxes.
Ash: Ash has an open grain with sweeping cathedral patterns and a nice consistent near-white color. It's strong and durable. It weighs 3.58 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1320. Common Ask projects are custom furniture, flooring, baseball bats, and musical instruments.
Birch: Birch is a straight-grained wood with fine even texture. It is heavy and very strong. Straight-grain lumber works well. however, swirly or irregular grain may be difficult to machine without tear out. It weighs 3.58 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1260. Common Birch Projects are Cabinets, furniture, joinery, flooring, turning, and high grade plywood.
Bubinga: Bubinga is easy to work overall, though it may prematurely dull cutting edges. Also, on pieces with figured or interlocking grain, tearout can occur during planing or other machining operations. Its high density and natural oils make it difficult to glue. Turns and finishes well. Janka Hardness Rating of 2690. Common Bubinga projects are a veneer for cabinetwork, furniture, and paneling. Also used for knife handles, and fancy goods.
Cherry: Cherry is one of the easiest woods to work; is fine textured, strong and regal in color. It's highly rated in all working properties including wood bending and turning. Cherry's color ages to a richer, rusty red brown with any clear finish. It weighs 3 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 660. Common Cherry projects are Furniture, cabinets, joinery, intarsia, veneer, interior millwork, small accessories.
Hard Maple: Hard Maple is a combo of nearly-white color with ultra-tight grain. The wood is well known for its durability and strength, which is why you'll find it used for flooring, butcher blocks, and large furniture. Expect a smooth texture and a natural luster but it’s somewhat difficult to work due its hardness. It weighs 3.67 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1450. Common Hard Maple Projects are Furniture, flooring, cutting boards, butcher blocks, heavy furniture, industrial parts, veneer, inlay, musical instruments, work benches.
Hickory: Hickory is extremely tough and resilient with color variety and open grain. Hickory can be difficult to manipulate by hand, but it looks wonderful when finished. It weighs 4.16 lbs per board foot and Has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1880. Common Hickory projects are Baseball bats, cabinetry, Drum sticks, Fishing rods, Flooring, Skis, Sporting Goods, Textile equipment, Tool handles, Vehicle parts.
Padauk: Padauk color can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown (some lighter pieces age to a grayish brown). Overall is easy to work. Padauk turns, glues, and finishes well. It has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1725. Common Padauk projects are veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects.
Poplar: Poplar is budget-friendly, soft but dense and delightfully easy to shape and machine. The tight grain makes the perfect choice for stain or paint, but poplar works fine with a clear finish, too. It weighs 2.5 lbs per board foot with a Janka Hardness Rating of 540. Common Poplar projects are Furniture, cabinets, jigs, drawer sides, painted furniture.
Red Oak: Red Oak has a classic distinctive grain pattern in a strong and durable wood. Red oak is a good choice for a beginner woodworker who needs a nice wood that's tough enough for furniture, yet not too heavy or hard to work with basic tools. It weighs 3.58 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1290. Common Red Oak Projects are Furniture, cabinets, floors, accessories, shop jigs, utility projects, interior millwork, molding, mantles, chairs and trim.
Soft Maple: Soft Maple Resembles Hard Maple being closed-grained but much softer. Easily worked. Turns and planes well. Does not require fillers to achieve a glass smooth finish. Accepts finish and paint well. It weighs 2.63 lbs per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 950. Common Soft Maple projects are Furniture, cabinets, a good general purpose hardwood.
Teak: Teak is a hard, medium-density wood that is strong and durable and almost always dark golden-yellow. It turns to a rich brown with darker, deep brown markings as it ages. The grain is straight but sometimes wavy, with a coarse, uneven texture. Teak has an oily, greasy feel to the touch. It is acid and fire-resistant and resists termites and fungi. It has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1070. Common Teak projects are ship and boatbuilding, decking and outdoor furniture. It is also used for veneer, furniture, exterior construction, carving and turnings.
Walnut: Walnut has a fine-yet-open grain, unique patterns, and bold dark color. Walnut is easy to cut, shape and sand, and the wood takes on an amazing look with a clear finish. It weighs 3.3 pounds per board foot and has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1010. Common Walnut projects are Gun stocks, musical instruments, fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring.
