Hardness of Timber

[woodbloke]

Am getting some ideas together for another plane and was looking at finding something hard for the sole. Came across this scale of hardness which I found quite interesting. A bit more Googling on the topic revealed other sites with lots of info on timber hardness. Lignum vitae is the hardest and balsa the softest, with everything else in between - Rob

 

[newt]

Rob, surprised that Sapele is harder than hard maple, I wonder where UK Beech would come.

 

[woodbloke]

Pete - on or two surprises in amongst that lot, I'm sure - Rob

 

[devonwoody]

I have been fortunate to receive some Rosewood ( bubinga ) from Australia and it feels harder than steel.
I was told that when the timber is used as fence posting it is safe from termite attack for up to 30 years. I wouldn't like to have to bang a nail in, the nail would definitely bend.

I intend using it on my latest box idea but I think I might have to send the box back to Oz. to have the surface sanded or planed up. :roll:

 

[mahking51]

Rob
The one missing here is the one I have lots of

GREENHEART

Bloody hard is all I can say and about the same density as Lignum Vitae,
It does not float. Perfect for planes I would say.

You can have as much as you want if you are passing this way! (in plane sized quantities I mean!)
Cheers
Martin

 

[woodbloke]

Martin - I've done a bit of Googling and on a different site Greenheart has a value of 2350 which puts it well within the top 25% of that table, so yes it's very hard and tough....PM sent - Rob

 

[devonwoody]

How do you work with that sort of stuff?
I assume trying to sand the stuff the abrasive wears out first before you have got to the finish you want.

 

[woodbloke]

DW wrote:

How do you work with that sort of stuff?

With a lot of care and very sharp tools which need to be sharpened frequently :wink: - Rob

 

[ByronBlack]

Rob, I have some quite thickish rosewood fretboard blanks which would make an ideal plane sole, I have a couple of pieces left if you want them. I can confirm they are indeed ruddy hard!

 

[Philly]

Also, hard timbers scrape very nicely!
Philly

 

[PowerTool]

But remember,greenheart splinters are toxic,so likely to go septic very quickly :shock:

Andrew