Favortie woods for DIY or purchased AV gear

[Mike_TX]

I was reading this site at AVS:
Link

...that mentioned Padauk wood.

I know very little about different woods for subs, speakers, etc. but recalled that many people here do.
It might be nice to consolidate some information about various woods -- as cabinets, veneers, etc. here along with pics.

Mike
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List...
(CHT links after)
Updated: 2-13-11

Bamboo
Birds-eye maple (BEM) - vedder323
Cumaru (Brazillian Teak) - skeeter99

Padauk - HAL
Purpleheart - HAL

Rosenut
Rosewood



...


Other Links
Janka Hardness Scale - Link

[HAL]

Here is a picture of two Dodd Audio tube buffers. The top one is Padauk and the bottom is Purpleheart.

[sbisheff]

I just made some speaker stands out of Cumaru (Brazillian Teak) that turned out really good. The wood is SUPER hard though so planing was an issue. All done, though, they looked great and were solid. 22lbs each :)

[Mike_TX]

Great posts!
Amazing job.

Mike

[Mike_TX]

Janka Hardness Scale

Janka Hardness Scale
Link

he Janka scale rates the relative hardness of wood.
We have listed some of the most popular choices in wood flooring and included some more exotic species for your reference and comparison.

The higher the number the harder the wood.
These ratings were determined using the Janka Hardness Test which measures the side hardness measure of the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter into the wood.
This is one of the best measures of the ability of wood species to withstand denting and wear.
It is also a good indicator of how hard a species is to saw or nail.

This should only be used as a general guide when comparing various species of wood flooring.
Depending on where the wood is harvested the results may vary.
Plank construction and finish are also important factors when determining the durability and ease of maintenance of any wood floor.

We got Brazillian Cherry floors in part for the hardness and durability with kids.

Mike

[sbisheff]

Great posts!
Amazing job.

Mike

Thanks Mike :)

Scott

[django1]

Janka Hardness Scale
Link




We got Brazillian Cherry floors in part for the hardness and durability with kids.

Mike

They must be lovely floors . On durability, at a certain point, probably around the hardness of hard maple, the finish on the wood is the weak point.

[Mike_TX]

They must be lovely floors . On durability, at a certain point, probably around the hardness of hard maple, the finish on the wood is the weak point.

They are great (and beautiful).
We were thinking about bamboo, but I think the treatment to make bamboo darker can soften it (???) and people around here didn't have much (any?) experience with bamboo. Brazilian cherry was similarly priced.

Mike

[sbisheff]

They are great (and beautiful).
We were thinking about bamboo, but I think the treatment to make bamboo darker can soften it (???) and people around here didn't have much (any?) experience with bamboo. Brazilian cherry was similarly priced.

Mike

We put in dark bamboo flooring. Its beautiful, but its VERY soft. On the Janka hardness scale its harder than oak, but its grain is so stranded that is dents and scratches incredibly easy. I would never put in bamboo flooring again. I wish I had done Cherry or something like that. Good choice Mike :applause:

You can see the flooring in this pic, looks great, just don't walk on it in anything but bare or socked feet :doh! 1:

Scott

[Mike_TX]

Looks very cool.

Mike

[HuskerOmaha]

Looks very cool.

Mike

The baby's hair or wood? :applause:

[sbisheff]

The baby's hair or wood? :applause:

His hair does that on its own, its freaking hilarious!

[django1]

Who installed it? I once did a very close joint like the one in the foreground and my boss at the time gave me no end of grief about it.

You don't find the bamboo durable? Is it the bamboo itself that gets dented or the stain that comes off?

[sbisheff]

Who installed it? I once did a very close joint like the one in the foreground and my boss at the time gave me no end of grief about it.

You don't find the bamboo durable? Is it the bamboo itself that gets dented or the stain that comes off?

It was a prefinished floor which is I think part of the problem. The gaps actually aren't gaps, every board is painted black around the edges to give it that look.

The finish isn't all that durable but neither is the bamboo itself. It dents incredibly easy and the finish scratches easily too. I'd never put it back in, especially a kitchen/dining room. Not a good combo.