Brazilian Cherry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample is ¾-by-1½ inchsquare-edge solid strip.

Top portion is finished with water base urethane; bottom with oil modifiedpolyurethane.

 

Appearance

 

COLOR: Sapwood is gray-white; heartwood is salmon red to orange-brown when fresh, and becomes russet or reddish brown when seasoned; often marked with dark streaks.

 

GRAIN: Mostly interlocked; texture is medium to rather coarse.

 

VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Moderate to high color variation.

 

Properties

 

HARDNESS (JANKA): 2350; 82% harder than Northern red oak.

 

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Average (change coefficient .00300; 19% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.

 

DURABILITY: Dense and very strong.

 

Workability

 

SAWING/MACHINING: Sawing is difficult due to high density; requires frequent resharpening of tools. Planing is difficult due to interlocked grain. Can be machined to a smooth surface. Carbide tooling recommended.

 

SANDING: Sands well.

 

NAILING: Good holding ability, but due to hardness may require adjustment of angle of penetration and/or height.

 

FINISHING: No known problems.

 

COMMENTS: Light-sensitive; darkens rapidly upon exposure to sunlight.

 

Cost

(relative to plainsawn select red oak)

MULTIPLIER: 1.30

 

Availability

Readily available