DESCRIPTION: Padauk (pronounced Pa-DUKE) is certainly a hard wood to overlook -- as well as a hardwood to not overlook! When freshly cut, the wood appears bright orange to reddish-brown, and often....
DESCRIPTION: Padauk (pronounced Pa-DUKE) is certainly a hard wood to overlook -- as well as a hardwood to not overlook! When freshly cut, the wood appears bright orange to reddish-brown, and often features thin, dark streaks. When turning Padauk (Pterocarpus soyaxii), it's easy to be taken aback by the strikingly bright orange shavings flying around. Padauk cuts cleanly and is fairly easy to turn or carve. The wood also possesses a wonderful tonal resonance and is often used to make musical instruments. Padauk has a very unique reddish orange coloration. Unfortunately, this dramatic color is frequently lost due to improper or inadequate finishing. If finished properly, the orange color can be preserved for many years with little to no signs of degradation. (See the article Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods for more information.) Padauk is moderately heavy, strong, and stiff, with exceptional stability. It’s a popular hardwood among hobbyist woodworkers because of its unique color. Some common uses for Padauk include: veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects.
BOTANICAL NAME: Padauk, African Padauk
OTHER NAMES:Pterocarpus soyauxii
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES: Heartwood 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. Padauk’s initial orange coloration can be preserved through various finishing procedures; see the article Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods for more information.
WORKING PROPERTIES: Padauk generates a lot of dust when sanded. The dust tends to cling to clothing and skin (giving one a John Boehner-like glow!), which can sometimes trigger allergic skin reactions. As with any potentially problematic dust, it is strongly recommended to shower immediately after stopping work. The longer the dust is in contact with the skin, the greater the chances for an allergic reaction.
DURABILITY: Has excellent decay resistance, and is rated as durable to very durable. Padauk is also reported to be resistant to termites and other insects.
SEASONING: Dries well, but slowly. Variations in drying rates can occur in individual pieces. Standing trees are girdled and left to dry for three years before felling. Small movement.
USES: Extensively used in ship and boat building for decking, rails, hatches, etc. Furniture and cabinetmaking, flooring, garden furniture, chemical vats, fume ducts, laboratory benches, plywood, and decorative veneers.
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