Has anyone here worked in this wood? I have been considering making a
small chest with some inlays. I have been considering making the chest
out of either mahogany, red oak, walnut, or yellowheart. I am familiar
with the working properties of mahogany, red oak, walnut, but not
yellowheart. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dean

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:37:36 -0400, Dean wrote:

Has anyone here worked in this wood?

I have limited experience. I only use small amounts for marquetry, small
carvings or inlay accents. I consider it a softer hardwood. Easy to work
by hand. Glues and polishes well. Little to no warping in thin slices.
Use a UV blocker in your finish or it may/will darken. Has consistent
color for inlay patterns and marquetry. I can cut from two boards and
still get a good color match.

I prefer patterns in large surface areas, grain or inlay. Used alone, I
personally find Pau Amarillo plain for it's cost. The grain is usually
visible so I can't use it as a flat color is larger sections like holly
and other woods. I use it to extend my color palette for inlays and
marquetry without dyes or stains.


Stats from the web:
Yellowheart
Botanical Name: Euxylophora Paraens; Pau Amarello
Family: Rutaceae
Other Common Names: Amarello, Limao-rana, Pau setim, Pequia setim (Brazil)
Uses: Furniture, parquet flooring, and brush handles.
Working Properties: Reported not very difficult to work with.
Durability: Reported probably of low resistance to decay.

Distribution: Confined to noninundated lands of the lower Amazon region
in the state of para, Brazil.

General Characteristics: A large tree of the €œterra firma€� reaching a
height of 130 ft. Heartwood bright clear yellow deepening upon exposure;
not sharply defined from the yellowish-white sapwood. Texture is medium;
grain is straight to irregular; luster is high; without distinct odor or
taste.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.70; air-
dry density 54 pcf.


Mechanical Properties: (2-in. standard)

Bending Strength:
Green (40): 13,200 psi
12%: 16,200 psi

Modules of Elasticity:
Green (40): 2,040 @ 1,000 psi
12%: 2,180 @ 1,000 psi

Maximum Crushing Strength:
Green (40): 6,440 psi
12%: 9,050 psi

Janka side hardness 1,610 lb for green material and 1,820 lb at 12%
moisture content.

Drying and Shrinkage:
The wood is reported to be easy to season with little tendency to warp or
check. No data on dry kiln schedules available. Shrinkage from green to
ovendry: radial 6.0%; tangential 6.7%; volumetric 12.8%.