Beech-
American Beech is a species to eastern North America. The sapwood of American beech is white with a red tinge, while the heartwood is light to dark reddish brown. The wood wears well and holds a polish, and it bends readily when steamed. Care is needed in gluing, but the wood finishes well with paint or transparent finishes. American Beech scores 1300 on the Janka hardness scale.
Elm-
Elm contains about 45 species native to Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean, South and Central America and North America. All species look alike microscopically. The sapwood of elm is nearly white, while the heartwood is light brown to brown with a reddish tinge. The wood has no characteristic odor or taste. Elm is moderately heavy and stiff, with excellent bending and shock resistance. It is difficult to split because of its interlocked grain. American white Elm scores 830 on the Janka hardness scale.
Mahogany-
Swietenia macrophylla. Mahogany varies from yellowish, reddish, pinkish, or salmon colored when freshly cut, to a deep rich red, to reddish brown as the wood matures with age. Mahogany is fine to medium texture, with uniform to interlocking grain, ranging from straight to wavy or curly. Irregularities in the grain often produce highly attractive figures such as fiddle back or mottle. Mahogany polishes to a high luster, with excellent working and finishing characteristics. It responds well to hand and machine tools, has good nailing and screwing properties, and turns and carves superbly. Mahogany is regarded by many as the world's premier wood for fine cabinetry, high-class furniture, trimming fine boats, pianos and other musical instruments, interior trim, and carving. Mahogany is a softer wood and scores 800-830 on the Janka hardness scale.
Walnut-
Black Walnut contains 15 species which grow in South America, Eurasia, and North America. The sapwood of black walnut is nearly white, while the heartwood is light brown to dark, chocolate brown, often with a purplish cast and darker streaks. The wood is heavy, hard, and stiff and has high shock resistance. Black walnut is straight grained and easily worked with hand tools and by machine. It finishes beautifully and holds paint and stain exceptionally well. It also glues and polishes well. American Walnut scores 1110 on the Janka hardness scale.
Requesting Samples:
A "special instructions" box is provided at checkout to request samples. For example, if you type "Stain to be determined, please send medium stains on Oak", we will send 3 or 4 medium stains on Oak. You then make your selection and mail the samples back to us. Stain samples consist of 2 separate boards of contrasting grain which are glued, planed, sanded, stained, top coated and then cut to size. Needless to say, this is a time consuming and costly procedure. Because of this, a $25 re-stocking fee for each stain board will be assessed for boards and/or leather samples not returned to us. Please keep in mind that we can also custom stain pieces to match your existing furniture.
Exotics
