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| Name |
Bubinga |
| Latin Name |
Guiburtia tessmanii |
| Trade Names: |
Bubinga, Kevazingo |
| Origin: |
Africa |
| Range: |
West Africa, from East Nigeria through Gabon to Zaire, drier regions in the lower tropical rain forests. Trees up to 45 m tall with conspicuously high roots. Differentiation is made between plain striped and pommele Bubinga wood, latter of which is considered the most valuable at present. |
| Uses: |
Higher quality architectural woodwork and mass-produced furniture, paneling and parquet flooring. Well-suited also for musical instruments. |
| Properties: |
Brown to violet-red heartwood with conspicuous growth zones. Resin pockets can occur; these degrade both the veneer and lumber. To achieve the required grain Bubinga is either true quarter cut (rather plain) or rotary cut eccentrically (colorful). |
| Machining: |
Despite its great hardness this wood is relatively easy to work. However, carbide-tipped tools should be used. |
| Seasoning: |
The wood should be carefully and slowly dried to avoid splitting. When moist, the wood gets a blue stain when coming into contact with metal. |
| Finishing: |
The wood is suitable for any type of varnish or polish treatment. |
| Jointing: |
No special considerations are necessary and glue joints can be easily produced. It is essential to pre-drill screw joints because of the hardness of this wood. |
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