Color: Heartwood is yellow-brown when freshly cut, turning dark brown to almost black with alternate layers of light and dark. Sapwood is yellowish-white and clearly demarcated from heartwood.
Grain: Straight when quartersawn; coarse texture.
Species & Grade Variations: Moderate variations in color.
Hardness (Janka): 1630 (26% harder than Northern red oak).
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (5.8; 33% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have shown significant movement in use.
Sawing/Machining: Difficult due to rapid dulling of tools; carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Moderately difficult. Particular attention should be paid to removing the scratches from the previous sanding.
Suggested Sequence:
- First Cut: 50 at a 7-15 degree angle with the grain
- Second Cut: 60 straight with the grain
- Third Cut: 80 or 100
- Hard Plate: 100
- Screen: 100 or 120
Nailing: No known problems.
Finishing: Staining may be difficult.
Comments: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.
Central Texas for over 50 years."
Committed to excellence and
superior workmanship.