Alder Hardwood Sample (1/2"x3"x6")
$5.00 ea.
| Thickness | 1/2" (≈ 1/2" approx) |
| Width | 3" |
| Length | 6" |
| Grade | Samples are milled on all sides, cut square and sanded; wood is a product of nature with inconsistencies from piece to piece. Use species samples as a guide, not a perfect representation. |
| Brand | Woodworkers Source |
| Size | 1/2" x 3" x 6" (official size of the International Wood Collectors Society) |
Wood Species Guide
About Alder
Alnus rubra Grows in North America
North America
USA, Canada
Compare Alder with
Color Range
Pale Yellow to Reddish Brown.
About the Tree
A relatively small tree, reaching about 50ft in height and producing a trunk in diameter up to 15".
Other Names
Alder, Oregon alder, Pacific coast alder, Red alder, Western alder
Common Uses
Rustic furniture, entry doors, moldings, turning, carving, toys, plywood, veneer, cabinets, musical instruments.
What Does The Janka Hardness Rating Mean?
The Janka hardness test is the international standard for measuring the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear.
It's expressed in psi, or pounds-per-square-inch. The test measures the pressure required to embed an 11.28mm (.444 in) diameter steel ball into wood to half the ball's diameter. The measurement was developed to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring; however, we include it here and compare it to the rating of red oak to help you make a buying choice.
There is a difference between hardness and being difficult to work with. Generally speaking, the harder the wood the easier it is to finish and polish. Harder woods create good, solid long-lasting joinery in furniture.
The hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain, and varies from piece to piece. So a Janka rating is an average of numerous tests performed on all directions and numerous pieces. Use the Janka hardness rating as guide, not a definitive answer.
Image by Nasa-verve, Wikimedia Commons
Sample of several species
As Expected
Good sample stock
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