{"id":1570,"date":"2010-04-20T14:50:15","date_gmt":"2010-04-20T18:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woodworkerssource.com\/blog\/?p=1570"},"modified":"2010-04-27T19:44:05","modified_gmt":"2010-04-27T23:44:05","slug":"why-bubinga-is-the-most-popular-exotic-wood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodworkerssource.com\/blog\/wood-conversations\/why-bubinga-is-the-most-popular-exotic-wood\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Reasons Why Bubinga Is Awesome"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Bubinga<\/a>

Bubinga tree in Cameroon<\/p><\/div>\n

Let’s just say you and I are walking in a forest in Cameroon, a smallish country in Central Africa that’s roughly the size of California.<\/p>\n

Walking in the forest of Cameroon is no ordinary experience. It’s home to several endangered primates, and a mind-blowing number of tropical birds. The air here is thick and humid because it rains some 400 inches per year.<\/p>\n

The trees here tower 100 feet or more into the air.<\/p>\n

One such tree is the bubinga.\u00a0 You and I are woodworkers, so naturally we’re looking at some of these trees and wondering what they look like on the inside; wondering what fantastic things the wood can make.<\/p>\n

The bubinga tree can be up to 8 feet in diameter.\u00a0 Can you imagine that?<\/strong> 8 feet roundish and 100 feet long.\u00a0 A tree that big weighs not one, not two, not 10, but over 56 tons<\/em>.<\/p>\n

You’re not just going to fell one with the 56 cc Stihl you have in your pickup truck back home.<\/p>\n

So that’s the tree.\u00a0 I could tell you all about the wood, but a browse through the lumberjocks.com<\/a> projects presents all the evidence needed to argue about the beauty and popularity of bubinga. Here are eight excellent examples<\/strong> that really stuck out to me (by the way, click any of these pictures<\/strong> to go to the discussion and commentary from the builder of each one):<\/p>\n

1. Bubinga and Lacewood Box:<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>Nice contrast, don’t you think?<\/p>\n

Bubinga makes a good accent wood because it can take shape and fine details without any fuss.<\/p>\n

Pair it up with a lighter colored wood, and you get a surprising result.<\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

2. Bubinga with Quilted Maple Hall Table:<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>In addition to small parts, bubinga is well suited for furniture pieces.\u00a0 It’s hard, stable, and extremely durable.<\/p>\n

Since the wood takes a finish so easily, furniture makers like it.\u00a0 As always, an elegant design and a contrasting wood makes a bubinga project a real head-turner.<\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

3. Bubinga Wet Bar:<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>Remember what I said about the size of the bubinga tree?\u00a0 Big trees often mean big boards.\u00a0 And because bubinga is a rock solidly stable wood, big boards mean big projects.<\/p>\n

A clear bartop finish is all this needs to look incredible.<\/p>\n

I’d sure like the opportunity to belly up to this bar at the end of the day.\u00a0
<\/p>\n

4. Bubinga (with Wenge) Music Stand:<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>I love hand made wood music stands.\u00a0 It’s art supporting art.<\/p>\n

Brian here says he used a tung oil and a hand applied polyurethane, which is a great combo.\u00a0 The oil sinks in and visually pushes the figure outward while the poly gives the entire piece protection.<\/p>\n

Notice how the dark inlay reflects a staff of music?
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<\/p>\n

5. Bubinga Bandsaw Box:<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>Once again, a figured maple and bubinga contrast.\u00a0 This time with birds eye maple.<\/p>\n

He too used an applied oil (this time boiled linseed oil) and a varnish topcoat for surface protection.<\/p>\n

Just spend a minute or two gazing at this project.
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<\/p>\n

6. Bubinga Business Card Holder:<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>Bubinga excels when it comes to making small parts with detail. And you can still make out the rosewood-esque grain pattern in the bench sides.
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<\/p>\n

7. Bubinga Cabinet (with cherry, bloodwood, and maple):<\/h3>\n

\"Click<\/a>You’re going to want to click over and see the details on this one.<\/p>\n

Just the curved drawer fronts are made of bubinga, and they’re joined to the maple sides with half-blind dovetails.
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<\/p>\n

8. But Wait!\u00a0 There’s More!<\/h3>\n

When the only wood you have to work with is bubinga, it’ll also make a fine project all by itself:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bubinga Lumber and Wood<\/h3>\n