2" Katalox Pre-Cut Squares
$22.00 ea.
mix/match strips and squares (48 U.S. Ground)
Description
Get ready to work with the finest wood squares you've ever seen, they're ready to be turned into whatever you can imagine, such as furniture parts, table legs, small accessories, handles, artwork and other fine woodworking projects.Specifications
Use & Care
Solid wood is a natural material that responds to changes in moisture, temperature, and humidity. A little preparation and proper storage will help you get better results from your lumber and wood components.
Let the Wood Acclimate
Allow the wood to adjust to your shop or project environment before final milling, assembly, or finishing. Changes in humidity can cause solid wood to expand or contract.
Store It Flat and Supported
Keep wood dry, protected from direct sunlight, and supported so it cannot sag or twist. Whenever possible, allow air to circulate around the material rather than trapping moisture against one face.
Mill in Stages
For projects that require precise dimensions, remove material gradually and give the wood time to settle between major milling steps. Leave a little extra thickness or width until you are ready for final sizing.
Expect Natural Variation
Color, grain, figure, and texture vary from board to board. Lay out your project parts before cutting so you can make the most of the natural character and arrange grain and color where they look best.
Use Sharp, Appropriate Tools
Sharp blades and cutters generally produce cleaner surfaces and reduce tearout, burning, and unnecessary stress on the wood. Adjust your cutting approach for the grain direction and density of the material.
Test Your Finish First
Sand consistently and test stains, dyes, oils, or other finishes on an offcut or inconspicuous area first. Finish can change the color and contrast of natural wood dramatically.
Wood Species Guide
About Katalox
Swartzia cubensis Grows in Latin America
Latin America
Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala
Compare Katalox with
Color Range
The heartwood is a dark purple brown that oxidizes to nearly black. The sapwood is a pale white to yellow color.
About the Tree
Usually a shorter tree that matures to 100 feet tall, twisted or crooked, and up to 36" in diameter
Other Names
Mexican ebony, Katalox, Royal Ebony
Common Uses
Musical instruments, drumsticks, inlay, accents, handles, turnings, boxes, furniture parts
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
Customer Reviews
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