Black Limba
Black Limba, scientifically known as Terminalia superba, is a hardwood tree species primarily found in the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. It is highly regarded for its unique appearance and workability, making it a favored choice among woodworkers.
Appearance and Characteristics
Black Limba wood is celebrated for its striking appearance. It has a pale to golden yellow background color with irregular, dark brown to black streaks or stripes. This striking contrast gives Black Limba a highly distinctive and visually appealing look. The wood has a straight to interlocked grain pattern and a medium to fine texture.
Black Limba is moderately lightweight, typically weighing around 3.3 to 3.6 pounds per board foot (749 to 818 kilograms per cubic meter). This makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of woodworking projects.
Workability
Black Limba is renowned for its excellent workability. It is relatively easy to machine, cut, shape, and sand. The wood glues and finishes well, allowing for a smooth and polished surface. Woodworkers appreciate Black Limba's workability, as it makes crafting intricate details and achieving a fine finish more accessible.
Uses in Woodworking
Black Limba wood finds various applications in woodworking, including:
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Furniture: It is a popular choice for crafting high-end furniture, especially in making cabinets, tables, and veneered surfaces. The unique appearance of Black Limba adds a touch of elegance to furniture designs.
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Musical Instruments: Black Limba is used in the construction of musical instruments, particularly electric guitars and basses. Its tonal qualities, combined with its attractive appearance, make it a sought-after wood for instrument bodies.
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Cabinetry: The wood's fine grain and distinctive figure make it suitable for cabinetry, providing a luxurious and unique look to kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
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Veneer: Black Limba is often sliced into veneer, which is used to cover the surfaces of various wood products, adding a touch of sophistication to interiors.
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Decorative Woodworking: Woodworkers often choose Black Limba for decorative projects, such as inlays, turnings, and sculpted pieces, thanks to its ease of workability and visual appeal.
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Woodturning: Black Limba is an excellent choice for woodturning. Its ease of workability, combined with its striking appearance, allows woodturners to create intricately turned items such as bowls, platters, and spindles with great precision.
Durability
Black Limba wood exhibits moderate durability:
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Indoor Use: Black Limba is suitable for indoor applications, including furniture, cabinetry, and decorative woodworking. It is not naturally resistant to insects or decay but can provide good service when properly finished and maintained.
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Outdoor Use: Black Limba is not recommended for outdoor use, as it lacks the inherent resistance to weather and moisture that some other woods possess.
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Bug/Insect and Rot Resistance: While not highly resistant to insects and decay, appropriate finishes and care can enhance its performance in applications where these factors are a concern.
VARIATIONS AND OPTIONS
All lumber now ships surfaced on 2 sides, and ripped on 1 edge at a minimum. Surfacing is done to a 1/16th over nominal (+- .030). Also there is an option for an s4s product at a premium price. S4S widths will be within 1/16th of an inch of stated widths.
4/4 will be surfaced to 13/16ths. 5/4 will be surfaced to 1 and 1/16th. 6/4 will be surfaced to 1 and 5/16ths. 8/4 will be surfaced to 1 and 13/16ths. 10/4 will be surfaced to 2 and 5/16ths. 16/4 will be surfaced to 2 and 13/16ths.