Peruvian Walnut
Peruvian Walnut, scientifically known as Juglans neotropica, is a hardwood species native to South America, particularly Peru. It is highly regarded for its rich dark brown to chocolate brown color, fine grain, and versatility in woodworking.
Appearance and Characteristics
Peruvian Walnut wood is celebrated for its deep dark brown to chocolate brown color, often with subtle grain patterns that enhance its visual appeal. The wood typically features a fine, straight grain pattern and a uniform texture. Peruvian Walnut is moderately lightweight, typically weighing around 3.3 to 3.5 pounds per board foot (748 to 794 kilograms per cubic meter).
Workability
Peruvian Walnut is known for its excellent workability. It is relatively easy to machine, cut, shape, and sand. The wood holds screws and nails well and glues effectively, allowing for a smooth and polished surface. Woodworkers appreciate Peruvian Walnut for its workability and the rich, dark appearance it lends to their projects.
Uses in Woodworking
Peruvian Walnut wood finds various applications in woodworking, including:
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Fine Furniture: Peruvian Walnut is a popular choice for crafting fine furniture, including tables, cabinets, and chairs. Its deep brown color adds a touch of elegance and warmth to furniture designs.
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Cabinetry: The wood's fine grain and rich, dark appearance make it suitable for cabinetry, particularly for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, where it provides a classic and inviting ambiance.
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Turning: Peruvian Walnut is favored for woodturning projects. Its workability and dark color make it an excellent choice for creating turned items such as bowls, platters, and spindles with precision.
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Decorative Woodworking: Woodworkers often choose Peruvian Walnut for decorative projects, such as inlays, marquetry, and carving, thanks to its ease of workability and striking appearance.
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Veneer: The wood is sometimes sliced into veneer and used in the production of high-quality veneered furniture, offering a touch of luxury to interior designs.
Durability
Peruvian Walnut wood offers good durability for indoor use:
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Indoor Use: Peruvian Walnut is suitable for indoor applications, particularly for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative woodworking projects. It can withstand normal wear and use when properly finished and maintained.
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Outdoor Use: Peruvian Walnut is not recommended for outdoor use due to its limited resistance to moisture and weather conditions. It is primarily chosen for indoor projects.
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Bug/Insect and Rot Resistance: Peruvian Walnut is not inherently resistant to insects and decay, but with proper finishes and care, its durability can be enhanced for various applications.
Peruvian Walnut's rich dark color, fine grain, and versatility in woodworking make it a favored choice for various projects, particularly when a classic and elegant appearance is desired.
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 the option for a rip to width is now available for a premium price. Ripping is done on an industrial straight line/gang rip machine. While the rip will be consistent end to end, the fence may not always end up in the same spot between orders. Rip widths will be within 1/8th 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 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.