In this episode I feature Koa and talk a bit about Honey Locust. I answer a question about Cherry veneer colors over time as compared to solid Cherry. And speaking of Cherry I talk about the historical price of Cherry vs Pine.
Lumber Industry News
Listener Questions
Featured Species: Koa
Acacia koa or Koa wood is endemic to the Hawaiian islands. It mean "warrior" in Hawaiian and is found on mountainous hillside and in fertile volcanic soil. It is a great cabinet wood but known mostly as a tone wood for guitars and Ukuleles.
I liken it to a cross between Walnut and Genuine Mahogany combining the grain and consistency with warm chocolate, caramel, and red hues.
Thanks to the stewardship of Taylor guitars, the future of the Koa species is in good hands
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I was in Kauaii, Hawaii last week i tried to buy a piece of Koa wood. I was quoted a 5 bf pices was $85 per bf
Going back and listening to old episodes again (because they’re fun) and just noticed you said something like “that’s is probably fine for you and for other hobbyists, etc. but if you don’t have a fumigation certificate, you have to disclose that and you can’t use that lumber in any commercial development…” when referencing back-yard solar kilns not staying at temperature over time….
Does framing material and other construction lumber not need these fumigation certificates? Sorry if this is a dumb question…just caught me off guard when you said that because there’s no way the 2x4s and 2x6s at my local big-box store have been kiln dried, based on the water squirting out of them when they’re cut….
Yes construction lumber goes through all that certification. And yes they are kiln dried but the last step of any kiln drying is rehumidification where the natural case hardening is reversed. That last step is generally rushed and in some ways overdone injecting a lot of moisture back into the 2x4s, etc. The water you find in those boards is free water and one of the reasons it comes squirting out so readily.