Hard Maple

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DESCRIPTION	Hard maple is creamy white with a reddish tinge and usually has a straight grain, sometimes curly or wavy. Fine brown growth rings give an attractive figure on plain sawn surfaces. Rays are longer than in Soft Maple. Texture is fine and even. Weight averages about 45lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	North America
BOTANICAL NAME	Acer Saccharum
OTHER NAMES	White Maple, Sugar Maple, Rock Maple
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	High bending and crushing strength. Medium stiffness. Very good for steam bending.
WORKING PROPERTIES	Difficult wood to work with moderate dulling effect on cutters. Wavy or curly grains require a reduced cutting angle. Pre-drilling required for nailing and screwing. Takes stain, glue and polish satisfactorily.
DURABILITY	Heartwood is non-durable and sapwood is susceptible to attack by furniture beetle. Defects caused by insects (pith flecks) are sometimes found. Heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment, but sapwood is permeable.
SEASONING	Dries slowly with little degradation or problems. Medium movement.
USES	Suitable for furniture, joinery, heavy-duty flooring, dairy and laundry equipment, sporting goods, piano actions, paneling, plywood, veneering. Excellent for turning.
COMMENTS	Selected stock is rotary cut for Bird's Eye Maple veneer. Has a high resistance to abrasion and wear.