Lacewood

PHOTO
DESCRIPTION	Color is pink to reddish brown, and is highly figured with a distinct small lacelike pattern. Grain is straight with a fine to medium texture. Weight is about 39lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	South America (Brazil)
BOTANICAL NAME	Roopola Brasillensis
OTHER NAMES	Louro Faia
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	Medium strength in most categories. Low stiffness makes it an excellent steam bending wood.
WORKING PROPERTIES	Works well with hand and machine tools, but there is moderate blunting effect on cutters and a tendency to bind in saws. Glues well, stains and polishes, with care, to an excellent finish.
DURABILITY	Perishable. The sapwood is liable to attack by common furniture beetle, but is permeable for preservative treatment.
SEASONING	Dries rapidly without much splitting but has a tendency to distort. There is small movement in service.
USES	Furniture, cabinetmaking, joinery, light construction, paneling, ornamental inlay, decorative uses. Excellent for turning fancy goods.
COMMENTS	European lacewood is known as "plane" and is related to the American sycamore (platanus occidentalis).