WOOD SPECIES: Bubinga
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Guibourtia tessmannii
OTHER COMMON NAMES: Akume, African Rosewood, Binbinga, Bubinga, Essingang, Kevazingo, Ovang, Waka
TYPICAL USES: Bubinga lumber is typically used in boat building, flooring, furniture and cabinetry as well as in decorative applications such as veneer work and turnery.
SOURCES: Africa
AVG BENDING STRENGTH: 24,000 psi
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 0.78
AVG WEIGHT: 56 lbs/cu.ft.
SAPWOOD COLOR: The sapwood of Bubinga is clearly distinct from the heartwood, exhibiting a pale creamy color.
HEARTWOOD COLOR: Bubinga heartwood ranges from medium hued reds and browns to more vibrant red tones, streaked with lighter reds and purples.
GRAIN: Grain is typically straight or interlocked, although Bubinga is often seen with amazing figure -- waterfall, curly, flamed and so on.
TEXTURE: Fine textured with small pores.
LUSTER: Highly lustrous species.
MOVEMENT: Bubinga is generally considered to be dimensionally stable.
DURABILITY: In general, Bubinga timber is considered to be very durable, resisting both decay and insects infestation.
BLUNTING EFFECT: Bubinga can cause moderate to heavy blunting of cutting edges.
CUTTING RESISTANCE: Despite its weight and hardness, Bubinga saws well, especially at slower speeds.
PLANING: In order to prevent tearing of interlocked and irregular grain, a severely reduced cutting angle and sharp knives are highly recommended when working Bubinga on the planer.
TURNING: Turns well, despite its hardness.
BORING: Bubinga bores cleanly.
GLUING: Owing to the natural resins and gums in the wood, Bubinga displays rather poor gluing properties.
NAILING: Pre-drilling is recommended for best results.
SCREWING: Pre-drilling is recommended for best results.
POLISHING: Bubinga takes a high natural polish.
STAINING: Finishes quite nicely in most applications.
