WOOD SPECIES:
Tamboti
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Spirostachys africana
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
African Cocobolo, African Sandalwood, Tambotie, Tambootie,Tambuti
TYPICAL USES:
Tamboti wood is most frequently used in carving and turning applications, as well as in the building of fine furniture.
SOURCES:
Southern Africa
AVG BENDING STRENGTH:
18,000 psi
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.90
AVG WEIGHT:
68 lbs/cu.ft.
COLOR:
This prized African hardwood has a rich, dark brown color with breathtaking figuring.
LUSTER:
Tamboti exhibits a very high luster.
MOVEMENT:
Very little dimensional movement has been reported.
DURABILITY:
Somewhat prone to heart rot, Tamboti is otherwise considered to be durable.
BLUNTING EFFECT:
The density of Tamboti wood can result in a significant blunting effect on cutting edges.
CUTTING RESISTANCE:
Somewhat resistant to cutting operations, Tamboti is best worked with very sharp tools.
TURNING:
Tamboti is a very desirable wood for use on the woodworking lathe, turning easily into a variety of small projects.
BORING:
Hardness and density creates some difficulties during boring operations.
GLUING:
Relatively high oil content can cause some problems when gluing.
POLISHING:
Polishes to a satiny luster.
STAINING:
Care should be taken when finishing, due to the high oil content in Tamboti wood.
