WOOD SPECIES:
Wenge
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Millettia laurentii
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Awoung, Dikela, Mibotu, Bokonge, Tshikalakala, Nson-So, Palissandre Du Congo, Wenge
TYPICAL USES:
Often used as a substitute for Ebony, Wenge lends itself to a variety of uses and application, including furniture, flooring, paneling, and wood turning projects.
SOURCES:
Africa
AVG BENDING STRENGTH:
20,500 psi
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.88
AVG WEIGHT:
56 lbs/cu.ft.
SAPWOOD COLOR:
The pale yellow sapwood of Wenge is distinct from the darker heartwood.
HEARTWOOD COLOR:
Wenge’s heartwood is a dark brownish-black, with a number of lighter colored streaks throughout.
GRAIN:
Wenge generally has a straight grain.
TEXTURE:
Medium to coarse in texture, Wenge lumber possesses very large open pores.
LUSTER:
Relatively low luster.
MOVEMENT:
Wenge is typically considered to be stable.
DURABILITY:
Highly durable and resistant to both decay and insects.
BLUNTING EFFECT:
Wenge shows an average to above-average blunting effect on cutting tools.
CUTTING RESISTANCE:
Wenge lumber typically saws very slowly.
PLANING:
Planes and machines with relative ease. Always use sharp knives and appropriate angles and feed rates.
TURNING:
Wenge is a popular choice for lathe work.
GLUING:
High resin content makes Wenge tough to glue.
NAILING:
Holds nails well, but pre-drilling is necessary.
SCREWING:
Responds well to most screwing operations, but pre-drilling is necessary.
POLISHING:
Filling of the large pores is often necessary to achieve satisfactory polishing results.
STAINING:
Staining of Wenge is typically not recommended. Clear natural finishes work best.
