Origin
Northeastern North America, Upper Midwest
Janka Hardness
1,450 lbf
Average Weight
3.67 lbs/bf
Color
Named for its distinctive bird's eye figure — tiny knot-like swirls resembling bird eyes scattered throughout the grain; figure is caused by aborted bud growth resulting from unfavorable growing conditions.
Working Characteristics
- Fairly easy to work with hand and machine tools
- denser than soft maple — high-speed cutters (e.g., routers) may cause burning
- turns, glues, and finishes well
- staining may produce blotches — a pre-conditioner, gel stain, or toner recommended for even color. Birdseye Figure can tearout when planing and is best to use sharp cutters and sand to final dimension.
Species Specifications
| Botanical Name | Acer saccharum (generally) |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Birdseye Maple |
| Origin | Northeastern North America, Upper Midwest |
| Average Weight | 3.67 lbs/bf |
| Janka Hardness | 1,450 lbf |
| Pore Structure | diffuse porous |
| Grain / Texture | Generally straight grain, occasionally wavy; fine, even texture. |
| Rot Resistance | Rated non-durable to perishable; susceptible to insect attack. |
Hardness Compared to Other Woods
See where Birdseye Maple falls on the Janka hardness scale compared to other familiar hardwoods.
Softer
Harder
Basswood
410
Cherry
950
Walnut
1010
Red Oak
1290
Hard Maple
1450
Hickory
1820
Purpleheart
2520
The Janka hardness rating measures resistance to denting and wear. Higher numbers generally indicate a harder, denser wood.
Technical Properties
| Shrinkage | Radial: 4.8%, Tangential: 9.9%, Volumetric: 14.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.9 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture | 15,800 lbf/in2 |
| Elastic Modulus | 1,830,000 lbf/in2 |
| Crushing Strength | 7,830 lbf/in2 |
Why Woodworkers Choose Capital Hardwood
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