Thread: Padauk

It works, glues and finishes quite nicely. I found some pieces prone to tear-out when machining, but usually in local spots of cranky grain... which is pretty much true of all woods.

I've also had a few pieces that tended to form dust when machining, rather than shavings. Luck of the draw, I guess.

As for complementing NG Rosewood, that's really a 'suck it and see' proposition. NG Rosewood itself can vary quite dramatically in colour from golden browns through pinks to bright reds, even in the one piece!

Padauk heartwood varies from a salmonish colour to a deep red-brown.

So some pieces would contrast nicely together, while others... not so much.

FWIW, I believe (but am not sure) that Padauk is considered a possible sensitiser to some people, inducing allergenic reactions. So take care!

I have use it to make a lot of tongue drums.
It take a Danish oil well and polishes to a glass finish.

It must be a very tight grain because it wants to kick back when sawing on the tablesaw and mitre saw.
Keep a firm hold and use featherboards and push sticks.

I think Padauk and NG Rosewood are similar colour. But one is hard and the other soft. A bit like putting NSW Rosewood and Red Cedar together.

My preference would be to put it with a timber with a different colout. Maybe a paler silky Oak or a dark Wenge.

I don't have any ill effect from the dust.

Paduak is another of those timbers (like purpleheart) that changes colour drastically due to UV exposure. It might start out pinkish or orange-red when fresh cut, but will inevitably change to a dark reddish brown over time.

Originally Posted by Scally

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I think Padauk and NG Rosewood are similar colour. But one is hard and the other soft. A bit like putting NSW Rosewood and Red Cedar together.

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Hi Riverbuilder

You do not say what your project is, but, as Scally says, the differences in hardness is quite significant.

New Guinea Rosewood, Pterocarpus indicus, is fairly soft with a janka of 5.6 kN - about the same as mountain ash, Eucalyptus regnans, the main component of Tas oak.

African padauk, Pterocarpus soyauxii, is quite hard with a janka of 8.8 kN, about the same as Sydney blue gum, Eucalyptus saligna.

Note that padauk and NG rosewood are from the same family of trees but with quite different properties. Outside PNG and Australia New Guinea Rosewood is more commonly known as amboyna.

Good sources of timber specifications are Keith Bootles book and (online) Wood Database.


Seasons Greetings

Graeme