Hard Maple

Sources

North America

Other Names

Sugar Maple & Rock Maple

Characteristics

A vary pale sapwood to a dark brown heard wood. The texture is very even and fine. Weight is medium to heavy. Density is hard.

Milling

Planes and cuts easily with minimal chipping.

Shaping

Keeps a great edge and can be routed into profiles without any problems.

Finishing

Finshes to a supurb lustre. Wax will not sink into the grain, so you're better off building up with a surface finish.

Key Uses

Furniture, cabinet making, interior trim, flooring, & butcher blocks.

Comments

One of the most commonly used New England hardwoods. Is always readily available in lengths, widths, & thicknesses. The figured woods are in high demand and are usually more costly.

Reference 1: Gibbs, N. (2005). The Real Wood Bible.
Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books.

Reference 2: Flynn, J.H. & Holder, C.D. (2001).
A Guide to Useful Woods of the World.
Madison, WI: Forest Products Society.