Domestic Hardwood - Walnut

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Walnut

Walnut

Availability

  • FAS: 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4, 12/4, 16/4
  • 9″ & Wider FAS: 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4
  • #1 Common: 4/4
  • #2 Common: 8/4

Janka Hardness

  • 1010 lbf (pounds force)

Specific Gravity

  • .51 (green), .55 (dry)

Location

  • Eastern United States.

Description

  • Heartwood is a rich dark brown to purplish-black, with the sapwood being nearly white in color. Walnut is straight grained, stiff, and has a good shock resistance. Walnut is commonly sold steamed, where the heartwood is blended with the sapwood , producing at times lighter and varying shades of brown on the boards.

How well does it work?

  • Works well with hand and machine tools. Walnut holds nails and screws well, and has a great finish. Walnut also paints, stains, glues, and polishes well.

Seasoning and Durability

  • The heartwood of walnut is very durable to decay, but the sapwood is liable to attack by the powder post beetle.

Notes on Grade

  • Butternut and Walnut are more lenient in grade than other North American hardwoods, thus there will be a higher waste factor when working with the lumber.

Toxicity

  • Walnut has been reported as a sensitizer, but severe reactions are quite uncommon. Common reactions are eye and skin irritation.

Common Uses

  • Cabinetry, furniture, gunstock, instruments, flooring, and plywood.
  • * Stock is currently available in limited quanities. This generally means we have less than 500 BF, or the stock is either all narrow or an odd length.

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