AFRICAN BUBINGA: C
A really attractive timber which is often used as a Rosewood substitute.
Production: S/E

Guibourtia demeusei
Family: Leguminosae

Commercial Names: African rosewood, kevasingo (rotary) (UK)

Distribution: Chiefly from the Cameroon and Gabon, also Zaire.

General Description: The wood is medium red-brown with lighter red to purple veining. The grain is straight or interlocked. In some logs the grain is very irregular and these are converted by peeling into rotary cut veneers called kevasingo. The texture is moderately coarse but even. The weight ranges from 800-960kg/ft3 (50-60lbs/ft3). Average 880kg/m3 (55lb/ft3): specific gravity .88.

Mechanical Properties: The timber has low steam bending qualities and exudation of gum pockets is troublesome.

Seasoning: Dries easily except for gum exudation, with little degrade and is stable in service.

Working Properties: The timber works easily with both hand and machine tools although gum pockets may cause difficulty. Interlocked and irregular grained material tends to tear or pick up and a reduced cutting angle of 15° is necessary for planing or moulding. There is a moderate to severe blunting effect on cutting edges which must be kept sharp. Nailing requires pre-boring, gluing may be difficult due to gum pockets but the wood stains easily and can be brought to an excellent finish.

Durability: It is moderatley durable but liable to common furniture beetle attack. The sapwood is permeable and the heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment.

Uses: Suitable for superior furniture making and high class joinery, cabinet making and flooring. It is an excellent turnery wood and used for knife handles, brush backs and fancy goods. The chief use is for sliced decorative veneers for cabinets and panelling particularly the rotary cut kevasingo with a wild swirling veined figure.

JBT Comments: This is a relatively inexpensive hardwood which is a very acceptable Rosewood substitute.

Grade: FAS

Specification: Square edge: 8ft and longer, 5ins and wider.

Stockholding: Limited kiln dried stocks available with larger quantities to order 3-4 weeks, in 1ins, 11/2ins, 2ins, 3ins and 4ins.