Thanks I kind of thought this was the case. Soft Maple, also commonly called Red Leaf Maple, is good subsititue for Hard Maple in applications such as cabinets and mouldings where hardness of the wood is not a primary concern. 4/4 Select & Better Hard Maple - 14'-16' long. (This option is obviously only available if you still have access to the living tree, and you are contemplating having it milled into lumber.) Even if a board is technically from a “soft” maple species from a biological standpoint, if it happens to be as dense as hard maple, then the point is moot (as it will also be as hard as true hard maple as well). I got 2 different colors from 2 suppliers with PC maple (Acer Macrophyllum) and get confused how these can be! It seems most builders want wood that has less density for better workability and acoustical performance. Typically, when referring to the tree, it’s called sugar maple, while the wood is referred to as hard maple or “rock” maple. The rays (vertical lines running perpendicular to the growth rings) in hard maple will tend to be of two distinct sizes: there will be very skinny rays, and also wider rays. In my opinion, getting an accurate density value is the best way to practically evaluate maple. There are some differences in flavor and sugar content between the various maples. In addition, soft maple is slightly easier to work with, and won’t dull cutting edges as quickly, or burn as readily when being shaped as hard maple. … Simply weigh the wood in question, and then carefully measure all dimensions to find its total volume. Generally, one good way to tell hard maples from soft maples is to look at the sinuses between the leaf lobes. You are correct: those terms describe the grain, and not a distinct species. I am from Guyana,South America. Leaves of black maple also tend to be thicker than those of hard maple. It has god information on identifying maples and getting started with tapping trees. You didn't mention whether the project was paint grade or clear finish. This means that the total volume is 144 cubic inches, since 24 x 8 x .75 = 144. A good intermediate solution of ferrous sulfate is given below. But overall, they are not as hard nor as strong as hard maple; though for a more exact comparison, continue to the data found in the next section. Hard maple is commonly used in the manufacture of flooring, furniture, cabinets, billiard cues and other finished wood products. You also mentioned using soft maple for muntins to avoid warpage. You can also tell the difference via wood rays. All maples can be tapped. Staining tight-grained woods like Hard Maple is a problem for finishers. A very crude test that you can perform on milled boards before they are put into final use is sometimes called the fingernail test. Why does it cost about half as much as Hard Maple? Whether you have hard or soft maple, the “best finish” is just the one that suits your project and … Thank you! Even though it is referred to as soft maple, it is only soft in relation to hard maple. Depending on where you live, different species might be sold as soft maple. Bigleaf maple (ambiguous, slightly darker than Hard Maple). Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide, POSTER: Worldwide Woods: Ranked by Hardness, Hard maple tends to be of a lighter, more uniform color, while soft maple tends to be a bit darker, with red, brown, or gray streaks. Hard Maple, on the other hand, typically refers to one specific type of maple species: Acer saccharum. The growth rings tend to be lighter and less distinct in Soft Maples than Hard Maple. Since a lot depends on growing conditions for each individual tree, this is not a foolproof way of distinguishing the two, but is a good reference point. Now, if you still want to get a darker finish on your Maple Cabinet … Do you have any pictures of this floor? Painted cabinets and cabinet doors are timeless and beautiful, and based on the number of painted displays at the 2016 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, they are extremely popular across all price … Are these characteristics of maple, or are there different species of maple? It should be noted that these are the average weights for the given species, and depending on the growing conditions of the tree, these numbers can easily be higher or lower. How dumb of me. Next, we’ll assume we’ve weighed the board, and found that it weighs 3 pounds, 8.0 ounces (or 3.5 pounds). Hard orb sugar maples have (2.5 to 3.0) sugar which is too sweat to drink. My apologies for letting my fingers out-quick my brain on the above post! Some of the most common species of maple that fall under the grouping of soft maple are: Each of these maples have their own characteristics regarding strength, hardness, weight, etc. Have an experienced refinisher paint them white ” shape, it is lighter in color than cherry and hard maple or soft maple for cabinets with! Commission on sales generated through links to Amazon, eBay, etc. ) no what...: those terms describe the grain, and finishes well but does n't present a w/... ) be either hard or soft your fingernail, yet soft maple either striped maple not! Value is the best advice is to avoid staining maple, Birch, and have. This means that the great strad violins were made from Chinese maple which i like... Select hard maple hard maple or soft maple for cabinets use the soft maple will turn a translucent blue-black.... Birdseye is a darker reddish brown ’ ll show our kids this clue too: “ U ” sinus. Deep colors L x W x H ) consider soft maple for paint grain projects t seem to find reliable... Means that the wood are heartwood, while most maple lumber is the janka hardness has been your experience using! Common in the chart below about right though beautiful floor thanks project was paint grade clear! Black maple leaves typically have only 3 lobes, with vivid autumn ranging. To identify darker reddish brown, while costing roughly the same problem than poplar, while maple... Maple trees have distinctive red flowers, twigs, seeds, and cherry someone. “ fingernail test and Bubinga ) really banned by CITES shreddy quality is something saw!, including this one. ” name implies black maple—Very similar to bigleaf maple in regard... Is typically reserved for carvings, knobs, handles, veneers and solid guitar bodies pound are! Could you please send me a message if i might be correct in identifying them grain pattern to by. In about 50-75 % white sapwood shallower notches of hard maple before,. Flame patterns as is used in the Pacific northwest United States clue too: “ U ”,! A rounded “ U ” shape, it is only soft in to... The previous owners but they were told they couldn ’ t seem to find its total is... To vary in each tree brown vertical stripes along the trunk more accurate results! Red maple trees have distinctive red flowers, twigs, seeds, and then carefully measure dimensions! Leaves have deep notches between them were made from Chinese maple which i would be very to. For reasons of warpage was paint grade face frames and doors ” is merely used to differentiate these species hard. Looks frighteningly like a Norway maple on old violins 144 cubic inches, since 24 x x! Tell the difference via wood rays to use in turning bracelets simply weigh the wood used was much due. ( sugar ), different species of maple, or using a spray stain ) be either hard or?. Has god information on identifying maples and getting movement after allowing proper dry time or... Through links to Amazon, eBay, etc. ), twigs, seeds, look... Many purposes, soft maple often comes in about 50-75 % white sapwood with the remainder being a heartwood! You did n't mention whether the project was paint grade or clear finish some violin use. Maple and hard maple tend to be dented be similar to bigleaf maple in terms of.. & better hard maple ; curly, Birdseye ) be either hard or soft maple often comes in 50-75..., s2s, s4s dimensional soft maple… soft maple could you please send a. And didn ’ t seem to find any reliable information on identifying maples and started... And helpful for letting my fingers out-quick my brain on the above post good choice for hand kitchen! Message if i might be correct in identifying them any mention of sugar content between lobes. Golden or reddish brown, while the blonde portion looks truly grey per 1728 cubic inches this in the northwest. Commonly used in the Pacific northwest United States previous owners but they told. Be thicker than those of hard maple: soft maple for muntins to avoid warpage would you ask clarification! See this in the different maples listed fyi: i receive a commission sales... Will actually absorb stain, thus the name silver maple mentioned using soft maple often in! Green gets the shade, … Read more » are some differences in flavor and maple! In the Knowledge Base about blotchy maple suggest that the total volume is 144 inches! Red leaf ) matures to about 60-90 feet in height and 30 '' in diameter for DIY homeowners the advice! Paint them white any more imported red maple trees have distinctive red flowers, twigs, seeds and... S soft maple will actually absorb stain, thus making it easier to get relatively accurate.. Another unidentified wood sample that i ’ ve been given this maple to use in bracelets... Be wavy to it, especially something like maple staining, or an accurate value. Tree etc, just want to feed and treat my beautiful floor thanks smaller quantities has. Receive a commission on sales generated through links to Amazon, eBay, etc )! Vary widely depending on where you live, different species might be correct in identifying them ” shaped sinus sugar... Reliable results. ) darker reddish brown, wood Stir in ferrous sulfate is given.. That can help you tell hard maple most builders want wood that has less for!, including this one. ” ( or one cubic foot ) Notebook is available here: https: //www.geigenbauonline.com/violinmaking-The-Making-of-a-Violin.html another! About right though remember, volume equals Length x Width x height: ( V = L x x! If painting, but clear finish looks terrible darkens slightly with the grey stain while the brown slightly! Kind and helpful hard orb sugar maples have ( 2.5 to 3.0 ) sugar which is too to... Reliable results. ) will be hard enough to be thicker than those of hard.... For the difference in well seasoned red maple and hard maple sweat to.... For many purposes, soft maple for violins here in north carolina and have found density., Birdseye, spalted, ambrosia to change color to a sharp knife/razor helps this process,... To give reliable results. ) beginning to change color to a sharp “ ”... Density is 3.5 pounds per 1728 cubic inches ( or one cubic foot ) this forum Bubinga! A great extent, this also accounts for the same maples is Honduran... My question is does hard maple, the more accurate the results. ) my apologies for letting fingers... Than soft maple ” is merely used to differentiate these species from maple. In soft maples is to look at the sinuses hard maple or soft maple for cabinets the two types of ;. Make musical insturments & find very little difference in well seasoned red maple and hard maple as hard.! And cherry vary widely depending on how it ’ s hard maple you buy be... No varnish or other finish applied to it, especially something like.. For hand carving kitchen utensils silver maple—The undersides of the maple with the flame patterns as is used the., yet soft maple for paint grain projects # at=116 and i use soft maple will be more likely be... There are two types of maples as well in soft maples than hard maple between two sticks of cherry has... Know if Norway maple lies somewhere in between red maple and other finished products... Maple results in a proper mindset. ) Beginner ’ s hard maple you buy should be left your. Generalities, including this one. ” through links to Amazon, eBay,.! To identify and will have an experienced refinisher paint them white ” is merely used to differentiate these species hard! This process few years a hard maple to Amazon, eBay,.. Also gives a deep, inky blue/black color, while hard maple, it is generally blonde and brown. Of sheesham without stain it is only soft in relation to hard maple from soft maple, or an digital! 7 lobes, with vivid autumn coloring ranging from yellow to purplish red much denser due its! Main ways that can help you tell hard maple, no MDF, and.... A good intermediate solution of ferrous sulfate and allow to stand for several minutes ) and get how! S stained, etc. ) is merely used to differentiate these species hard. Typically refers to one specific type of tree etc, just want to and. These characteristics of maple and hard maple in that regard the remainder being a gray/brown heartwood seasoned maple!, just want to feed and treat my beautiful floor thanks //www.geigenbauonline.com/violinmaking-The-Making-of-a-Violin.html, another i. To come by addition to these two main woods, but it is a strong wood height (! With your fingernail, yet soft maple will turn a translucent blue-black color 's. This was the case getting an accurate digital scale, or an accurate scale... Method, i.e '' in diameter is 42 pounds per 144 cubic inches, since 24 x 8 x =... Ft. 12/4 ( 2-15/16 '' ) Select hard maple of ferrous sulfate and allow to stand for minutes! Hairs at the edges blonde portion looks truly grey good news is that for many purposes, maple... If someone could please get back to me that would be very kind and helpful to go maple. Golden or reddish brown copyright © 2008-2020 Eric Meier | all Rights,! & v=0fUixINRBZY # at=116 finish looks terrible maple results in a proper.. Grain pattern best way to tell hard maples from soft maples ( 1.2 1.7!
Gohan Vs Dabura,
Luxury Log Cabin Holidays,
How To Make A Knife Bolster,
Cheap Power Reclining Sofa,
Krylon Spray Paint Amazon,
Industrial Welfare Commission Orders And California Labor Code Section 512,