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Yellow
Balau/Bangkirai (Shorea laevifolia) |
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Origin |
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Indonesia
/ FSC Certified Malaysia
/ CITES Certified |
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Colour |
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Little
distinction between sapwood and heartwood which is pale golden brown |
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Durability |
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Characteristics |
Grain- |
Interlocked |
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Texture- |
Medium
to fine |
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Uses
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Marine constructions,
lock gates, piling, fenders, bridge components, decking, outdoor
furniture |
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Working
Properties
|
Even though hard and
heavy, timber works reasonably well but with severe blunting of
cutting edges. It is necessary to reduce cutting angles and
feed speeds |
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Red
Balau (Shorea spp.) |
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Origin |
Malaysia
/ Indonesia |
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Colour |
Sapwood- |
Pink
to red (not easily distinguished from heartwood) |
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Heartwood- |
Purplish
red to dark brown |
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Durability |
Moderately durable |
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Characteristics |
Grain- |
Interlocked |
|
|
Texture- |
Coarse
but even |
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Uses |
Heavy structural
work, bridge and marine construction, sleepers, flooring and boat
framing |
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Working
Properties |
The
material saws cleanly, but is rather difficult to plane due to
density, but dresses to a smooth finish with reduced cutting
angle. Requires pre-drilling for nailing and screwing. |
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Ramin
(Gonystylus macrophyllum) |
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Origin |
Malaysia
/ Indonesia |
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Colour |
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The
sapwood is not usually differentiated from heartwood which is
uniform pale straw colour |
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|
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Durability |
Non durable |
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Characteristics |
Grain- |
Straight |
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Texture- |
Moderately
fine and even |
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Uses |
Furniture,
handles (for non striking tools), interior joinery and shop fitting,
moulding and dowels |
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Working
Properties |
Works fairly well with
both machines and hand tools, it trims reasonably well and can be
glued, painted and stained satisfactorily. |
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Keruing
(Dipterocarpus spp.) |
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|
Origin |
Malaysia
/ Indonesia |
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Colour |
Sapwood- |
Greyish
brown and distinct |
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Heartwood- |
Varies
from light red to reddish brown to brown |
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Durability |
Moderately durable |
|
Characteristics |
Grain- |
Usually
straight, but occasionally interlocked |
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|
Texture- |
Moderately
coarse to coarse |
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Uses |
Heavy and
light construction, decking, bridges, flooring, cills, vehicle
floors and tie rail |
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Working
Properties |
Due to the range of
species, the properties can vary. Straight grained material is
capable of a clean finish, but some species having a heavy resin
content can be difficult. Takes nails and screws well, but
glueing properties can vary |
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Kapur
(Dryobanalops aromatica) |
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Origin |
Malaysia
/ Indonesia |
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Colour |
Sapwood- |
Whitish to yellowish brown |
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Heartwood- |
Rose red to reddish brown |
|
Durability |
Very
durable |
|
Characteristics |
Grain- |
Fairly
straight |
|
|
Texture- |
Moderately
coarse but even |
|
Uses |
Constructional
purposes, trailers flooring and accessories |
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Working
Properties |
Works moderately well
with both hand and machine tools. Cutters should be well
sharpened to avoid trouble with raised grain. Takes nails and
screws satisfactorily. |
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Rubberwood
(Hevea brasiliensis) |
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Origin |
Malaysia
/ Indonesia |
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Colour |
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Heartwood
is not distinct from sapwood, upon drying and exposure becomes light
brown with a pink cast |
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Durability |
Non durable |
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Characteristics |
Grain- |
Straight |
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Texture- |
Moderately
coarse and even |
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Uses |
Furniture
components, turning, laminated products, domestic items (cutting
boards and other kitchen utensils) |
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Working
Properties |
Saws
without difficulty, machine
operations are easy and planed surfaces tend to be clean and smooth,
nailing and screwing requires pre-drilling. Accepts stain and
polish well. |
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