Name American Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as Honduras mahogany, true mahogany, genuine mahogany, bigleaf mahogany, cao, caoba, cobano, acajou, and aguano.
Sources Grows from southern Mexico to Brazil.
Appearance Generally straight grained, but sometimes roey, wavy, or curly, with a fine to coarse, uniform texture. Pale pink to dark reddish brown heartwood and yellowish white sapwood.
Physical Props Variable, but generally moderate weight, hardness, and strength. Low stiffness and shock resistance. Very good stability and decay resistance. Moderate steam bending rating.
Working Props Excellent working properties, including cutting, turning, shaping, sanding, and gluing. Finishes easily with a variety of finishes, although filling may be required for ultimate smoothness.
Uses Renowned for high-class cabinetry and furniture. Also used for paneling, turnery, carving, patterns, dies, model making, veneers, flooring, boat building, and musical instruments.

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Name Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as broadleaf maple, Oregon maple, Pacific coast maple, western maple, white maple, or maple.
Sources Western North America.
Appearance Generally straight, but sometimes curly grained with a relatively coarse texture. Pale pinkish-brown to almost white sapwood and heartwood, often with a grayish cast.
Physical Props Moderately heavy, hard, strong, and stiff with low bending strength, shock resistance and decay resistance. Medium movement in use. Resists denting fairly well.
Working Props Generally machines satisfactorily although curly grain can present difficulties when planing. Bores and turns quite well. Glues easily and bonds well. Good nail and screw holding qualities with high resistance to splitting. Accepts stains evenly. Sands and polishes quite well with minimal "fuzzing". Fair steam-bending properties.
Uses Often used for fine wood furniture and cabinets due to its uniform color. Also popular for innerplies in softwood plywood panels, pallets and paper products. Other uses include veneer, framing, lamps, drawer sides, interior construction, utility furniture, desks, chests, bent parts, and turnery.

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Name Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as soft maple, scarlet maple, swamp maple, and water maple.
Sources Grows throughout eastern North America.
Appearance Straight, close grain with a fine, even texture. Wide, creamy white sapwood and beige or tan-colored heartwood.
Physical Props Moderately heavy, hard, strong, and stiff with low shock resistance and decay resistance, and medium movement in use.
Working Props Softer and weaker than hard maple but easier to work. Steam-bends satisfactorily. Turns, planes, cuts, and otherwise machines well. Gluing is variable. Finishes easily without the need for filling. Not suitable for exterior projects due to low decay resistance.
Uses Used for furniture, interior joinery, kitchen utensils, toys, novelties, turnery, musical instruments, sports goods, crates, pallets, flooring, furniture framing, and core stock. Commonly marketed as soft maple.

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