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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionMacacauba Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Macacauba is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific namePlatymiscium spp.
Janka hardness2,700 lbf
Average dried weight59 lb/ft³
Best fitSmall specialty pieces
Overview
Why choose Macacauba?
Macacauba is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Central and South America. Common uses include small specialty pieces, turned items, musical instruments, veneer, cabinetry and furniture.
Scientific namePlatymiscium spp.
DistributionCentral and South America
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 4.2%, Volumetric: 7.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
DurabilityThe heartwood is rated durable to very durable against decay, and it resists insects well too.
Macacauba colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood colour varies widely, from bright red through a deeper purplish or reddish brown, often with darker stripes. Sold under the name Hormigo, it gets a suffix describing the colour: Negro for the darker pieces and Rojo for the orangish red ones.
The grain runs straight to interlocked and the texture is medium to fine. The natural sheen is high.
Working notes
Works well with hand tools and machinery, but interlocked areas call for care to prevent tearout. It can take an extremely high natural polish.
Apart from the usual hazards of breathing any wood dust, Macacauba has no other reported health reactions.
Macacauba should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Macacauba
Best projects
Common uses include small specialty pieces, turned items, musical instruments, veneer, cabinetry and furniture.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Macacauba from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Macacauba FAQ
What is Macacauba best used for?
Common uses include small specialty pieces, turned items, musical instruments, veneer, cabinetry and furniture. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Macacauba beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Macacauba?
The buying section on this page links to any Macacauba Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.