Maple lumber collection
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 fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Macacauba?
Macacauba is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Central and South America. It is useful when the project calls for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, musical instruments, turned objects, and small specialty wood items
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific namePlatymiscium spp.
DistributionCentral and South America
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 4.2%, Volumetric: 7.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
DurabilityHeartwood is rated as durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, with good resistance to insect attacks as well.
Macacauba colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood color can be highly variable, ranging from a bright red to a darker reddish or purplish brown, frequently with darker stripes. When the wood is referred to as “Hormigo,” various suffixes are used to describe the heartwood color: “Hormigo Negro” for darker pieces or “Hormigo Rojo” for orangish red pieces.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to fine texture. High natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, overall, good working characteristics for both hand and machine tools, though areas of interlocked grain should be approached with care to avoid tearout. Able to take a very high natural polish.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Macacauba.
Macacauba should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Macacauba
Best projects
Furniture, cabinetry, veneer, musical instruments, turned objects, and small specialty wood items
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?
Macacauba is best considered for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, musical instruments, turned objects, and small specialty wood items. 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?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.