Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionTornillo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Tornillo 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 nameCedrelinga catenaeformis
Janka hardness950 lbf
Average dried weight35 lb/ft³
Best fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Tornillo?
Tornillo is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Tropical South America. It is useful when the project calls for furniture, turned objects, construction/utility wood, and paper (pulpwood)
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 nameCedrelinga catenaeformis
DistributionTropical South America
ShrinkageRadial: 3.8%, Tangential: 6.9%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityRated as moderately durable; poor insect resistance.
Tornillo colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is light to golden brown. Very large, open pores also give a pronounced veined look to facegrain surfaces.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to slightly interlocked. Coarse, uniform texture with moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, easy to work with hand or machine tools, yet due to it’s low density and interlocked grain, fuzzy surfaces may result from some machining operations. Extra sanding or very sharp tools may be necessary to obtain a smooth finish.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Tornillo.
Tornillo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Tornillo
Best projects
Furniture, turned objects, construction/utility wood, and paper (pulpwood)
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 Tornillo 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.
Tornillo FAQ
What is Tornillo best used for?
Tornillo is best considered for furniture, turned objects, construction/utility wood, and paper (pulpwood). Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Tornillo 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 Tornillo?
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.