The Accurate Reloading Forums
African Padauk for stocks
11 January 2006, 15:18
WinkAfrican Padauk for stocks
Have any of you with riflestocking experience and knowledge of woods ever worked with African Padauk? The link below gives a brief description of the wooD. I have seen it several times in Central Africa and like the color but don't know if it is suitable for a stock.
http://www.exotichardwoods-africa.com/paduakafrican.htm
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AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
11 January 2006, 18:40
Bill SovernsIts heavier than Walnut and has less tensile strength. I wouldnt use it but thats not to say it could not be done.
11 January 2006, 18:47
El Deguelloquote:
Originally posted by Wink:
Have any of you with riflestocking experience and knowledge of woods ever worked with African Padauk? The link below gives a brief description of the wooD. I have seen it several times in Central Africa and like the color but don't know if it is suitable for a stock.
http://www.exotichardwoods-africa.com/paduakafrican.htm
It is better for grip caps and forend tips than for a complete stock. I use it for end plugs in things like powder horns, etc. It is very easy to carve and shape, takes a nice finish, and seems to be tough rather than brittle. Pretty wood!
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
11 January 2006, 18:54
ROSCOEMy PH had a custom stock on his rifle made out of this wood. It looked great but was very heavy.
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11 January 2006, 19:05
max(hm2)i made one years ago for a guy on a mauser in 243 if i remember right. it turned out nice but was rather tough to get the pores to fill. it was heavy though. it is one of the exotic woods that has caused me skin irratations.
11 January 2006, 19:49
IvanNot a rifle stock... but I built my kitchen cabinets out of it. Well the fronts anyway.
I will say this... It is one of the nicest woods to work with that I've ever used. But it's heavy, and will darken over time. Much easier to work with than say oak or walnut, but a little harder than maple, due to the inconsistency and reverse graining. I think it would make a very sutible stock though.
11 January 2006, 20:30
N. GarrettWink,
Since you get to travel extensively through Africa, you might want to also consider a piece of Bubinga for a stock.
It is heavier also, but would be great for a larger bore rifle.
Bubinga varies quite a bit in figure. I saw a piece in Florida that was full of marbling that looked terrific.
I have a stock made of Cocobolo that is similar in density (35 Whelen Improved) that has been terrific.
Garrett
11 January 2006, 20:52
WinkI understand bubinga isn't dimensionnally stable, constantly moving with changes in humidity. I have seen alot of it but I don't know if it's appropriate for a rifle stock. I'll check it out.
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AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
11 January 2006, 22:23
RiodotPadauk is a wood that is beautiful but if you use it, wear a dust mask when you cut and sand.
It has a fine sanding dust and powders even when cut. It causes skin irratation for some. Breathing in exotic wood dust can cause permanent breathing problems over time.
I planned to use it in a lamination with walnut and purple heart. I never thought about a stock in full padauk. I have never seen any pieces that were big enough or had anything but straght grain and no character(great color though)
Lance
Lance Larson Studio
lancelarsonstudio.com
11 January 2006, 23:15
N. GarrettWink,
I haven't yet worked with Bubinga, but I am told (by qualified woodworkers) that it becomes stable if properly dried.
It's a wood that I would consider for kiln drying after a year of air drying first.
Garrett
12 January 2006, 04:32
<9.3x62>I made some cutting boards out of it sometime ago. Very pretty, nice grain flow, very hard, and on the heavy side. About the redest saw dust you've ever seen - could have made a dye out of it I bet.
Perhaps "zebra wood" would be another interesting, albeit veyr different, choice...
12 January 2006, 06:34
RiodotZebra wood would look incredible but God is it pourous.
Filling the grain would be a bit of work.
Lance
Lance Larson Studio
lancelarsonstudio.com
12 January 2006, 06:37
djpaintlesI've done a couple non-gun products in Paduak. I like the way it works but the color changes signifigantly over time. I don't think it a suitable wood for gunstocks..................DJ
....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
12 January 2006, 17:53
max(hm2)riodot,
i made a stock out of zebra wood. you are correct it takes forever to get the pores filled. because of the pore size i don't believe it would checker all that well so i didn't even try it.
max