Anyone ever work with rubberwood?

[durango dude]

We have some furniture we purchased over a decade ago that has held up really well ---- it's made of rubberwood.

I'm thinking of making a few pieces of furniture --- but thought it might be fun to try something different material-wise.

Anyone ever work with rubberwood?

Anyone know where I can buy rubberwood?

[dbhost]

I used to have some Rubberwood, in the form of a rubber tree. I didn't think they got all that big because mine was just a potted plant sort of thing...

[cabinetman]

It's similar to machine and finish as Maple, except I didn't find it was subject to blotching. You'll likely have to go to a hardwoods distributor.

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[woodturner]

Anyone know where I can buy rubberwood?

It's commonly sold as "Malayesian Oak" - you should be able to find it at most hardwood dealers under that name. It is also sometimes sold as "white teak" or "parawood".

It's actually the wood of the tree that produces rubber, which is different than the "rubber plant" people have as houseplants and that the ants moved

[cabinetman]

I'm thinking of making a few pieces of furniture --- but thought it might be fun to try something different material-wise.

You will likely have a problem finding a hardwood dealer that would stock that species. One that deals with exotics might have it. As for working with it, Ash comes very close with similar grain, and it's easy to get a natural finish. Ash will cost appreciably less, and be abundant in various sizes.

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