Ambrosia Maple Lumber

[rnelson0]

Someone is selling some Ambrosia Maple Lumber on craigslist in my area - http://richmond.craigslist.org/mat/645725251.html

Is this a good wood to work with? It certainly looks pretty. I don't have a real *need* for something like this, but it seems like a fairly low price for such a spectacularly colored species. I can always find somewhere to use it down the line.

I also am afraid that I don't know what "clear and common #1 only" means, can someone help me out there?

Thanks.

[Russianwolf]

Ambrosia Maple is Soft Maple that has been attacked by the larvae of the Ambrosia Bettle. The larvae makes the wormholes you will see and allows a fungus to invade causing the streaks.

It is nice wood to work, I still have a bunch myself. $2/bf is about average for pricing in my area (around DC). It does have an odor (like old sweatsocks) when you cut it, but it's harmless unless you have some blocked highschool memories in that noggin of yours.

The pieces with lots of streaks are the "good" stuff as the character is great for door panels and other accent pieces.

[LCHIEN]

that ambrosia beetle fungus makes it have very sought after character... the dark lines that follow the grain.

I think the beetle is the carrier for the fungus, it burrows in the wood and the fungus gets in the wood and follows the grain, making the desireable spalting.

[Uncle Cracker]

I believe the introduction of the fungus is part and parcel with the livelihood of the beetle larvae, as they use it for food. Ambrosia maple, particularly the heavily patterned pieces, is a prized turning wood. It is always one of the first picks of my pen "customers". I like to cut my blanks on an angle, as it really displays the staining in a striking manner.

[Popeye]

Sure wish it wasn't so far from here. Two of my best pieces of furniture were made from this stuff. Works well and a clear finish makes it beautiful. Pat

[mschrank]

I also am afraid that I don't know what "clear and common #1 only" means, can someone help me out there?

Thanks.

"Clear" means no knots.

"Common #1" means the piece must be at least 3" wide by at least 4' long. There are some more specifics, such as a minimum size for a clear cut (#1 common could have knots, as long as you can get a 4" x 2' or 3" x 3' foot clear piece out of it.)

Google "Hardwood lumber grading" for specifics and descriptions of other grades.