General Description: Cream-yellow, maturing to
yellow-brown to pale brown. The grain is straight and the texture fine and
uniform. Weighs about 540 kg/m3 (34 lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.54.
Mechanical Properties: The wood is suitable for steam bending of
moderate radius of curvature, having medium bending and crushing strength,
low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. Resistant to splitting.
Working Properties: Lime works easily and readily with hand and
machine tools but is inclined to be woolly and requires thin, sharp edged
tools for a smooth finish. A reduced cutting angle is ideal for moulding
due to the softness of the material and the slight blunting effect on
cuttings edges. Glues well and nails satisfactorily, can be brought to a
good finish by staining and all finishing processes.
Durability: The sapwood is liable to attack by the common furniture
beetle. The heartwood is perishable but permeable to preservative
treatment.
Uses: The most important use is for wood carving since it has the
ability to resist splitting in any cutting direction. Used for broom
handles, bee-hive frames, hat blocks, surrounding boards, piano keys, oil
cask bungs, toys, flat paint brushes, turnery, bobbins etc.
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