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Massaranduba?

| Posted in Construction Techniques on October 7, 2003 04:34am

Hi, everybody in the US.

We are carpenters in Germany, located in Hamburg, a city of almost 2 million in the north.

We are about to build a series of decks in a new material called: massaranduba (manilkara bidentata), a wood species from brazil. It comes in the form of grooved planks (1″ thick, 5 3/4″ wide, staggered lenghts from 9 to 12 feet long).

We have worked with bangkirai wood so far, from Thailand. Massaranduba seems to be denser, harder and less splintery (from the samples).

Few people specify real Teak, so these are the alternatives.

My question: Has anyone used that wood in an outdoor application.

The wood is reddish brown, when you cut it it looks like a sirloin steak “rare”.

We use stainless steel screws, self-tapping with a TORX drive – predrilled and sunken flush.

Since this is a bigger job (a condominium development) I would be thankful for any info. (These big-

developers are shrewd ).

Btw – the wood is FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council), Bangkirai is not.

Thank you, Mathias

Reply

Replies

  1. junkhound | Oct 07, 2003 05:12pm | #1

    Have seen but not used what is called Balata (same as Massaranduba, different local terminology)

    Have used Apitong (same as Bangkirai) a bit and even have a deck at home of it.  Based on the below comparisons of Apitong and Balata, and personal experience with zero decay in over 20 years of uncovered exposure of apitong in Pacific NW rainforest, I'd estimate that Massaranduba would be as durable based on the US Forest service comparisons - reproduced below.

    http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/tropicalcommonA-B.html

     

     

    Apitong/Bangkirai: Dipterocarpus spp.

    Durability: Durability varies with species, generally classified as moderately

    durable, but heartwood is susceptible to termite attack. Though silica content may

    be high, resistance to marine borers is erratic.

    Working Properties: Generally saws and machines well, particularly when green.

    Blunting of cutters moderate to severe due to silica content. Sometimes difficult to

    glue. Resin adhering to machinery and tools may be troublesome. Resin may also

    interfere with finishes.

     

     

    Balata/Massaranduba, Manilkara bidentata

    Durability: Very resistant to attack by decay fungi; highly resistant to subterranean termites and moderately resistant to dry-wood termites.  Not resistant to marine borer attack.

    Working Properties: The wood is moderately easy to work despite its high density, rated good to excellent in all operations.  Gluing requires special care to acquire good bond.  Steam-bending properties are rated excellent.

     

    1. mathiasraulf | Oct 08, 2003 10:16am | #2

      Thank you for your shared experience. The data provided in the USDA website are very useful, thank you for that link.

      From what I can tell up to now, the massaranduba/balata works well with carbide tipped tools, dulling is the same as bangkirai/apitong. Less splintering and raising of the grain in moisture changes.

      Mathias

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