Nanciton Wood (Hieronyma Alchorneoides)

[Dino Drosas]

I would really appreciate any information any of you can give me regarding the species Nanciton Wood, also sometimes called "Carribean Rosewood". I have an opportunity to get a quanity but don't really know if I want it. It is extremely dense and the color and grain is quite nice. How is the workability of it and what would it be best used for?

Thanks in advance for any info,
Dino Drosas, Myrtle Beach, SC

[Joe Blankshain]

Dino,
Go to this address for more information. Best of luck and let us know how the deal turns out.
http://www.wflooring.com/Technical_Info/Species_Tech_Info/Species_Pages/rosewood_caribbean.htm

Joe

[Jamie Buxton]

Joe's link says that this wood is also called Chenchen. One of my hardwood dealers sells something he calls chenchen, and it is nowhere near as pretty as that picture. At least on my monitor, the picture has a lot of red in it. The chenchen lumber at my dealer's is more a dull brown.

Maybe the names are confused. They often are in exotic lumber. Or maybe it is like that web site says: "Caribbean Rosewood provides an extreme range of color variability." At any rate, maybe it would be good to see some samples before you invest a bunch of money.

[Adam Howard]

I've turned a few bowls out of Nanciton, and it's very hard, and not as oily as rosewoods. The grain structure is a bit more open than rosewoods, about the consistency of Lyptus or maybe teak. The color seems to vary from a near rosewood clone like below, to very very dark brown.

It does polish up nice, and is quite beautiful. If the price is good, it would be worth getting some.

http://fineamericancraft.com/images/1420.jpg

[Jim W. White]

Chechen can be extremely good looking with lots of very dark (nearly black) streaks running through it, depending on the tree it was harvested from. It is extremely dense and it forms a VERY mobile poderry dust when machined. (please read: much klike milling MDF) NOTE that the other common name is Poison Wood. This dust can wreak havoc on the unaware. DAMHIKT !!! ...just make sure you have a good mask when your working it.

Very pretty though. I made some mantle clocks with it for Christmas a couple years back. Here's a link to one. Finished with General Finishes Seal-a-Cell Clear.

http://myweb.cableone.net/jimnbeck/mantel%20clock.htm

[Dino Drosas]

You sure are right about the dust Jim. I joinned a short piece and forgot to open the dust gate - throat closed up about as tight as the gate. Pretty but nasty to work with. Thanks again all, Dino