How to Use Lignum Vitae Lumber
Lignum vitae is one of the heaviest and hardest woods available on the market and thus is good for a variety of construction, remodeling or flooring needs. You can buy it from many suppliers and in a variety of shades and finishes, though its nature requires some special handling before you can use it.
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Instructions
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Understand the properties of lignum vitae before you choose it for your project. Known as one of the heaviest and hardest woods available, it's ideal for flooring, mallets and other industrial supplies. It's also ideal for underwater applications because of its natural lubricant.
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Decide on the applications you're going to use the lignum vitae for. Once you know this, you can decide on a supplier to use and choose the particular lumber for the job. One supplier, Arroyo Hardwoods, located in Pasadena, carries a huge selection of hardwoods, including lignum vitae.
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Find a lignum vitae supplier in your area for the most economical lumber. Most any lumber mill or woodworking company can order lignum vitae, though it's considered an exotic wood and more expensive than domestic varieties.
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Have the lignum vitae lumber prepped for you. It's difficult to cut with ordinary saws and needs to be checked for forest beetles and sealed well before you can use it. These can likely be done at the mill you purchase the wood from.
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Tips & Warnings
Lignum vitae also goes by the name "ironwood."
Lignum vitae has medicinal properties, in addition to its use in projects. Its resin and tea made from the wood itself is a folk remedy for coughs, arthritis and other health problems.
