Exotic hardwood alternative at a fraction of the cost
By Bob Duncan
This article was first published in issue 31 of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts.
Alowood, a new wood manufactured in Ferndale, WA, offers the density, color, and machinability of exotic hardwoods at a fraction of the price.
According to Evertech, the company that manufactures Alowood, the product starts out as ordinary, plantation-grown wood. I can already imagine veteran woodworkers discounting the wood on that basis; plantation-grown wood usually ends up in the 2×4 stud bin at large home improvement stores. But it’s what they do to the wood that is important.
Evertech uses a combination of vacuum and injection techniques to force an unnamed, farm-grown compound into the wood, replacing the air and moisture in the wood. Then the treated wood is heated to bond the compound permanently to the wood. This results in a solid color the whole way through and an increase in the density of the wood.
Alowood is sold as a “green” alternative to expensive hardwoods. It offers a fast-growing substitute for slow-growing exotic hardwoods and is also much more affordable.
Alowood comes in eight colors that simulate the colors of hardwoods: Natural (ash), California (oak), Appalachian (walnut), Virginia (silver walnut), American (cherry), Pacific (teak), Brazilian (rosewood), and Black (ebony). I had the opportunity to test Virginia, Brazilian, and Black.
Working with Alowood
I agreed to give the processed wood a try, but went into the review expecting the worst. I have scrolled plantation-grown lumber before; it’s an exercise in frustration. The wide grain pattern, created by rapid growth (several inches in diameter each year), makes it hard to follow a line, and makes for very fragile wood. That was not the case with Alowood. My first cut through a piece of Black Alowood surprised me—it cut smoother than wenge. I haven’t had the opportunity to try a piece of real ebony, which can run $60 a board foot, but the Black Alowood is a dream to cut. Every cut was smooth and sharp.
The wood is much harder and denser than I expected, considering that it started out as plantation-grown lumber. It’s come a long way from its humble roots.
Testing the hardness of the wood on the Janka scale requires specialized equipment that I don’t have access to. But the company states the hardness of the different colors of wood is comparable to the exotic wood it is similar to. In practice, the Black Alowood is harder to cut than the Brazilian, and Virginia is the easiest of the three to cut.
The wood cuts and sands as well as any other hardwood; it doesn’t machine like the plantation-grown lumber it is created from. There are no soft patches where the grain changes and the wood is durable enough for me to cut delicate holiday ornaments.
I did encounter some problems with warping when I resawed the wood down to 1/4″-thick. I had planned to make holiday ornaments from the thin stock, but didn’t have a chance to cut all of the ornaments as soon as I wanted to. When I went back to cut those pieces, many of them had warped. Many factors could have contributed to the warping: the moisture in my basement shop being the major one.
Finishing Alowood
The compound that gives Alowood its color and density makes it nearly impossible to change the color of the wood. But since you are trying to replicate the look of more expensive hardwoods, this may be a moot point.
The manufactured color of the wood makes it very easy to finish. Pick the color you want from the eight choices, cut your project, and add a finish. The wood takes oil finishes well, but a few coats of spray lacquer are really all that’s needed.
Summary
While less exotic woods, such as cherry and walnut, only cost a bit more than Alowood, it’s a perfect substitute for expensive exotic woods such as rosewood and ebony. Availability is limited to a few specific retailers. To find a list, visit www.alowood.com. In the long run, Alowood will save you money, time spent finishing, and even the environment.
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