Explore the natural beauty and ease of working with Soft Maple Lumber, a hardwood known for its smooth texture, fine grain, and excellent workability. Soft Maple offers a more affordable alternative to its harder counterparts, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of woodworking projects, including furniture, cabinetry, millwork, and more. With its combination of durability, beauty, and practicality, Soft Maple is perfect for both functional and decorative applications.
Physical Properties of Soft Maple Lumber
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Density: 35-42 lbs/ft³ (560-670 kg/m³) – Soft Maple has a moderate density, offering a balance of strength and workability, making it a versatile choice for various projects.
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Janka Hardness: 700-900 lbf (3,100-4,000 N) – Soft Maple is softer than many hardwoods, making it easier to machine and work with while still providing reliable strength for everyday use.
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Modulus of Rupture: 9,000-12,000 psi (62-83 MPa) – Soft Maple provides adequate bending strength, making it suitable for furniture and cabinetry that need to withstand typical loads.
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Modulus of Elasticity: 1,200,000-1,500,000 psi (8.3-10.3 GPa) – Soft Maple is flexible enough to absorb pressure without compromising its structure, which is essential for a wide variety of woodworking applications.
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Shrinkage: Radial 4.0%, Tangential 7.0% – Soft Maple experiences moderate shrinkage during drying but remains stable once fully processed.
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Workability: Soft Maple is very easy to work with using both hand tools and machinery. It sands, machines, and finishes smoothly, and it takes stains and finishes evenly, making it a great choice for both beginners and seasoned woodworkers.
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Color: Soft Maple typically has a light cream to pale reddish-brown color with a fine, uniform texture. The wood often features subtle streaks or darker grain patterns that add character and depth to any project.
Why Choose Soft Maple?
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Affordable & Accessible: Soft Maple provides excellent value, offering the durability of hardwood at a more budget-friendly price, making it a great choice for both large and small projects.
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Ease of Workability: Known for its smooth texture and workability, Soft Maple is an easy wood to cut, shape, and finish, making it ideal for detailed work like furniture, cabinetry, and millwork.
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Elegant Appearance: Soft Maple’s uniform texture and subtle grain patterns create a clean, polished look, and its light color can be enhanced with stains or left natural for a more rustic or modern appeal.
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Versatile Applications: Whether you are building furniture, cabinetry, millwork, or decorative accents, Soft Maple is perfect for a wide range of woodworking needs. It’s also commonly used for musical instruments, such as drum shells and piano parts.
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Sustainable Choice: Soft Maple is harvested from responsibly managed forests in North America, making it an environmentally conscious choice for your woodworking projects.
Choose Soft Maple Lumber for your next project and enjoy its beauty, strength, and versatility. Perfect for furniture, cabinetry, and more, Soft Maple brings a reliable, easy-to-work-with hardwood to your woodworking endeavors. Browse our selection of Soft Maple lumber today and create timeless pieces with this exceptional wood.