Comments on: World’s Strongest Woods

By: S Gopal

S Gopal — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:25:24 +0000

Great article and really made me think as I am looking to create my own weightlifting platform in India. Typically they need to be a really flat top layer with a great impact strength that can handle (an accidental) dropping of loads from overhead – as the plates would typically fall on the rubber tiles on the side. However some competition platforms are completely made of wood! Thinking of what types of hardwood would be best suited to this? People have typically used solid oak (hard to source in India?) or just MDF layer on top.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:06:59 +0000

In reply to Jeff D.

They’re linear. I describe the process of determining the scale above under the heading “So, let’s find the world’s strongest wood.”

It’s only meant to help compare one wood with another, more or less on a linear scale from 0 to 100, with the “100” based on the highest value (among all species) in that particular category.

By: Jeff D

Jeff D — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 07:43:11 +0000

Are the scales used exponential or direct? In other words, what is a 1 point difference in MOE or MOR? A 10 point difference? What do the numbers mean for everyday non-wood nerds lol.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 04:22:49 +0000

In reply to Tex.

I don’t have enough data available to include it on this list. But practically, it is probably very similar to Prosopis juliflora, listed above with a Strength Index of 45.6.
https://www.wood-database.com/honey-mesquite/

By: Tex

Tex — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 18:41:25 +0000

Could you add in data for Honey Mesquite? It’s quite common where I live and I’m curious how it stacks up.

By: Joe Costello

Joe Costello — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 21:21:10 +0000

I was really hoping to see where desert ironwood fell into the list but I don’t think I see it. Either way, that’s some amazing work. Thank you so much for doing it

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:15:31 +0000

In reply to Ben. Sorry, I've never been able to find data on MDF Janka.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 23:10:22 +0000

Eric, do you have any reliable data for the Janka hardness of MDF? Our application uses factory-produced hardwood veneered MDF sheet goods (e.g. 3/4″ hard maple veneered over MDF core). The veneers are so thin that I presume it is the underlying MDF that is relavent. Thank you for all you do.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:26:34 +0000

In reply to Troy u. Because the bow score is a ratio of the MOR to MOE, not a measure of absolute strength.

By: Troy u

Troy u — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:43:06 +0000

why does spotted gum have such a low bow score but high strength score?