Question
I got a load of silver leaf maple today and wanted to get a little feedback on working properties before I surface it down, because at that point it's non-returnable. It was a little cheaper than regular soft maple, and it had nice widths and good color. It seems lighter in weight and softer, more like poplar, and I was hoping it machines and sands well. I will be making face frames, raised panel doors, and all other necessary components for custom cabinets. What I'm really asking is if anyone has used it before and if you like it or hate it and why.
Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From Gene Wengert, technical advisor Sawing and Drying Forum:
Silverleaf maple is most commonly called silver maple. It is one of the two major species (silver and red) that combine to the group called soft maple. So, what you have is regular soft maple. Compared to red maple, silver maple is a bit lower in density and therefore machines a bit more easily with a slight increase in tendency to fuzz. Knives must be sharp. High speed steel is better than carbide. As this is the normal soft maple, you can process it like you normally do. It is rare to see anyone separating red and silver; they are sold together as soft maple.
