Contrary to the name, most species of soft maple have a hardness and density close to black walnut or black cherry—two highly regarded cabinet woods in North America. Soft is a relative term, and is only used to differentiate it from hard maple. For many applications, soft maple’s hardness is sufficient enough, and is usually easier to work with and machine, due to its reduced density compared to hard maple.
Description
Soft Maple
Soft Maple
Janka Hardness:
700 to 950 lbf
Average Dried Weight:
30.2 to 38.0 lbs/ft3 (485 to 610 kg/m3)
Workability:
Maple has a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters such as in a router. Maple turns, glues, and finishes well, though blotches can occur when staining, and a pre-conditioner, gel stain, or toner may be necessary to get an even color.