The
ESSENTIAL
The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber
Edited by
TIM SNYDER
The
ESSENTIAL
The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber
Text and Photographs © 2020 by Cedar Lane Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electric or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the Publisher. Previously published by Spring House Press as ISBN 978-1-940611-37-2. Publisher: Paul McGahren Editor: Tim Snyder Book Editor: Kerri Grzybicki Design: Lindsay Hess Layout: Michael Douglas Cedar Lane Press PO Box 5424 Lancaster, PA 17606-5424 ISBN: 978-1-950934-39-3 epub ISBN: 978-1-950934-32-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2020931838 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Note: The following list contains names used in The Essential Wood Book that may be registered with the United States Copyright Office: ANCHORSEAL Appalachian Woods Bora-Care Bug-Juice Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil Cook’s Saw Manufacturing FastCap MXV dust mask Freud Diablo Freud Glue Line Rip Granberg MSA half-face respirator PENTACRYL Portamate Stanley Titebond Extend Tim-bor Trend Airshield Pro WoodRiver Wood-Mizer The information in this book is given in good faith; however, no warranty is given, nor are results guaranteed. Woodworking is inherently dangerous. Your safety is your responsibility. Neither Cedar Lane Press nor the authors assume any responsibility for any injuries or accidents. To learn more about Cedar Lane Press books, or to find a retailer near you, email info@cedarlanepress.com or visit us at www.cedarlanepress.com.
The
ESSENTIAL
The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber
Edited by
TIM SNYDER
CONTENTS 1 Native American Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Red Oak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Beech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
White Oak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Birch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Osage-Orange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Boxelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
White Pine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cherry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Yellow Poplar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
American Chestnut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Red Alder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Cypress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Western Red Cedar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Elm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Redwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Hickory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Royal Paulownia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Holly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Sassafras. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Maple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Sycamore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Oak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Black Walnut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
2 Exotic Woods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 From Peru to You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Mahogany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Bamboo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Black Palm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
A Tale of Two Cedars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Purpleheart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Ebony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Teak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Ipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Wenge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Koa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Yellowheart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Lacewood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Zebrawood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
3 Beyond Basic Lumber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Get a Grip on Lumber Grades. . . . . . . 94
Choosing Sheet Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Hardwood Lumber: A Buyer’s Guide . 98
Making Good with Salvaged Wood . 115
Buy Sawmill Hardwood and $ave. . . 103
Harvesting Backyard Exotics . . . . . . . 122
Man-Made Woodworking Materials. 106
4 Wood Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Talking Figure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Their Two Scents’ Worth. . . . . . . . . . . 134
Is it Hardwood, Heartwood, or Just Hard Wood? . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Discolorations in Wood . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Spalted Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Toxic Woods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
5 Working with Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Acclimating Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Composing with Grain. . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Predicting Wood Movement . . . . . . . 157
Taming Wild Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Perfect Flat-Panel Glue-Ups . . . . . . . 161
Choosing Wood for Outdoor Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Squaring Up Rough Lumber. . . . . . . . 165 Mixing and Matching Woods. . . . . . . 170
6 Drying and Storing Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Stock Options: Air- or Kiln-Dried? . . 190 How to Air-Dry Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Shelving Hardware for Lumber Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Lumber & Sheet Goods Rack. . . . . . . 200
Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
1
ASH The often-overlooked blonde of American hardwoods BY PE TE S TEPHANO
ou may never have worked ash
Y
America alone supports
(all sold as white
in the shop, but you’re sure to
18 ash species, led in quantity
ash), range from
have had contact with the wood
and commercial value by white
New England and Nova
at some time—it’s the traditional
ash (Fraxinus americana).
Scotia, west to Minnesota, and
material for the handles of hoes,
south to Texas and Florida. Black
rakes, shovels, and most other
History in woodworking
ash (Fraxinus nigra), marketed as
non-striking tools. And even though
Native Americans pounded and
brown ash, likes the northern part
highly utilitarian, ash makes great-
peeled freshly-cut ash into weaving
of the range. Oregon ash (Fraxinus
looking cabinets and furniture. As
strips for their baskets. Because
latifolia) grows in the Pacific
a plus, the durable blonde wood
ash also absorbs shock and bends
Northwest. Note that at the time
readily steam-bends or can be
without breaking, it became the
of this writing, the ever-spreading
bent-laminated.
mainstay for canoe paddles and
emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation
Although it grows throughout
spear shafts. Perhaps it was these
is a growing concern, although it
the world’s Northern Hemisphere,
traits that led ash to the forefront
has not had a commercial effect on
as a sporting wood; it’s the
ash lumber (see the sidebar at right).
ash’s family ties are to the Mediterranean olive tree. North
Flatsawn black ash
preferred material for hockey sticks, polo mallets, traditional
Purchasing tips
snowshoes, and the bats used in
The best flatsawn white ash First
major league baseball.
and Seconds (FAS) in 4 ⁄4 thickness
Ash was and can still be found in the kitchen. Because it imparts no odor or taste, it became food
ASH QUICK TAKE
containers, turned bowls, and
Cost
Average
serving utensils.
Weight
Average (approximates red oak)
Hardness
High
Stability
High
Durability
High (indoors)
Strength
High (same as sugar maple)
Toxicity
None
Tool type
Sharp hand tools and power tools with carbide cutters
Common uses
Cabinets, chairs, flooring, food containers, tool handles, sporting implements
As furniture, especially chairs with bent parts, ash’s use has been unlimited. Although not rot-resistant like white oak, with a protective exterior finish, the Flatsawn white ash
wood can be used for outdoor furniture as well.
Where the wood comes from White ash and its relatives—green ash, blue ash, and pumpkin ash
8
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
¼" white ash plywood
Bird’s-eye white ash
burning. And always use a
Deciding on the right finish
Plywood and veneer are available,
backing board with end-grain
Unlike maple, ash won’t blotch when
as are banding and turning blanks
and cross-grain passes to avoid
stained, and the wood’s open pores
tear-out.
make it a good candidate for pickling.
Assembly. All adhesives work
All topcoat finishes work well on the
How to select the best stock
well with white ash. Don’t
wood, but keep in mind that under
Ash has straight, coarse, open-
skip sanding grits, or scratches
a clear finish, white ash yellows with
pored grain of even texture. It also
will result.
age much like sugar maple.
for bats. ■■
exhibits a pronounced difference between latewood and earlywood so matching boards requires care. Flatsawn stock may occasionally display bird’s-eye and curly figure. Some ash can have darker “bug tracks” that are not considered defects except in veneer logs. For most woodworking, the lightercolored sapwood takes preference. Brown ash is darker, and presents a challenge when mixing with white ash in a project.
Working ash in the shop White ash closely matches red oak in density and hardness. However, it burns more readily from dull cutting edges or a slow feed rate. These marks are hard to sand off. ■■
Jointing, ripping, routing. Feed ash to the jointer in the direction of the grain (“downhill”) or chipping results. Take shallow
BATTLING THE EMERALD ASH BORER Ever since the discovery in Michigan of the Asian emerald ash borer (EAB) in 2002, the invasive beetle has killed more than 40 million ash trees from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic states and southern Canada. At risk is not only the white ash commercially harvested in the U.S. but also all the varieties of ash trees growing along city streets, in parks, and on private property.
Native American Woods
costs more than brown ash.
At present, little can be done on a large scale except to locate infested areas, quarantine them, and destroy dying and dead trees. But you can help control the EAB’s spread by heeding the following guidelines: ■■ Get to know what an ash tree looks like
(shape, leaves, and bark).
■■ Detect EAB infestation by closely examining
an ash tree’s bark (log and firewood bark as well). Look for the D-shaped adult exit holes about 1/8" in diameter. Adults emerge from infested trees in mid-May and reach their peak by early July. Report your findings to authorities. If you own the suspect tree, call a tree service for possible insecticide treatment. (Trees with less than 40% canopy die-off can often be saved).
■■ Don’t transport firewood. Buy it locally. ■■ If you collect ash for turning or buy it from
a local woodlot, make sure it doesn’t retain any bark and the first inch of sapwood under the bark. It’s this part of an infested tree that harbors beetle eggs and larvae.
passes with a router to avoid
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
9
BEECH America’s most unappreciated hardwood? BY PETE STEPHANO
I
admire its durability, fine-textured
beech appeared as bowls, ladles,
Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and central
straight and attractive grain,
and spoons because it imparts
Michigan. But because the beech
pliability, strength, and finishing
no taste or odor. This trait led to
tree (Fagus grandifolia) favors
ease. In the U.S., beech remains a
its popularity for cooperage and
rich soil, it fell to the pioneer’s ax,
commercially underutilized wood
crates. Strong and shock resistant,
beginning the land’s transformation
because without a prolonged
beech also became tool handles
from forest to farm. The beech rates
drying process there’s considerable
and brush backs.
as unusual among North American
degrade due to its relatively high
tree species in that there’s only one,
shrinkage rate. As a result, most of
beech an attractive alternative for
unlike red oak with nearly a dozen
the annual cut goes to paper mills.
benchtops, butcher block, and
n early America, beech forests
Native American Woods
blanketed much of what is now
Woodworkers who know beech
kin. There are, however, nine more
as clogs. In Old-World kitchens
Today’s woodworker will find
cutting boards, as well as cabinets,
of the species around the world. For
History in woodworking
furniture (it easily steam-bends),
instance, European beech (Fagus
Although English bodgers
and turnings. Although not as
sylvatica) ranks among the favored
(chairmakers who use turned
hard as maple, it will withstand
woods in France, Germany, and
parts) took a liking to beech for
abuse when employed as flooring.
Great Britain. In China and Japan,
Windsor chair legs, the wood was
Because beech actually becomes
Fagus crenata sees extensive use.
more often found on peasant feet
more slippery from the burnishing
BEECH QUICK TAKE
10
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Cost
Moderate
Weight
Moderately heavy
Hardness
High
Stability
High (when kiln-dried)
Durability
High (indoors)
Strength
High
Toxicity
None
Tool type
Carbide-tipped power tools or finely honed hand tools
Common uses
Benchtops, tabletops, cabinets, chairs, cutting boards, flooring, treenware, turnings
BEECH FINISHING TIPS ■■ Due to its light color and tight grain, beech can be easily colored with an
aniline dye to resemble cherry, mahogany, or other fine-grained wood.
■■ Stained or unstained ray flecks or other figure in beech will really stand
out after several coats of penetrating oil.
by other wood rubbing against it,
How to select the best stock
it’s ideal for drawer sides.
Beech sapwood resembles hard
even that direction may be
■■
Jointing. Beech’s grain is so
maple, but a shade or two darker,
hard to define in order to feed
Where the wood comes from
while the heartwood can vary from
“downhill.” If you can’t determine
The vast beech forests are no
pink to reddish brown. Quartersawn
it, set the table for a very light
longer, yet the tree remains plentiful
boards display a great ray fleck.
cut, then gradually increase the
in its range, often growing in pure
You may also find some curly, lace,
depth as needed if there’s no
stands with specimens to 100'
or mottle figure, especially with
tear-out.
tall and diameters to 4'. You’ll
European beech. So, as with other
find beech in the eastern third of
hardwoods, try to select boards
the U.S. and adjacent Canadian
of similar appearance. And it’s
provinces, with the greatest
important that you purchase only
tight grain allows for easy
production from the central and
kiln-dried stock or you’ll battle warp
sanding, yet its hardness means
mid-Atlantic states. Germany is a
and twist.
not skipping grits or you’ll leave
as is China for the Asian variety.
Assembly. All adhesives work well with beech.
■■
Sanding. The wood’s straight,
tiny surface scratches.
Working beech in the shop Beech is a hard, heavy wood that’s
Purchasing tips
Deciding on the right finish
more forgiving than hard maple
Finishing beech is a woodworker’s
You’ll have to shop specialty wood
regarding chipping and tear-out.
dream because it takes all stain
suppliers for beech. You may find
However, it can burn if care isn’t
types equally well and won’t
boards up to 12" wide, longer than 8',
taken. Carbide cutting edges help
blotch like maple often does.
and in thicknesses up to 10 /4 (2 1/2").
with its hardness, but the wood is
The same holds true for finishes—
workable for the skilled with sharp
they all work.
Many of the same specialty wood suppliers that sell beech lumber also
hand tools due to its straight, tight
may offer flat cut and quartersawn
grain. The following tactics will
veneer. Beech ¾" plywood might
ensure success.
well be of European or Asian origin,
■■
Ripping and routing. The
but you’ll have difficulty seeing
wood’s density means ripping
any difference between these and
with a rip-profile or combo
domestic beech.
blade to reduce dust buildup
Note: Imported “steamed beech”
Native American Woods
world source for European beech,
■■
and burning. Don’t feed the
wood and veneer differ from
wood too fast and use a splitter
unsteamed beech only in color.
to prevent binding. When
Steaming changes it from blonde/
routing, take shallow passes
tan to an overall pinkish orange/tan.
to avoid burning.
IT’S A FACT ■■ Unlike most trees, beeches always
retain their smooth bark. It will not grow over carvings, such as initials, and they remain forever.
■■ You’ll find the largest beech tree
in the U.S. near Ann Arundel, Maryland. It’s only 112' tall, but has nearly an 8' diameter!
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
11
BIRCH North America’s do-it-all lumber BY PETE STEPHANO TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN
Native American Woods
T
he commercially important birch
History in woodworking
species found in North America
Native Americans looked to
common material for turned
are but a few of the 50 types of
the paper birch’s bark for the
products such as Shaker pegs,
birch found around the world–
sheathing of dwellings and canoes.
dowels, and buttons. It also shows
from Japan to Scandinavia to Russia.
From the tree’s sap came sweet
up in wooden toys, matchsticks,
The native birches most used by the
syrup. Its young twigs provided
toothpicks–even chopsticks!
U.S. and Canadian forest products
medicine (the salicylic acid in
industry are yellow birch (Betula
them was the precursor to aspirin).
Where the wood comes from
alleghaniensis), sweet birch (Betula
The bark of black birch proved to
The largest domestic source
lenta), and paper birch (Betula
be a tough, enduring material for
of birch lumber and veneer
papyrifera). Of lesser importance
woven baskets.
is the yellow and sweet birch
are river birch (Betula nigra),
that principally grows in the
gray birch (Betula populifolia),
yellow birch for cooperage,
Northeastern and Great Lakes
and western paper birch (Betula
wagon hubs, cabinets, chairs,
states. While you’ll find paper birch
papyrifera variety commutata).
and desks. In the 1950s, popular
in abundance in the same range,
blonde “Scandinavian” furniture
it’s not usually available as lumber.
was built from it.
Yellow and sweet birch (frequently
Although somewhat similar in appearance and grain texture, the wood of yellow and sweet birch
Today, most yellow birch
mixed and marketed together)
tends to be heavy, hard, and strong,
becomes boxes, cabinets,
are also found in the Appalachian
with good shock resistance while
cooperage, furniture, woodenware,
Mountains as far south as
that of paper birch weighs less,
interior trim, flooring, doors, and
northern Georgia.
and is softer and not as strong.
millwork. The wood is also joining ash and maple as stock for baseball
Purchasing tips
birch family of hardwoods has
bats. As plywood, yellow birch
Due to its availability as lumber and
made countless contributions
serves as flush doors, TV cabinets,
plywood, yellow birch and sweet
to Native Americans, European
and office furniture. Despite
birch will be the focus here. First and
explorers, early settlers, trappers,
changes in taste and fashion, birch
Seconds (FAS) boards can be found in
pioneers, and present-day
has been in demand for furniture
4 /4 thickness, with select and better
populations of the U.S. and Canada.
and cabinetry for almost a century.
(S&B) costing a little bit less per unit.
Throughout history, the domestic
12
Early woodworkers used
You’ll find paper birch the
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Plainsawn birch
Birch plywood
in approximately 1⁄4" increments.
for color uniformity, avoiding those
dollar amount per board foot.
Apple-ply is the American-made
with both heartwood and sapwood
version. It comes in 4 × 8' and
as these can cause problems
plywood is sold in 4 × 8' sheets
smaller panels and standard
when color-matching. Because
at home centers. The higher face
thicknesses (1⁄4–1 1⁄2").
commercial demand for light-
The utility A-2 grade, 3⁄4" birch
grade AA costs more; lesser faces,
colored wood is so strong, birch,
such as B and C, cost less. Most
How to select the best stock
like maple, is often graded and
lumber outlets carry thinner stock,
Only specialty wood suppliers or
sold by its color (“sap” or “white”),
too, for use as panels in frame-
lumber outlets offer yellow birch
meaning you’ll pay a premium for
and-panel cabinet doors. Baltic and
lumber. Birch hardwood plywood,
color-selected stock. Note, too, that
Finnish birch plywoods are made in
however, is more widely available,
yellow birch from the northern part
Europe of extra-thin (1⁄16") thickness
although not all retail outlets will
of its growing range will be heavier
of void-free alder and birch plies
carry a wide selection of grades
and contain a finer grain than wood
for the core and top-notch birch
and thicknesses.
from the southern region.
veneers for the faces. The Finnish
Normally, yellow birch has a light
Native American Woods
Figured birch can reach a higher
Birch plywood can also be
variety utilizes exterior adhesive
yellow to nearly white narrow band
graded and sold by its color, just
for outdoor use. Neither of these is
of sapwood. The heartwood ranges
like birch. The highest grade is
available in 4 × 8' sheets, but rather
from cream to tan to reddish tan,
white, followed by uniform light,
60 × 60" sheets and in thicknesses
and may even have tinges of gray
and natural. Lower paint and shop
from 4 mm (1⁄8") to 18 mm (3⁄4")
or red. For projects, choose boards
grades cost less. At a home center, the mid-level grade stock will
IT’S A FACT The enormous flying boat nicknamed “The Spruce Goose” built by Hughes Aircraft of California in the mid-1940s wasn’t really made of spruce. Due to its strength-to-weight ratio, North American yellow birch was the primary wood in its construction. Solid stock became wing and fuselage framing and veneer was laid up in laminations for all skin surfaces except those for control (ailerons, rudder, etc.), which were fabric covered. The giant seaplane had a 320' wingspan and weighed 400,000 pounds. It flew only once—over a mile 70' above Long Beach harbor on November 2, 1947.
vary widely in appearance from sheet to sheet, and contain minor natural defects, varying amounts of heartwood, and slightly lessuniform core material. If you’re able to sort through the stack for the best-looking sheets, you’ll save some money compared to
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
13
Figured curly birch
Native American Woods
Figured curly birch “flame”
buying the top white grades at a
lighter cuts. Plane the wood
closely resembles cherry,
hardwood lumberyard.
at a slight angle to avoid
mahogany, and walnut, you
surface chipping.
can transform it with by stain
Working yellow birch in the shop
adhesives, but its closed-pore
manufacturers have done
Because yellow birch is nearly
density requires glue with a long
for decades.
as hard as sugar maple, it dulls
open time to allow some surface
cutters, so if you don’t presently
penetration. Also, be sure to predrill
use carbide-tipped blades and
for screws as the wood readily
cutters, start now. Compared to
splits. Though hard, birch sands
BIRCH QUICK TAKE
maple, yellow birch machines
easily, and it turns like a dream.
Cost
Moderate
Weight
About same as sugar maple
Hardness
Slightly less than sugar maple
Stability
High
Durability
High
Strength
High
Toxicity
None
Tool type
Power tools with carbidetipped blades and cutters
Common uses
Cabinets, chairs, flooring, furniture, turnings
This wood will work with all
better, because it doesn’t tear out during edge-jointing, or burn as
Deciding on the right finish
easily. Due to its hardness, yellow
Yellow birch takes all clear finishes
birch should be fed at a moderate
equally well and holds paint nicely.
rate when ripping to give the blade
For even staining, though, you’ll
time to clear sawdust.
first need a wood conditioner or
As we said, yellow birch’s fine texture and generally straight
reduce blotching. Dye stains are
grain translate to machining well
a better choice. The wood’s close
and routing beautifully, but boards
grain doesn’t require filling.
with wavy figure mean taking
14
two sealer coats before staining to
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Because yellow birch’s grain
as furniture and cabinet
BOXELDER The softest of the maples has lots to offer woodworkers of all ages. BY PETE STEPHANO TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN
T
Normally lackluster, the wood
and Manitoba, for erosion control
classifies boxelder (Acer
sometimes displays raspberry-
and windbreaks, and because it can
negundo) as a “soft maple,” along
colored streaks caused by fungal
thrive in cold, punishing climates.
with silver maple and red maple.
infection. When wet or unseasoned,
The largest trees of this species–
The three are normally mixed and
boxelder offers up a nasty aroma
70' tall and up to 4' in diameter–
sold together under the soft maple
that fades once the wood dries.
are found there.
about the same as white pine,
History in woodworking
Purchasing tips
boxelder rates as the lightest and
Boxelder has been used for food
Like sugar maple, boxelder lumber
weakest of the maples. Although
containers such as crates and
grades range from First and
a bit brittle, it works easily with
barrels. Crafters have cut wooden
Seconds (FAS; the highest) to #3B
hand and machine tools, making it
utensils (treenware) from the wood.
Common (the lowest). However,
suitable for woodworking novices
Add to this list toys, basic furniture,
you’ll have to shop local sawmills
to practice on and use for a variety
and cabinets, as well as carvings.
or small outlets for boxelder within
of projects.
Beyond that, both woodturners and
the species’ growth range. It's not
box makers prize the red-streaked
always an easy find.
label. At 27 lbs. per cubic foot dry,
Boxelder stock is light-colored, fine-textured, and close-grained.
Turning of stained boxelder
stock for making eye-catching
Native American Woods
he forest products industry
Expect to triple the cost of FAS, 4 /4
turnings and decorative boxes.
(1"-thick) boxelder for red-streaked
Commercially, boxelder pulp has
stock. You won’t find any boxelder
gone into the making of fiberboard.
veneer, but specialty dealers will have carving and turning blanks,
Where the wood comes from
and possibly live-edge slabs.
In North America, the greatest quantity of boxelder grows from
How to select the best stock
the Great Lakes states to the
While boxelder lumber is normally
central Atlantic states and from
mixed with the other soft maples,
southern New England to northern
some specialty sawmills within the
Florida. However, because the tree
tree’s range may separate boxelder
grows rapidly, especially along
and sell it for a very reasonable
streams and in lowlands, it was
price. Except for those trees that
planted extensively in the West and
display wood with the unmistakable
Northwest, even into Saskatchewan
fungi-produced red streaks, there’s
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
15
Flatsawn, fungi-stained boxelder
little noticeable difference between
boxelder project parts together
red-stained boxelder fortify the
boxelder sapwood and heartwood,
with screws, drill pilot holes first
streaking with aniline dye of the
so selecting boards for a project
to avoid splitting.
same color to prolong its vividness.
Native American Woods
isn’t a difficult chore. Because of the wood’s poor resistance to
boxelder, but its tight grain won’t
decay, avoid it for all outdoor
absorb glue easily. Spread the
projects. Boxelder may also display
glue evenly on the mating
small, tight pin knots and birdpeck,
surfaces, rubbing them together
neither of which affects value and
if possible before clamping for
are allowed in grading.
a complete bond.
BOXELDER QUICK TAKE Cost
Moderate
Weight
About 25% lighter than sugar maple
Hardness
Roughly half as hard as sugar maple
sugar maple. For best results, use
Stability
Moderate
If you’re familiar with machining
a sanding sealer, dewaxed shellac,
Durability
the “hard” maple known as sugar
or a thin coat of a wipe-on finish
Low (due to rot and insect attack)
maple, you’ll find the much softer
to partially seal the wood before
Strength
Moderate
boxelder a lot easier to work. That
staining. Make sure the sealer and
Toxicity
Skin irritation possible
said, like sugar maple, it, too, will
stain are compatible by testing
Tool type
Hand and power tools with sharp blades and cutters
burn if precautions are not taken.
them on a piece of boxelder scrap.
When ripping boxelder, feed the
Another trick is to go with a gel or
Common uses
workpiece at a constant moderate
heavy-bodied stain that you wipe
Decorative and ornamental pieces, carvings, turnings, boxes, crates, some furniture, toys
rate to reduce or eliminate burning.
off and reapply to achieve the
The same is true when routing,
desired color.
Boxelder sands wonderfully,
Working boxelder in the shop
only here trim excess wood in several light passes. When drilling, eliminate burning
16
All adhesives work well on
but blotches when stained, just like
Because the wonderful red streaking on fungal-infected wood turns brown after prolonged
by using high-quality sharp bits
exposure to sunlight, slow down the
at a moderate to slow speed and
process with a clear finish that has
by occasionally raising the bit and
UV protection. Some woodturners
clearing the hole of chips. To fasten
and others who regularly work
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
IT’S A FACT Native Americans sought out the burls and knots on the lower trunks of boxelder trees for pipestems, bowls, dishes, and drums. They boiled the inner bark to make a tea that served as an emetic. They also boiled down the sap for syrup and treats.
CHERRY A wonderful wood that’s worth a little extra work BY JOE HURST-WAJSZCZUK
D
means that prices for select stock
need an introduction? Colonial
remain high, but thankfully, there’s no
cabinetmakers first substituted this
shortage on the horizon.
homegrown hardwood for mahogany.
Despite its many attributes, cherry
Years later, cherry played prominent
poses a few challenges. Few other
roles in Shaker and Arts and Crafts
woods are so demanding from start
furniture. Today, the wood continues
(selection) to finish. Here’s how to
to add dazzle to contemporary
avoid a few of the pits.
design. Woodworkers know that cherry’s beauty is more than just skin
Where the wood comes from
deep. Cherry’s characteristics make
North American black cherry
it wonderful to work by hand or with
primarily grows in the eastern
power tools. Not surprisingly, the
half of the U.S. The largest trees
demand for the rose-colored wood
are found in the Appalachian
CHERRY QUICK TAKE
IT’S A FACT ■■ Frontier folk boiled black cherry
bark and drank the liquid to treat bronchitis.
■■ “Cherry bounce,” a fermented
concoction brewed from wild cherries, enlivened many a pioneer hoedown.
■■ According to American Forests’
Native American Woods
oes cherry (Prunus serotina)
National Register of Big Trees, the tallest of the three co-champion black cherry trees grows in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee). It stands 132' tall and measures 169" in circumference at breast height. Such a trunk could yield as much as 2,000 board feet of lumber!
and Allengheny mountains of Pennsylvania and New York. But
Cost
High
thanks to distribution help from
How to select the best stock
Weight
Moderate
migrating birds who eat the fruit,
Success with cherry starts with
Hardness
Moderate
cherry trees can found from
good wood. Some of these
Stability
Good
Canada to Florida.
problems are easy to see (as
Durability
Poor
Strength
Moderate
an area returns to forest after
won’t appear until you’re making
Toxicity
None
logging, farming, or a forest fire. A
sawdust. Air-dried lumber can be
Tool type
Hand and power tools
tree will grow rapidly at first, but
less expensive, but it may host
Common uses
Small boats, cabinets, light construction, doors, indoor and outdoor furniture, millwork
as the forest matures, it eventually
wood-eating organisms. Kiln-dried
loses out to taller-growing species,
lumber is a safer bet, since the
like maple and oak.
heat kills these critters and makes
Cherry will often take root when
shown, next page), but others
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
17
Bugs
Pitch pockets
cut out or culled. Most boards
can affect design. And since it won’t
moisture content.
contain a few streaks of gum or
darken like heartwood, the contrast
pitch (cherry’s natural defense
will only increase over time. In
Speeding up the drying process
against infestation), but larger
response, cherry is sometimes
(cherry needs 2× more time in
pockets should be avoided. Mineral
graded with heartwood/sapwood
the kiln than poplar) can lead to
streaks, the dark bands that run
percentages. If you’re buying boards
checking, honey combing (cracks
with the grain, can occur when
sight unseen, ask your supplier
within a board), and case-hardening
a tree absorbs minerals from the
about how their wood is graded.
(boards that warp when you make
surrounding soil. If you’re matching
the first cut). Your best defense is
boards for a top or panel, you may
range of reds. Purchasing boards
sticking with a reliable supplier.
need to wait for another batch.
from the same tree is a good start,
Sapwood may not be a defect, but
but variations can occur within
long wide streaks of white sapwood
the same log. For the best color
Good wood has cosmetic problems that will need to be
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS As woods go, few are both as friendly and fickle as cherry. Here are two problems you’re likely to encounter, tips for avoiding them, and advice for making the fix when the damage is done. Scorch marks. Use sharp, clean cutters, and quick, light passes to minimize heat build-up. To remove burns left by a bit, adjust the depth and take a super-light final pass. Alternatively, scrape the trouble spot clean, and then finish-sand. Blotches. Wipe the wood with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to reveal blotch-prone areas. For minor blotching, finish-sand through 400 grit. In severe cases, seal the wood with a 1-lb. cut of dewaxed shellac. When dry, lightly sand with 320 grit and then apply a finish.
18
Mineral streaks
wood less palatable by lowering Some problems occur in the kiln.
Native American Woods
Sapwood
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Even the best boards come in a
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR Avoid tan lines. Cherry’s initial color change happens so fast that a misplaced tool can create a shadow line that’s hard to sand out. Keep freshly planed boards covered or completely exposed.
match, compare boards side by
Finishing cherry
you can test, sand and/or seal as
side. Wiping down the wood with
Cherry’s best color comes with
explained below.
mineral spirits will help reveal color.
time, so the safest bet is to simply
Staining cherry is particularly tricky. Gel stains or dyes work better
work mature to a deep, reddish
than pigment-based stains, but to be
Cherry is slightly softer, and easier
brown. Most of the color comes
safe, seal the wood with a washcoat
to work, than maple or oak, but it’s
within the first two years. To avoid
of shellac to even out the wood’s
sufficiently hard for case goods and
ghost-like imprints from direct
absoption properties. A washcoat
trim. It’s also surprisingly supple,
sunlight, leave surfaces free of
will reduce color intensity, so plan
making it a good choice for steam-
objects for the first six months.
on applying an additional coat of gel,
bent projects, such as Shaker boxes.
Cherry’s tendency to blotch
or mixing a more concentrated dye.
Cherry’s smooth texture makes
means that even your most reliable
Realize that because cherry darkens
it ideal for carving, although its
oil-or film-finish may not be
over time, stained sapwood will
brittleness does cause it to chip
foolproof. To counter this tendency,
eventually reveal itself.
Native American Woods
apply a clear finish and watch your
Working cherry in the shop
more than some other woods. The resin that helps turn the wood red makes cherry quick to
CHERRY FINISHING SECRETS
burn when a bit, blade, or bearing
■■ It’s best to remove any glue squeeze-out with a putty knife or chisel after it
lingers in one spot for too long, so take care to keep boards moving on the tablesaw, and don’t let your router stall in mid-pass. Cherry sands easily, but use fresh abrasives, and do not to let a sander linger,
thickens. Waiting until it dries may remove wood, too. Wiping it off wet can spread glue into the wood.
■■ Don’t use a coarse abrasive like 80-grit sandpaper on cherry if you can avoid it.
Start with 120-grit to prevent excessive surface scratching.
■■ For staining, remember that the coarser the grit you end up using, the darker
the stain will be (and vice versa).
■■ You can remove excessive gel stain (if it gets too dark) with a cloth dampened
in paint thinner.
or else you may scorch the wood.
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
19
AMERICAN CHESTNUT Recovering a legend
Native American Woods
BY UDO SCHMIDT
The distinctive toothed leaves of the American chestnut inspired the Latin name, C. dentada.
blight killed off most of these
A
It is relatively lightweight, but strong
about 400 species of trees and
massive beauties decades
and easily worked with hand and
shrubs, with approximately 50 of
ago. But woodworkers still enjoy
power tools. It is also resistant
them in North America. The most
working with salvaged chestnut,
to decay. Its primary use was for
recognized are the oaks, beeches,
and there is hope on the horizon for
house and barn sidings, fences, and
and chinkapins.
the species’ recovery.
poles. In areas where the tree was plentiful, the wood was used for
Early times
fire. Jack Frost nipping at your
anything from fine furniture to fuel
The native growth range of
nose.” We all know these traditional
for the fireplace.
the American chestnut covered a
“Chestnuts roasting on an open
Christmas lyrics, but the American
large part of the eastern U.S., with
chestnut tree offered much more
resource for the leather industry.
heavy concentration along the
than a fading seasonal memory.
In some areas, half of the tannin
Appalachian Mountains from New
When there was an abundance
used to make leather came
England to northern Georgia. It
of these large trees, the sweet
from the chestnut tree. Another
could adapt to a variety of
chestnut was a cash crop for many
industry based on the chestnut
site conditions, but preferred
eastern Americans. The nuts were
was charcoal making.
sandy loam.
stored and eaten year-round by humans and animals. The wood of the chestnut is compared to the western redwood.
20
Chestnut was also a major
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
American chestnut and its two
The flowers of the chestnut
cousins, the Chinese and European
appeared in June through July with
chestnut, belong to the beech
creamy-yellow blossoms.
family. This family consists of
Some mountain ranges were so
heavily populated with the tree, some people said they looked like they were covered in snow. The average chestnut tree grew to a height of 120' with a diameter of 7'. Old photographs and stumps show trees 20' in diameter. The lumber cut from one of these massive logs filled an entire railroad car.
The plight of the chestnut A bark disease called chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was first discovered in the Bronx Zoo in New York in 1904. These fungus spores are carried by air, insects, and birds and enter the tree through cracks and wounds in the bark. The disease spreads inside and girdles the tree. Death above the infected area occurs in two to
isolated, unreachable logs remained
ranges from grayish brown to brown
10 years. The root system stays alive
on the ground throughout its
and develops a rich patina with age.
and new sprouts appear, but are
growing range. Wandering deep
killed again as soon as the new tree
into the national forests of the
is wormy, which gives it a rustic
reaches a certain age.
eastern U.S., one might still find
appearance. It works easily with hand
a chestnut tree on the ground,
and power tools, but splits easily.
covered with moss.
Screws must be predrilled. All the
The blight spread so rapidly that despite federal, state, and local
Most available chestnut lumber
efforts, most of the chestnut trees
Many efforts were made to save
lumber available today is reclaimed
where infected by 1930. Because
the tree and breed a blight-resistant
from home sites or other buildings.
of the wood’s high resistance to
strain. By 1960, most state and
decay, dead trees continued to
federal programs had been halted.
stand for up to two decades. Many
A private, non-profit organization,
areas were called ghost forests.
The American Chestnut Foundation,
AMERICAN CHESTNUT QUICK TAKE
During the dying stage and after
was formed in June 1983 by a group
Cost
High
the trees where dead, they became
of scientists and concerned citizens.
Weight
Relatively light
prime targets for insect attacks. A
The organization wishes to breed the
Hardness
Moderate
particularly virulent attack came
American chestnut with the blight-
Stability
Moderate
from the two-lined chestnut borer,
resistant Chinese chestnut using the
Durability
Resistant to decay
Agrilus bilineatus.
“backcross method,” a method of
Strength
Moderate
genetic modification proven in crops,
Toxicity
None (but note that other types of chestnut can cause skin irritation)
Tool type
Hand and power tools
Common uses
Reclaimed lumber, furniture, siding, shingles, flooring
Most of the harvest of dead trees was punctured with wormholes,
but never used on trees.
but still sound and used as building
American chestnut is a ring-
material in all kinds of applications.
porous hardwood that resembles
By the 1950s, most of the chestnut
red oak and white ash in grain and
was harvested and only a few
texture, but is much softer. Its color
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Native American Woods
American chestnut lumber available today is reclaimed and almost always wormy. Many find it easy to work and like its rustic appearance.
21
Pecky
Old-growth sinker
CYPRESS Bountiful belle of the bottomlands BY PETE STEPHANO
Native American Woods
CONSULTANT: GREG ARCENEAUX
n interesting tree, the cypress:
A
History in woodworking
botanically, it’s “baldcypress,”
Due to its durability, cypress
and although classified as a conifer,
has traditionally been employed
and thus a softwood, it annually
for anything subjected to the
sheds its needles as do hardwood
elements—small boats, ship
deciduous trees, a trait shared with
decking, shingles, house siding,
only one other species, the larch.
docks, outdoor furniture, and more.
Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Although cypress benefits from the
isn’t really a true cypress either.
same decay-resistant qualities as
Instead, it belongs to the tree family that includes California’s coastal redwood.
and still is crafted into cabinets, fine
Unlike most trees, cypress prefers wetlands. In the swamps
Cost
Moderate
Weight
Moderate
Hardness
Moderate
Stability
High
Durability
High
Strength
Moderate
Toxicity
None, but a possible sensitizer
redwood and cedar, it is harder and
Tool type
Hand and power tools
stronger. This handsome wood was
Common uses
Small boats, cabinets, light construction, doors, indoor and outdoor furniture, millwork
furniture, flooring, paneling, and exposed structural features.
of the deep South, it grows shallow
22
CYPRESS QUICK TAKE
in color than the “yellow” cypress
serpentine roots that spread out
Where the wood comes from
wood from other bottomland areas
horizontally to anchor it. Occasional
Cypress grows mostly in wetlands
of its range.
protrusions of these roots above
from southernmost Illinois to the
water are called “knees” and are
Gulf Coast and up the eastern
the Gulf of Mexico yielded as much
eagerly sought by crafters to
seaboard to Delaware (about half
as 100,000 board feet of lumber
transform into novelties. But it is
the annual harvest originates in
per acre! Today, remnants of those
wood from its trunk that grabs
the South and one-quarter from
great old-growth trees are salvaged
woodworkers’ attention—cypress
the South Atlantic states). Lumber
from lakes, rivers, and swamps, then
rates among the top North
from trees growing in the deep gulf
dried and sold as “sinker” cypress.
American woods in decay
swamps of Louisiana, Alabama,
Recycled cypress timbers from
resistance and durability when
Georgia, and Florida is marketed
barns, factories, and warehouses
exposed to weather.
as “tidewater” cypress. It’s redder
become woodworking stock too.
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
At one time, cypress stands along
There’s also “pecky” cypress that
recycled timbers will have tighter
has been subjected to a fungus
grain and contain more of the
attack that leaves behind small,
extractives that ward off decay.
shallow, bug-like holes. The wood
Flatsawn sapwood boards display
proves sound, however, and in
“cathedral” grain with a distinct
demand for decorative use such
contrast between earlywood and
as wall paneling.
latewood, making the boards much more difficult to stain.
Purchasing tips
IT’S A FACT ■■ The largest baldcypress recorded
in North America grows on Cat Island, Louisiana. It’s 96' tall and has a diameter of nearly 20'.
■■ Baldcypress lives a long time.
Some stands of tidewater cypress have been estimated to be upwards of 1,000 years old.
Working cypress in the shop
Deciding on the right finish
hardwood-grading rules apply
Although light at 28 lbs. per cubic
Several coats of a penetrating
to cypress, as follows: Select &
foot air-dry, cypress is moderately
oil finish (clear or tinted) suits
Better (S&B), #1 Common, #2
hard and machines much like white
indoor cypress furniture quite well.
Common, and Pecky. Compared
pine. Its straight grain allows you
Outdoor projects benefit from the
to other decay-resistant woods
to work it with hand as well as
same, but use a product with UV
like redwood and cedar, cypress is
power tools. Be aware, though,
protection. Unprotected wood
inexpensive for top grade 4 /4 stock
that heartwood may have an
eventually weathers to a light gray.
Surfaced Two Sides (S2S). Sinker
unpleasant odor.
and Pecky cypress cost a bit more.
■■
If you decide to stain, remember
Ripping and routing. Although
that boards with cathedral grain
However, where the tree grows in
cypress lumber can feel greasy
won’t accept it evenly without first
abundance, cypress lumber prices
or waxy, there’s no pitch or resin
using a conditioner or employing
drop considerably.
to gum up cutting edges. Be sure
a gel stain.
The wood isn’t available in
to take light passes when routing
Cypress also holds paint
plywood, although cypress does
cathedral-grain boards to avoid
exceptionally well and is used
furnish an elegantly-figured veneer
tear-out.
throughout the South for exterior
Jointing. You’ll have no tear-
projects that require paint.
cut from crotch wood that’s called
■■
“faux satine.” It’s expensive as well
out or chipping problems with
as rare.
straight-grained boards, but as
Native American Woods
Even though it is a softwood,
with routing, cathedral-grain
How to select the best stock The more durable cypress
boards require light passes. ■■
Assembly. Cypress’ greasy feel
heartwood is darker than the
won’t hinder gluing. To avoid
sapwood. Avoid mixing the two
splitting, predrill clearance holes
together. Boards sawn from old-
for skews.
Sapwood
growth sinker heartwood and
CYPRESS FINISHING TIP
Heartwood
■■ To add color without blotching, try applying a thin coat of your final oil finish,
letting it dry, and then using an aniline dye. Finish with three or four coats of oil. Rub the surface down with #0000 steel wool between coats.
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
23
ELM The once-common commercial hardwood we almost lost BY PETE STEPHANO TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN
Native American Woods
E
lm may not be as conspicuous
species, the stock shares similar
and popular as are many of the
qualities, except that rock elm is
“cabinet class” wood species in
harder and heavier. Flatsawn elm
modern-day furnituremaking and
boards can sometimes exhibit a
woodworking. After all, the three
distinctive “W” or bird-feather grain
Elm was even favored for the keels
most common North American
patterns. The wood has open,
of English sailing ships; in fact,
elms represent only about three
coarse grain much like white ash
much American elm was exported
percent of all commercially available
that is most often interlocked,
for that very purpose.
domestic hardwoods. That’s mainly
making it somewhat difficult to
due to the fast-spreading Dutch
work. Although only moderately
when in constant contact with
elm disease of the 1950s and 1960s
strong, elm bends easily, is shock
water, so bored-out elm (along
that devastated millions of stately
resistant, and can take abuse.
with hemlock) logs ended up as
elms from the East Coast to the
below-ground city water pipes in
Midwest, as well as in Great Britain
History in woodworking
and Europe, nearly wiping out the
Elm’s woodworking roots go
species. Since that crisis, disease-
back thousands of years. The first
included wagon wheels and hubs,
resistant elms have been botanically
written references to elm occur
barrel staves and hoops, children’s
created and reintroduced to
in the Mycenaean Period of early
wagons and sleds (it won’t easily
American woodlands.
Greece—lists of military equipment
splinter), agricultural implements,
mention the wood’s use in chariot
tool handles, hockey sticks,
represented as lumber in the U.S.
parts. Centuries-old bows found
boxes, and even baseball bats. In
include American or gray elm
in Europe employed elm—even
contemporary applications, the
(Ulmus Americana), red elm (Ulmus
the famed English longbow was
wood is ideal for steam-bent chair
rubra) also known as slippery elm,
occasionally crafted of it when
parts as well as tabletops
and rock elm (Ulmus thomasii).
bowyers lacked the preferred yew.
and cabinets.
The domestic elm species
Great Britain’s most prominent one is English elm (Ulmus procera), which is called Carpathian elm in continental Europe. No matter the individual elm
24
Surprisingly, elm resists decay
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
18th-century Europe and America. In the U.S., elm’s early usage
IT’S A FACT Elm’s interlocked grain adds difficulty to machining, but to some users, it was a blessing. In early America, tough elm was a favorite material for horse barn floors. The grain showed impressive resistance to the wear of horses’ hooves!
Flatsawn red elm
Quartersawn red elm
The much heavier and harder rock
rock elm lumber can show some
In North America, two of elm’s
elm, though, is usually sold apart
staining, which detracts from
principal lumber species—American
from the other elms and can cost a
appearance. And all elm boards
and red—grow from the Midwest
bit more. You may only be able to
can have tiny bird pecks and pin
to the East Coast and southern
find rock elm lumber close to where
knots, both of which are allowed in
Canada to northern Florida. The
it grows. Only some local dealers
grading because neither affects the
smaller rock elm has a range
in the range carry gray or red elm
wood’s performance.
roughly limited to the northern
lumber, so be sure to call around
When selecting boards, be
parts of the Great Lakes states.
before wasting gas. Don’t expect
discriminate concerning quality.
to find it at big box stores and small
Improperly stored elm during
urban lumberyards.
seasoning may show warp and/
English elm grows throughout Great Britain and the temperate regions of the continent. Some
Paperbacked, rotary-cut elm
or twist that may result in working
elm species also grow in Asia
veneer, both American and red, is
problems and waste. After
and Australia. Due to precautions
available by the square foot or 4×8'
purchasing elm boards, be sure to
against the transmittal of Dutch elm
sheet in 10 mm thickness. Thicker
store them in stickered fashion off
disease, you’ll only find English elm
veneer (22 mm) costs more as does
the floor with evenly distributed
burl veneer being sold in the U.S.,
flat sliced and quarter cut. Scarce
weights atop the stack.
and it’s expensive.
Carpathian elm burl veneer may
Native American Woods
Where the wood comes from
be very expensive in comparison,
Purchasing tips
and comes in 4×8' sheets of
The National Hardwood Lumber
10 mm thickness.
Association (NHLA) grades for all
Finally, while English and Asian
ELM QUICK TAKE Cost
Moderate
Weight
About 25% lighter than red oak
Hardness
50% softer than sugar maple
Stability
Moderate
How to select the best stock
Durability
Moderate
are similar to those for hickory
Elm varies slightly in color from
Strength
and pecan in that they allow for
species to species. American and
Moderate (but bends easily)
narrower 4"- and 5"-wide boards
rock elm have a grayer cast to their
Toxicity
None
compared to the minimum 6"-
natural tan heartwood color, while
Tool Type
Hand and power tools
wide boards in the best grades.
red displays a warmer orange-red
Common Uses
Many sellers do not differentiate
color. The sapwood of all three
between red and American elm.
is a very light tan. American and
Cabinets, steam-bent seating, tabletops, tool handles, some small projects
elm except rock elm are somewhat
elm is made into plywood and s
complicated, but you can expect
old in Europe and Asia, you’ll not
to find lumber graded from First
find elm plywood made and sold
and Seconds (FAS; the highest) to
in the U.S.
Common grades (the lowest). For rock elm, NHLA grades
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
25
HICKORY The tough guy of America’s commercial lumber BY PETE STEPHANO
few North American hardwoods
A
Another hickory, pecan (Carya
the wood in body frames and
may be stronger than hickory
illinoensis), at one time filled a niche
chassis. The wood saw employment
and a couple may be harder, but of
for quality home and office furniture
in hockey sticks and tennis rackets.
all domestic commercial species
but today is valued more for its
Craftsmen then and now use green
in common use, none matches
annual nut crop than for its lumber.
hickory for making rustic chairs,
Native American Woods
hickory in its combination of hardness, strength, stiffness, and
History in woodworking
the bark for weaving chair seats and
shock resistance (yet it readily
Native Americans looked to hickory
making baskets.
steam-bends). It may have been
wood for bows and its inner bark
the reflection of these traits that
for baskets. The tree also gave them
hickory today is for the handles of
led the Tennessee soldiers under
sustenance with its sweet syrup and
striking tools, because it doesn’t
the command of General Andrew
nut meal. Pioneers relied heavily on
transfer the impact of a blow to the
Jackson to nickname him “Old
the wood for fuel and used hickory
user’s arm. Some hickory finds its way
Hickory” at the battle of New
chips for smoking ham and other
into traditional and rustic furniture,
Orleans in 1815.
meats. As the land was settled,
kitchen cabinets, and flooring.
Surprisingly, each of hickory’s
A significant commercial use of
hickory was shaped into wagon parts
four important commercial species
such as spokes, rims, and hitch trees.
Where the wood comes from
shares those attributes—shagbark
Due to its strength and stiffness,
Hickory grows naturally in a general
(Carya ovata), pignut (Carya glabra),
farm implement makers put hickory
range from the Missouri River
shellbark (Carya laciniosa), and
to good use. So, too, did the earliest
eastward. It’s especially abundant in
mockernut (Carya tomentosa).
automobile makers, which employed
the central states that include the
Hickory sapwood
26
rockers, and other furniture, and use
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Hickory heartwood with sapwood
Hickory heartwood
lower Mississippi Valley, where trees
How to select the best stock
can reach 130' tall with diameters
In the hardwood lumber
of 30" and better. In fact, half of all
trade, hickory and pecan
hickory lumber originates in the
aren’t separated, but specialty
central and mid-Atlantic states; the
wood retailers may do so and
rest comes from the Southern and
then price each differently. Why
South Atlantic states. The greatest
does it make a difference? Hickory
source of pecan is Arkansas, Louisiana,
is not as warm in color as pecan,
Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
and mixing the two in a project may
Pecan
cause staining problems. So sort by
Purchasing tips
color and grain if you can, and wet
As abundant as it is, hickory ought
the board faces to get a better read.
predrill for screws as the wood
to be dirt cheap. However, its high
For uniform color, select boards that
splits easily.
green shrinkage rate translates into
are all white sapwood or entirely
a slower drying time that increases
of brown heartwood. Boards with
cost. (Note: After kiln-drying,
heartwood and contrasting sapwood
hickory remains quite stable.)
lend a rustic look.
Specialty wood suppliers often
■■
Sanding. Don’t skip grits, or scratches result.
Finishing hickory Hickory tends not to darken
Working hickory in the shop
with age and takes all stains and
Surfaced Two Sides (S2S) to 3⁄4"
Because of hickory’s extreme
finishes equally well. Because of
thick. “Rustic” hickory, with sound
hardness (pecan is less hard), you’ll
the hardness of hickory, sanding
knots and other defects, costs less.
find the wood difficult to work
may take more time. Work through
When you can find pecan lumber,
with hand tools. Expect to sharpen
220 grit. Some woodworkers will
it’s more expensive per board foot.
the cutters in your power tools
wet the wood at this stage to raise
Hickory paper-backed veneer
frequently when milling it. With
the grain, let it dry, and then final-
and 3⁄4" x 4' x 8' sheets of hickory
that understood, keep these added
sand with 320 grit for a smooth,
plywood are also available.
suggestions in mind.
de-whiskered surface. The wood’s
Although hard to locate, pecan
■■
Planing, ripping, routing, and
open grain can be filled to arrive at
plywood in 3⁄4" thickness is priced
jointing. Run hickory through
a glass-smooth, reflective surface
higher than other hickory plywoods.
the planer taking only light cuts
on a tabletop or desktop, though
to avoid tear-out, or drum-sand
a heavy-bodied varnish will do the
HICKORY QUICK TAKE
the wood to avoid the problem
same thing. When staining hickory,
Cost
Average
altogether. Due to its density,
use a test piece to see if you need
Weight
High (much heavier than red oak)
hickory requires a slower feed
a conditioner to prevent blotching.
rate than oak when ripping it on
Many who build hickory furniture
a tablesaw, though it tends to
wipe on three coats of an oil/
burn less than cherry or maple.
varnish mix to finish it or spray on
Also, take extremely light passes
two to three coats of water-based
Hardness
High (about 25% harder than sugar maple)
Stability
High
Durability
High
with the router. Straight-grained
polyurethane or lacquer, sanding
Strength
High
hickory poses no jointing
between applications.
Toxicity
None
problems, but the occasional
Tool type
Power tools with sharp blades and cutters
boards with wavy figure again
Common uses
Cabinets, chairs, flooring, furniture, stools, tool handles, turnings
Native American Woods
carry First and Seconds (FAS) boards
mean taking very light cuts. ■■
Assembly. Hickory cooperates with all adhesives, but be sure to
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
27
HOLLY The world’s whitest hardwood with centuries of tradition BY PE TE S TEPHANO TECHNIC AL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN
N
along America’s mid-Atlantic coast
Holly trees can thrive anywhere in
Although Brazil and China claim
coaxes swarms of holly berry-and-
a temperate climate, but the colder
the greatest number, the most
leaf harvesters to ready decorations
the conditions, the smaller the
storied of the species–and the most
for the holiday season. The state
tree. You’ll find American holly (Ilex
familiar to woodworkers–are found
of Delaware embraces holly as the
opaca) growing in tree form from
in Europe and the U.S.
state tree.
east Texas to Florida and north to
early 350 different species of
Native American Woods
holly trees grow worldwide.
Few tree species have such a
Where the wood comes from
Delaware. Further north in southern
long history of folklore and holiday
History in woodworking
New England the species shrinks to
tradition as this evergreen hardwood
Holly has always been used
shrub size.
(which, by the way, has its own
for small items, such as chess
botanical genus: Ilex). England’s
pieces, brush backs and handles,
as fairly abundant. But it’s never a
ancient druids associated the tree’s
treenware, and inlay. In fact, piano
very large tree (50' tall maximum)
shiny, prickly leaves and red berries
keys made of this extremely white
and due to its many branches, holly
with special powers of protection,
wood look like ivory. Its tight grain
trees produce comparatively little
as did the olden day Romans,
and trait of taking a high polish
clear wood. And, as might you
who brought the foliage inside as
made it the choice for loom
might guess, the wood does not
decoration for their celebration of
spinning rods in the 19th-century
constitute a mainstay commercial
the winter solstice. This yuletide
textile industry–the smooth wood
lumber. In fact, where it grows
practice eventually emigrated to
did not snag threads.
the largest, along the mid-Atlantic
England and then to the New World.
IT’S A FACT Once upon a time in England, and later in colonial America, entrepreneurs stripped holly trees of their bark, and then boiled and strained it to obtain a highly adhesive substance called “birdlime.” It was spread on tree branches to capture unwitting songbirds, which were then sold at market as caged pets. The practice is unlawful today.
28
Today, the coming of winter
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Today’s woodturners love putting
Wherever it grows, holly trees rate
coast, it’s often not even cut for
holly on their lathes, carvers adore
lumber, but instead left to produce
shaping it, and marquetry makers
its annual growth of shiny green
dye it into a host of colors (dyed
leaves and red berries to be used for
black, it’s an ebony look-alike as
holiday decoration.
shown above, right). Luthiers use holly for pegs, fretboards, and other
Purchasing tips
tiny but highly noticeable instrument
You’ll only find holly at specialty
parts. However, due to lack of
wood suppliers, especially for
suitability, the wood is seldom made
turning squares, pencil (as in No. 2
into cabinets or furniture.
Ticonderoga) and pen blanks, and
Holly turning/ carving blank
Rough-sawn holly boards
Surfaced holly board (#1 Common w/knots)
Ebonized holly
carving blocks. Because of holly’s
Holly pen blank
modest trunk diameter, board size will range from 2–10" in width and 3–10' in length, but with many knots (in fact, the wood normally and it’s expensive. Small sheets of
Working holly in the shop
veneer are available for marquetry
This close-grained, fine-textured
but are also costly.
wood is subject to scorching and
HOLLY QUICK TAKE
burning when sawn and machined,
Cost
High
How to select the best stock
so avoid a too-slow feed rate. When
Weight
Holly is a tight, close-grained
drilling, stop often to clean out
Moderate (a little lighter than red oak)
wood with barely discernible grain
the dust from the hole. With holly
Hardness
Moderate (two-thirds as hard as sugar maple)
patterns and absolutely no figure.
boards, expect to work around
Stability
Moderate
Its large band of sapwood is the
knots.
Durability
Low (low regarding decay, modest for wear indoors)
Strength
Moderate
Toxicity
None
Tool type
Power tools and sharp hand tools
Common uses
Accents, carvings, turnings, inlay, jewelry boxes, small musical instrument parts
whitest of any hardwood. The
Holly isn’t hard, but sharp cutting
heartwood is only slightly darker
edges are important when milling
and may show tinges of blue.
holly due to its interlocked grain.
Select boards and pieces based on
Take very light passes when planing,
the fewest number of imperfections
jointing, and routing. Carvers find
(knots) and uniform color with
that it cuts similarly to basswood;
no “blue stain.” This discoloration
turners like how holly shapes easily,
typically appears when holly is
yielding a smooth surface.
harvested during warm weather and
Sanding holly is nearly effortless
seasoning/kiln drying is delayed. Also
as you progress through successive
be mindful that holly is not really that
grits. Achieve a polished surface
stable, so watch for signs of warp
by using fine abrasives. Holly
that could worsen. In small pieces
also bonds well with all types of
for inlay, accents, and so on, this is
adhesives and poses no problems
of little consequence.
when dying, staining, and finishing.
THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK
Native American Woods
grades as #1 Common or below),
29
CRAFTS & HOBBIES: WOODWORKING $27.95 US
RIGHT LUMBER MAKES ALL the DIFFERENCE
The
For any woodworker, carpenter, artist, or maker, knowing what wood to use and how to use it is critical to woodworking success. To that end, The Essential Wood Book makes the basics of using and choosing wood easy to understand. While some wood books are highly scientific or overflowing with exotic or hard-to-find woods that you’ll never use, this handy, user-friendly guide is the perfect resource for anyone seeking straight-forward information about buying and working with the most essential woods needed to tackle any project.
The Essential Wood Book includes: ■■
Helpful info on the most essential native and exotic woods from Ash to Zebrawood.
■■
Expert know-how on lumber grades, buying hardwood lumber, and navigating saw mills.
■■
Essentials of wood movement, squaring up rough lumber, and perfect flat panel glue-ups.
■■
Techniques for salvaging lumber, harvesting your own, and working with wild, discolored, and toxic wood.
■■
Pro tips for drying your lumber and easy-to-make storage projects.