Wood for Woodworking

There are lots and lots of kinds of wood for woodworking projects. So many, in fact, that it can sometimes be challenging for a woodworker to decide what is the perfect type of wood for his particular project. For example, a good piece of solid wood is what you would most often find being used for furniture, and the particular type of wood used would determine the look and/or durability of the piece. But given the tips we will be outlining here, hopefully we can shed a little bit of light on what the differences are from one type of wood to the next, and what type is the best for each particular project.

Ironically, softwoods are not actually "softer" or less durable that hardwoods, although that is what the name would likely lead one to believe. They usually are yellowish or reddish in color, and are not as pricey as hardwoods. Another plus to softwoods is that they are grown on specific farms, and are a sustainable resource, and are not being cut to extinction (deforestation) like some other kinds of woods. Here are a few softwood choices:

Cedar is a straight grained, red colored wood that has a nice scent. Cedar also stands up to the environment very well, making it ideal for outdoor furniture and decks.

Doug fir is probably the most basic wood you will find in your local hardware. It is what is used to build houses, and it is hard, sturdy and inexpensive. It is not a very attractive wood out there though, lacking the beautiful grains that you may find in other woods. Doug fir doesn't stain well, either. Doug fir is mainly only recommended for use if it is going to be covered up later with paint or more wood, etc.

Pine is an inexpensive soft wood that is great for carving. Pine will take a stain, but you will need to seal it before applying any stains. The main drawback to pine however, is that you may often find sap oozing out of it.

And finally our last softwood is redwood. It is indeed reddish in color, just as its name would suggest. It is moderately priced and very attractive.

Some common hardwoods:

Ash is a choice that is simple to work with and easily stainable, but it is becoming increasingly hard to find.

Birch is not too expensive when compared to other common hardwoods and comes in shades of white and yellow. The stains come out blotchy when you attempt to stain birch however.

Cherry is a very popular hardwood that is a great all around choice for all your woodworking wood needs. It is easy to work with, stains well and comes in beautiful shades of red and white. It is sustainable and eco-friendly, but it is also expensive.

Mahogany, like cherry, is a reddish hardwood with a nice grain. So nice looking, in fact, that it will look nice with just a coat of oil and no stain at all. Mahogany is not sustainable and may be extinct one day, therefore is very expensive.

Maple is not too expensive, and is very stable, but difficult to work with.

Oak is the type of wood that you most commonly find in furniture, particularly outdoor furniture, since it holds up so well to the elements. White oak especially, because it looks nicer and holds up even better.

Poplar is generally not too expensive and is nice and strong, but tot too pretty, which is why you will often find it in places where it will not be seen, such as inside drawers.

Teak is a very expensive wood that is also often used for outdoor furniture that is becoming hard to find.

Walnut is a great choice to make a project prettier, but it is expensive and finding large pieces of it is getting harder these days.

Now that you know all your options of wood for woodworking, go out and build that project!

Wood Carving is a Hobby to Be Enjoyed Despite the Age

Hand carved wood is often used for decorative purposes and includes statues, figurines and murals of varying designs. Making beautiful figurines and designs out of wood is a hobby that has been around for many years.

Hand carved wood is unique and beautiful to look at. Whether it is a wooden statue or an intricate doorway; the details and designs of wood carvings offer a unique and vivid impression. Time and patience has gone into the carvings, and it is often easy to see the love that has been instilled in the projects. Over the years, working with wood has led to many new hobbies and pursuits for people who are finding satisfaction in putting their hands to good use.

Wood carving tools are important in order to make beautiful and intricate carvings. Depending on the design and the intricacies of the details, different wood carving tools may be required for a number of different projects. For broad and generalised work, a single carving knife may do the job, but for smaller detailed work, chisels and bents may be more appropriate. Wood carving tools can be used to design intricately detailed doors and murals, making vases and bowls, making toys for children and furniture as well as designing unique portrait frames and murals.

Learning which tools work better for various jobs is something that comes with a little bit of time and effort, but will not take long to learn. With the right tools and the right wood - wood carving is a hobby to be enjoyed despite the age.

Woodturning Blanks - Spalted Wood and Where to Find It

When a piece of wood starts to rot and decay the fungi and mould combines to produce a strange reaction. This phenomenon causes a wonderful array of lines, colours and patterns that stain the wood. This process creates stunning visual effects and is known as spalting. The best examples of spalting usually occur in lighter coloured woods such as Beech, Maple, Birch and sometimes Oak.

When it comes to woodturning blanks, spalted wood is highly prized by all wood turners. Because it is sought after timber, some craftsmen actually try artificially inducing the spalting process to replicate the fantastic patterns. This usually involves placing a piece of wood inside a plastic bin liner along with a small amount of water, beer and Oak leaves. A small piece of rotting or spalted wood will also speed up the process.

Spalted wood is commonly found on the forest floor. If a tree branch has been brought down by strong winds and left on the ground, you can guarantee that spalting will follow fairly quickly. Spalting only occurs in certain conditions for example, where some moisture is present and in certain temperatures. When the wood dries the fungi is killed but the amazing patterns remain.

The only downside with spalted wood is the reduced strength in some cases. This means sometimes it is difficult to work with. If a piece of timber has been decaying for too long, it can be particularly weak. This problem is not an insurmountable one but decayed wood will require treatment with a specialist wood hardener. This will make the piece stable and suitable for most wood turning or carving projects.

Some of the most impressive turned objects you will see are made out of spalted wood. If you do not fancy purchasing spalted woodturning blanks, you can always ask Mother Nature to help you out by collecting some dead wood from the forest floor. This is a readily available source of spalted wood as long as you have permission and don't mind getting your hands dirty.