Questions tagged [wood-selection]
Questions regarding selection of wood for specific applications or characteristics.
2
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2answers
46 views
Replace porch boards (2x6) with composite
In 1993, my front porch was built using 2x6's for the decking, mounted perpendicular to the front of the house. After too many years of painting, replacing porch post's and rail balusters, I'm ready ...
2
votes
3answers
130 views
How Much Weight Can a 1inch x 11inch Dowel Hold/Support?
I am asking about the 6416U 1 in. x 1 in. x 48 in. Hardwood Round Dowel they sell at Home Depot.
I plan to join 3 4x4s and use the middle one as a swivel, the middle one will be under load and the 2 ...
2
votes
0answers
56 views
What wood can I use to make a jewelry box with a scroll saw? [closed]
I’m fairly new to wood working. I took a shop class in school years ago but that’s about the extent of my knowledge. I was wondering what a good wood would be to make a jewelry box using the scroll ...
1
vote
0answers
113 views
Wood selection and thickness for a laminate workbench top
I am planning a proper woodworking workbench for my shop in a Roubo style with a laminate top. The top will be 2 1/2' x 6'. As I will likely have this bench for the rest of my life, I do not mind ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
What kind of wood is appropriate for a cast iron bench?
I have a cast iron bench with wooden slats that have rotted outdoors. The environment is coastal New England, so there are extremes of temperature, salt, and ice. The type of bench is shown in the ...
3
votes
3answers
83 views
Can you use smaller dimensions of hardwood than softwood and have the same strength?
I am planning on building some furniture which has to support 2 aquariums. I have found many examples online of a simple design which uses 2x4s constructional softwood to build a box for the aquarium ...
2
votes
3answers
87 views
Monolithic wooden boards vs joint wooden boards
We are going to make modular kitchen and wardrobes for our home using pure hard wood like teak wood. The depths of the shelf vary from 1 feet to 1 and half feet.
For shelves, can we use planks of ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Thickness of back-panels, horizontal planks and vertical planks
Our walls are made of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) with a thickness of 15 cm.
The walls have 15mm gypsum plaster on both the sides.
We are doing interior design - installation of wardrobes and ...
0
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1answer
88 views
7' x 7' Resin Shed Base - Plywood on blocks?
I bought a 7x7 resin shed. Link below: https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/sheds-outdoor-storage-accessories/sheds/suncast-reg-covington-reg-storage-shed-7-x-7/bms7725/p-1507530514920.htm
I need to ...
0
votes
1answer
114 views
Did I get hosed on the price for this ebony?
A local box store called Woodcraft had some pretty rough cut Ebony out for sale at $80/board foot. I haven't researched it much and don't know if this is a good price, but I got enough to turn a small ...
0
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2answers
60 views
Where can I buy custom cut wood sections for my project?
I'm working on bathroom vanity unit project. I don’t have any advanced cutting tools, so getting the pieces cut would be a great help. I am thinking of using Ash, are there any other woods/materials ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
2.20m x 3.80m rectangular frame - will it be stable?
I want to make a cover that masks the pond foil along the edges of my parents' fish pond which is 2.2m x 3.8m.
I'm planning on using quarter sawn boards out of larch, 11cm wide and 3cm thick, joined ...
3
votes
0answers
53 views
Is there a reference for woods similar to exotics?
I support the idea behind the CITES treaty. However it seems that it took all the popular and desirable exotic woods and banned/regulated them to a point where normal schmoes can't afford to buy ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
What are some tricks to flatten twisted and warped lumber boards without removing any material from them?
I live in Lithuania, Eastern Europe. Throughout the years, I have bought lumber from more than 20 lumberyards all around the country, trying to find at least a single one that could sell me straight, ...
4
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2answers
100 views
How to screw beer tap into wood without cracking
I am making a live edge shelf, similar to this, with my cousin. It will be about 3 feet long, 8 inches deep, and 1 inch thick.
I want to attach beer taps too it about every 5-6 inches, but I am ...
0
votes
1answer
104 views
Can these tree tunks be used for a small table?
The other day I found these two sections of a tree trunk in the street. So I'm wondering, can they be prepared to be used as some type of rustic stump table?
1
vote
0answers
49 views
How do I select wood types for a walk in wardrobe?
I am an amateur at wood working and am taking my time on my first large project, a walk-in wardrobe for some awkward space in my bedroom.
I've went over and over my plans to make sure they are what I ...
2
votes
2answers
156 views
Substituting Walnut for Hickory in a bow saw
I'm planning on building a version of the Gramercy Tools bow saw. According to their research, Hickory is a good substitute for the European Beech wood classically used in such saws, since it is both ...
4
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1answer
245 views
What wood species should I use for making stickers?
What type of wood would be best to make stickering pieces? Should they be round or square or triangular shaped?
2
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1answer
155 views
Can i use Aspen wood for my beginner axe handle? [duplicate]
This is the first time i'm creating what i hope will be a well enough durable axehandle. I don't like to buy my wood, I would rather take a tree down and work from the beginning. It's feels better in ...
1
vote
1answer
114 views
How to calculate board feet for project I'm working on [duplicate]
The whole board feet deal is a little confusing to me. If I have a 2" x 2" x 36" board, how many board feet does that add up to? Is it 1 board foot? Trying to figure out how much to order for a ...
1
vote
2answers
190 views
How is this large and intricate piece made with such precision?
I'm not a woodworker, but my dad is pretty handy and he has lots of woodworking tools and machinery so I'm familiar with the craft. I recently stumbled across this incredible piece online and I'm ...
1
vote
2answers
97 views
Wooden dog house for a chewer
I don't want to buy cedar as the material for my dog house as the dog is going to chew it and it's just a waste of money.
What alternative material can I use? or is there a way to treat construction ...
2
votes
2answers
8k views
What wood type is suitable for a childrens toy?
I'm a GCSE student and for my exam I have to design a children's toy and I wanted a durable, non toxic and cheap wood for some of my designs that could be thrown around and be put into children's ...
4
votes
1answer
322 views
How to make bottom for a big drawer?
I'm making a set of amateur under-bed "drawers" from scrap. Nothing fancy, just re-using materials from old closet. This is my first project of such scale.
There are intended to be 3 quite large ...
4
votes
1answer
326 views
Working with Wenge or Purpleheart
I'm looking into creating a jewelry box for a ring and I am trying to decide on which wood to use. I am stuck between either using Wenge or Purpleheart, I have heard that Wenge can cause an allergic ...
2
votes
2answers
4k views
What are some good wood choices for making signs?
What is the best board (type of wood) for making signs?
I will purchase board and then cut it to size of sign. Need something that doesn't warp.
5
votes
1answer
3k views
Why S4S boards sold at Home Depot aren't straight?
I am planing to build a picture frame with walnut. Since I am still very new to woodworking, I need boards which are as close as possible to the final dimension. I found a 1 in. x 2 in. x 8 ft. walnut ...
1
vote
2answers
109 views
Shelf building questions from a newbie
Good day all
I want to start building a wooden "shelf" of sorts, the problem is that I have literally no experience. So I have been looking at a bunch of youtube tutorials and asking my stepdad for ...
2
votes
2answers
8k views
What kind of wood is thin enough to cut with a knife, but strong enough for doll furniture?
I am a beginner in woodworking and I'd like to create doll furniture (1:6 scale). I would prefer however not to use any sawing equipment because of the small size, and I do not have the option to use ...
3
votes
1answer
186 views
Is kiln dried jack pine suitable for a kitchen table?
My wife wants a farm house table and prefers conifer wood; i.e., not a hardwood. I have some 5/4 jack pine that has been kiln dried and aged somewhat. Is this a suitable wood for a kitchen table? How ...
2
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2answers
107 views
What criteria do I need to consider when selecting wood for a walking stick?
A long time ago I tore a branch off a tree, barked it and finished it with a few coats of varnish. It was more fun than functional. The stick was not that straight so pressure from using it caused it ...
5
votes
2answers
291 views
What wood/finish would hold up to use in a video game controller?
A while back, I went on a spree of replacing handles with wood in some tools/toys I had, since I quite liked the feel. In the past couple years, I've picked up competitive gaming, and would like the ...
2
votes
2answers
118 views
Choices of contrasting wood for laminated table mat
I am planning to make some (probably about 20) table mats by laminating some contrasting-colour strips. The idea is to end up with a mat that looks like this:
The mat as a whole will be 289mm by ...
0
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1answer
759 views
Wood types in Southeast Asia
What sort of wood found in Southeast Asia is lightweight and can be used to build teething toys for children?
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2answers
483 views
Thin, Flat Sheet - Plywood, Masonite, or MDF?
I'm building a puzzle-keeper as a Christmas gift and have a reasonable design which includes a frame and several insets of large, flat sheets to hold the puzzle pieces, topped with a "lid". While I'm ...
3
votes
2answers
366 views
Materials and finish for an office chair mat?
I want to build a chair mat for the desk in my home office which has high pile carpet. It gets heavy use and I'm tired of buying a new plastic one every year or so. The last one I got was from Costco ...
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vote
3answers
496 views
Gluing boards from big-box stores
An answer to a previous question of mine suggested gluing two boards bark-side to bark-side in order to compensate for possible cupping. I'll likely be buying the boards at a big-box store (Lowes) and ...
7
votes
2answers
754 views
Cherry wood for dining table - Strong enough or should I consider Walnut?
I went lumber shopping for my first wood working project - Pedestal dining table (See picture)
I found that the prices vary wildly and am having a hard time choosing one because I don't know what is ...
0
votes
2answers
515 views
making a cover for pipes on the wall
I recently bought a house and I did most of the renovation work in the house. Most of the things are done, I still have some ugly pipes sticking out of the wall, I really don't like them. I want to ...
4
votes
2answers
184 views
What is the type of wood that is often purchased in bulk at the hardware store?
I live in the central part of the United States. When I go to a local hardware store (such as Menards or Lowes) there are wooden boards of different thicknesses and length just labeled "Untreated ...
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2answers
1k views
Can you make shaker doors out of one piece of MDF?
I've seen people make raised panel doors out of one piece of MDF. I've also seen a professional machine make a shaker door out of one piece. But is it feasible for someone to make one with a handheld ...
6
votes
1answer
6k views
What would be the UK equivalent of the common US 2 by 4 (not just by size)
I've found a DIY shelving project that interests me and am setting about researching the best place to obtain the wood required for it.
In this project, and others I have seen, the American ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
What wood type is appropriate for creating custom inlays?
I want to create an inlay of my fiancee's initials for a cutting board I am making for her. For the inlay pieces, however, I'm not sure what wood I should use. Because I am a slight beginner and don't ...
2
votes
3answers
611 views
How to choose desirable oak slabs for projects
I'm new to woodworking and have recently been given the opportunity to pick up free logs of a recently felled oak tree. (I believe logs is the proper term here, correct me if I'm wrong. Cords? Slabs?) ...
4
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2answers
954 views
Choosing wood type for child's rocking horse chair
I have purchased this plan to make a friend's child a rocking horse chair.
The photo appears to show the project made from pine. Although I do like the appearance in the photo, I'm worried that pine ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Good wood for beer pong table
I'm looking for the best wood recommendations to build a large quantity of beer pong tables in the cheapest way possible.
For those who don't know, beer pong is a party game in which a ping pong ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
What kind of wood should be used in constructing a catapult arm?
I used 2x4's on my catapult. But I'd like to make it beefier with more throwing power. The body is pressure treated wood, and eventually I'd like to add more garage springs or other counter force ...
2
votes
2answers
933 views
Structural engineering with wood: determining post size, span, etc, for a timber frame house [closed]
This may be off-topic here, not sure.
My college background is math and physics, but I'm hoping to switch gears and build my own home and live off the land. So, I've been studying and reading up on ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Strength of 1 1/2“ by 1 1/2” Douglas fir
I would like to put a new floor in a tag-a-long trailer. I would like it to be light but strong and I plan on using Douglas fir 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" as my floor joists and to be spaced apart 12" with a 5/...
