Questions tagged [wood-selection]
Questions regarding selection of wood for specific applications or characteristics.
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Wood sag question
I used a 2ft. piece of 2x12 Doug Fir as a small ramp for truck.
When truck weight was on the 2x12; the 2x12 flexed (sagged) a little and when the weight was removed the 2x12 went back into its regular ...
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98 views
What type of wood can I use to achieve this finish?
I’m relatively new to fine woodworking and I’m building something that needs a color/finish like this piece
Any ideas what kind of wood, stain, etc this might be or what I could use to mimic it? The ...
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120 views
Good wood(s) for making kitchen utensils?
I was asking a question on the cooking SE site about best utensils for cleaning and scraping pans w/o damaging them (particularly nonmental utensils) and realized that I probably have all the tools I ...
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Outdoor wood project for hot dry climate
I want to make a wooden mailbox that will be on a pole at the front of my house. I live in Phoenix Arizona so the temperature ranges where this will be sitting, are from 20F (-7C) to 150F (65C). (...
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Why do I need to use mutliple narrower pieces of wood when I can just use one wide piece?
I'm a beginner woodworker and I'm trying to understand something super basic here - let's say I'm building a bookshelf that's 12 inches deep. Why do I need to glue (after jointing and planing) two ...
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113 views
Can I use softwood for garden furniture?
I have lots of softwood so I am making some garden furniture. I know that this is not ideal in terms of how long it will last, painting and rotting, am I right to be concerned?
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199 views
What type of wood can be used for a jigsaw puzzle?
I'm interested in making a planet puzzle for my toddler, and I'm wondering what woods I can use. The plan is to have a relatively large puzzle (3'x1') with large pieces (~20 including the planets). I ...
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71 views
Is this burl worth anything?
I have an ash tree with a burl around the base of it. The tree is dying and I have heard that a burl should be harvested green. If I were to sell it what should I aim to get for it. See the attached ...
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89 views
Would wood conditioner help keep ink from bleeding on wood?
I'm working on (water-based) ink-jet ink transfers to wood by printing images on freezer paper and then rubbing the ink into the wood. I'm using aspen and poplar for this project.
The issue I'm having ...
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Is Khaya more durable and a better flooring choice (based on quantitative hardness, density, etc.) than “genuine mahogany”?
I am having a hard time placing Khaya/African mahogany. An article states:
Varieties of mahogany include Honduran, South American, Peruvian, Bolivian, Cuban, Big Leaf and True. All of them are ...
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65 views
Wood type and size for a tabletop
I'm watching this video as a guide on how to build my new desk tabletop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USx0Pc6grZ0.
I'm very new to woodworking and have a question about structural integrity:
Are ...
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laminating cherry to pine or ash
I want to make bedposts about 6" square. I want to laminate cherry to the outside and wonder about the core. I thought I would use pine or ash as a core. worried about the expansion of the inner core ...
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142 views
Best wood for large picture frame (cost not a factor)
I need to have some frames made which will have fabric stretched tight around them, so they are not actually picture frames, but what artists call "stretchers". Some of them are large, about 8 feet ...
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1answer
269 views
Is it feasible to use furring strip to create a large frame?
My first woodworking project. I've completed a large puzzle, dimensions ~ 62" x 42", and I'm interested in creating a "frameless" frame to mount it on the wall. This would involve cutting and securing ...
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296 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 ...
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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 ...
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60 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 ...
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242 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 ...
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1answer
3k 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 ...
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115 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 ...
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3answers
210 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 ...
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1answer
261 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 ...
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1answer
316 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 ...
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117 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 ...
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97 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 ...
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1answer
50 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 ...
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59 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 ...
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2answers
7k 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, ...
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2answers
188 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 ...
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1answer
110 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?
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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 ...
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2answers
219 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 ...
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1answer
563 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?
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1answer
348 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 ...
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1answer
218 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 ...
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202 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 ...
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2answers
131 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 ...
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18k 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 ...
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1answer
652 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 ...
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1answer
568 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 ...
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2answers
9k 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.
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1answer
4k 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 ...
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123 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 ...
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2answers
15k 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 ...
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278 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 ...
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136 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 ...
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2answers
346 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 ...
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2answers
137 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 ...
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1k 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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1k 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 ...
