The modern craftsman has a wide selection of wood from various tree species to work with. Proper knowledge of wood is essential to take your woodworking venture to the next level, whether you are using modern power tools or conventional tools.
Different types of wood are suited for different purposes. Wood is expensive and should be used appropriately to avoid unnecessary losses. Some of the most common wood varieties for woodworking are as follows:
Table of Contents
Pine
Pine is a common softwood available from various pine tree species that vary in strength and density. As a result, pines are categorized into two main groups; soft pines and hard pines.
Soft Pines
These trees produce wood with a low density and an even grain. Examples of soft pines include the Eastern White Pine and the Western White Pine.
Hard Pines
Hard pines produce dense wood with an uneven grain and comprise the vast majority of pine trees. Some hard pine examples include the Austrian Pine and the Red Pine.
Working with Pine
The best approach is to use your pinewood as quickly as possible to avoid warping. If you wish to work the wood in the future, look for a high-quality stock and stack the boards to create stability and reduce warping. To get the best out of pine:
- Avoid the build-up of tar- Pinewood heavily stains your blades with pine tar. Use a liquid detergent to keep your blades free from the grime for efficiency.
- Sharpen your tools-Use sharp blades to achieve clean cuts Blunt blades will cause splintering and wastage. Consider adding a CNC machine for precision and quality sawing.
- Use an even working surface- Pinewood is soft and prone to dents. An even soft surface will save you the trouble of fixing dents on your finished products.
Uses: cabinets, panels, frames, shelves, construction lumber, doors
Oak
Oakwood is a versatile hardwood, revered for the production of sturdy, durable and beautiful pieces. Popular Oak species include the English Oak, American White Oak and Red Oak.
English Oak
The English Oak is famous for historical buildings like churches and manor houses in England that still stand out.
White Oak
This variety is prized for its exceptional water-repelling ability and is therefore suited to the outdoors
Red Oak
Red Oak wood is revered for its color appeal and beautiful finish.
Getting Excellent Results with Oak
Here a few tips to get the best out of your oak wood:
- Use sharp blades-Oak wood is tough and requires sharp blades for effective, clean sawing.
- Protect your crafts- Sine red oak is not a water-repelling wood, protect surfaces made of this wood with a sealant to avoid water damage.
Uses: flooring, cabinets, barrels, shelving, quality furniture
Teak
Teak wood is expensive owing to its superior qualities like resistance to rot, termites, water and versatility. Some popular Teak wood species include the Malaysian Teak, South American Teak and the Burma Teak.
Working with teak:
Use a solvent: The teak wood surface is rich in natural oils. Wipe with a solvent to reduce the grease before working.
Use carbide blades-Teak contains high levels of silica that will dull regular blades.
Uses: ship and boat parts, outdoor furniture, carvings, veneer
