Northern Red Oak

Shop-Tested Techniques

Any exceptions, and special tips pertaining to this issue's featured wood species, appear under headings elsewhere on this page.

• For stability in use, always work wood with a maximum moisture content of 8 percent.
• Feed straight-grained wood into planer knives at a 90° angle. To avoid tearing, feed wood with figured or twisted grain at a slight angle (about 15°), and take shallow cuts of about 1/32".
• For clean cuts, rip with a rip-profile blade that has 24-32 teeth. Smooth cross-cutting requires at least a 40-tooth blade.
• Avoid drilling with twist drills. They tend to wander and cause breakout. Use a backing board under the workpiece.
• Drill pilot holes for screws.
• Rout with sharp, preferably carbide-tipped, bits and take shallow passes to avoid burning.
• Carving hardwoods generally means shallow gouge bevels-15° to 20°-and shallow cuts.