Wood Species Guide
Here you'll find all you need to know about choosing and using various species of wood. Learn about wood properties and working characteristics so you can build better projects.
Black walnut trees commonly reach heights of 100' or more with 3'-diameter trunks, yielding copious amounts of consistent, straight grain—a lumberman's dream.
To some woodworkers, cedar ranks high as the wood of choice for building decks. Others rely on it for lining closets or cigar humidors.
The same wood you used in shop class lends a nice look to country-style furniture.
Is laminated bamboo available in lumber form from wood suppliers, and in what thicknesses and widths? Also, can you tell me more about its properties and recommended finishes?
I was given some maple boards, but how can I tell if they are hard or soft maple? Also, what’s the best finish for each?
What is “Texas ebony,” and where can I get some?
While wood shopping this weekend, my wife picked up a piece of wood she wanted me to use to make a box. It’s marked “viraro,” but I can’t find any information on it. Can you help?
I have been reading a lot lately about problems with purpleheart turning brown. Will any finishing technique prevent it from browning?
The July 2008 issue of WOOD® magazine shows leopardwood and lacewood. They look similar to me, and I’ve seen each labeled both ways in hardwood stores. If they are different species?
Tip of the Day
Split the tip for perfectly parallel bandsaw cutlines
I loved the Top Shop Tip by Warren Perkins in WOOD® magazine issue 187 (November 2008) where he... read more