When it comes to furniture, wood is one of the most commonly used materials. Almost any type of wood can be used for this purpose. However, all materials are not created equally; there are a few types of wood that are revered for their durability, beauty, and versatility.

As wood database is quite large, picking the right wood for furniture is critical, as it helps you to determine the exact price of your unit. It will be the deciding factor when you want to restore, resale, or discard a piece of furniture. In this guide, you will learn about different varieties and characteristics of wood. But before we go into the details, let’s take a look at some of the latest and most relevant stats.

In 2017, the total area of timberland in the United States amounted to some 521 million acres.

data showing the total area of timberland in the United States in 2017

China (24%) was the highest consumer of sawn wood in 2016, followed by the United States of America (22%) and Germany (4%).

data showing consumer of sawn wood in 2016

Here is the list of Sawn Wood Exports by some Countries.

1. Types of Wood (The Wood Database)

Hardness is one of the simplest ways to distinguish the wood used for furniture. Contrary to the popular belief, hardwood is not necessarily harder and denser compared to softwood. In botanical terms, hardwood comes from flowering trees while softwood comes from conifers. Both hardwood and softwood are used for everything from structural to decorative purposes.

1) Hardwood

Hardwood comes from Angiosperms such as maple, oak, and walnut. These trees lose their leaves annually. As they grow slowly, hardwood has denser wood fibers (fiber tracheids and libriform fibers).

As hardwood is rare, it is relatively expensive compared to softwood. However, there are exceptions. For example, gum is a hardwood that comes at a price compatible with most types of softwood. Hardwood is durable, comes with close grain, and requires low maintenance. It also comes with low sap content and good fire resistance. Not all types of hardwood are ideal for making furniture.

2) Softwood

Softwood comes from gymnosperms, which are evergreen trees. Softwood includes trees such as pine, spruce, fir, cedar, juniper, redwood, and yew. Evergreen trees tend to be less dense than deciduous trees. Thus, it is easier to cut them down.

Softwood consists of tracheids and wood rays. As vessels are absent, softwood is also called non-porous wood. It comes with loose grain, higher sap content, and lighter color. However, it comes with poor fire resistance. The fine and lightweight structure makes softwood ideal for making furniture.

Hardwood vs Softwood: The difference

This comparison chart will make things clearer:

SR.NO	HARDWOOD	SOFTWOOD
1	Hardwood comes from angiosperm, deciduous trees.	Softwood comes from coniferous, evergreen trees.
2	It comes with rough wood texture.	It comes with fine wood texture.
3	The presence of vessels makes it porous	The absence of vessels makes it non-porous.
4	Tracheid content is around just 5% to 10%.	Tracheid content is around 90% to 95%.
5	The complex anatomical structure makes hardwood denser.	The relatively less complex anatomical structure makes softwood less dense.
6	Not all types of hardwood are ideal for furniture making. Being expensive, they are usually used in high-end furniture manufacturing.	Almost all types of softwood are ideal for furniture making. In fact, about 80% of all timber comes from softwood.

Hardwoods

I. Mahogany

Mahogany is one of the most popular hardwood tropical trees. Mahogany wood is prized for its beauty, durability, and color. It is relatively free of voids and pockets. The color darkens over time. As a result, it is a popular choice for furniture.

Color – Reddish-brown to blood red.
Density – Medium texture and moderately heavy.
Grain – Straight.
Common Uses – High-end furniture, interior millwork, exterior doors, windows, and trim.
Finishing – Sanding sealer.
II. Walnut

II. Walnut

Walnut (black walnut) is one of the most popular woods for furniture in the U.S. The dimensional stability, shock resistance, strength properties, and the rich coloration are the reasons behind its popularity.

Color – Lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white.
Density – Medium texture, fairly lightweight.
Grain – Moderately open grain.
Common Uses – High-end furniture, carving, flooring accents, musical instruments, and gun stocks.
Finishing – Should be finished with oil-based polyurethane

III. Red Oak

Oak trees are native to the northern hemisphere. There are around 600 species of oak, both deciduous and evergreen. Oakwood is remarkably strong, heavy, and durable. It is also resistant to fungal attacks.

Color – Pinkish red to blonde
Density – Very hard and strong.
Grain – Varied and openly porous grain patterns.
Common Uses – Furniture, cabinets, molding, trim, flooring, paneling, turning.
Finishing – Natural finish or oil, but they may vary.

IV. Ash

Ash trees are medium to large trees that grow in most parts of the world. Ashwood feels smooth to the touch. It is durable, tough, and flexible. It has excellent nailing, screw holding, and gluing properties. Hence, carpenters love to work with ash wood. However, it produces a distinct and moderately unpleasant smell while working on it.

Color – Light, creamy-brown.
Density – Tough, flexible.
Grain – Open-grained with occasional brown streaks.
Common Uses – Flooring, millwork, boxes/crates, baseball bats, and other turned objects such as tool handles.
Finishing – Takes all finishes.

V. Birch

Birch trees are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. Though it is closely related to Oakwood, it is much harder. Birch plywood is probably the most widely used as it is hard, stable, affordable, and readily available.

Color – Heartwood is light reddish brown with nearly white sapwood.
Density – Hard, medium weight.
Grain – Usually straight or slightly wavy with small pores.
Common Uses – Plywood, boxes, crates, turned objects, cabinets, seating, millwork, furniture, interior doors.
Finishing – Takes all finishes.

VI. Maple

Maple trees are mostly native to Asia. But they are also found in Europe, North Africa, and North America. The maple wood is sturdy, resistant to splitting, and durable. It can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, making it ideal for kitchen furniture.

Color – The heartwood is typically a darker shade of reddish brown. Sapwood color ranges from nearly white to an off-white cream color. But it can be reddish or golden hue.
Density – Moderately hard but strong.
Grain – Closed and generally straight, but may be wavy.
Common Uses – Everything from furniture and woodenware to flooring and millwork.
Finishing – Takes all finishes.

VII. Cherry

Cherry wood comes from the cherry fruit tree. Cherry wood has rich color, smooth grain, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for furniture manufacturers. It also steams easily, making it ideal for use in curved designs.

Color – The color is light pinkish brown when freshly cut. It darkens to a medium reddish brown over time.
Density – Stiff, strong, medium weight, and moderately hard.
Grain – Closed and straight.
Common Uses – Cabinetry, fine furniture, flooring, interior millwork, veneer, musical instruments, paneling, turned objects, and small specialty wood items.
Finishing – Light to natural finishes are recommended.

VIII. Beech

Beech trees are deciduous and native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. Beechwood is quite durable and resistant to abrasion and shock. Because beech steam-bends as readily as ash, carpenters love to work with this wood. It also provides an elegant and dated look to furniture. However, it is not dishwasher safe.

Color – Pink to reddish brown heartwood, sapwood is creamy to pink.
Density – Very hard and heavy.
Grain – Straight with a fine to medium uniform texture.
Common Uses – Chair legs and backs, crates/pallets, railroad ties, flooring, food containers, toys, musical instruments, and woodenware.
Finishing – Takes all finishes.

IX. Teak

Teaks are tropical hardwood trees native to India, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. Teakwood is one of the hardest and most durable of all natural woods. It is resistant to rotting, sunlight, rain, frost, and snow, making it suitable for outdoor construction and furniture. However, it is expensive and sometimes hard to find.

Color – Heartwood is golden or medium brown and darkens with age.
Density – It is heavy and strong.
Grain – Grain is straight. Occasionally, it can be wavy or interlocked.
Common Uses – Boatbuilding, veneer, furniture, exterior construction, carving, and turnings.
Finishing – Finishes best with wood lacquer.

X. East Indian Rosewood

The rosewood trees grow in tropical environments including countries such as Brazil, India, and Madagascar. Rosewood is durable when dried properly. It comes with white chalky deposits that may dull tools and present problems with finishing. However, it is one of the toughest woods.

Color – Heartwood can vary from golden brown to deep purplish brown, with darker brown streaks.
Density – Hard, heavy and strong.
Grain – Usually narrowly interlocked.
Common Uses – High-end furniture, musical instruments, veneer, and turned wood objects.
Finishing – Finishes well, but requires initial seal coats.

Softwoods

I. Parana Pine

Parana pine trees also called Brazilian pine are native to southern Americas, especially Brazil. Parana pine wood is free from resin ducts, pitch pockets, and pitch streaks. It has a higher shear strength and nail holding capacity compared to other softwoods. However, it tends to warp and distort during drying and compression.

Color – Heartwood is light to medium brown, usually with red streaks. Sapwood is yellow.
Density – Light but hard.
Grain – Straight, uniform.
Common Uses – Framing lumber, interior woodwork, sashes, and door stock, furniture case goods, and veneer.
Finishing – Finishes well, but requires initial seal coats.

II. Eastern White Pine

Eastern white pine trees are widely available in eastern North America. It is one of the most valuable timber species. Eastern pine wood turns golden yellow when exposed to sunlight over time. Once dried properly, it becomes relatively stable. However, it is fairly porous. Thus, it will cup if it absorbs excessive moisture. It is relatively cheap and readily available.

Color – Heartwood is a light brown with a slightly reddish hue. Sapwood is a pale yellow to nearly white.
Density – Soft and very lightweight.
Grain – Straight and tight. However, winter wood and summer wood show a significant difference.
Common Uses – Exterior millwork, furniture, moldings, paneling, carvings, turning, pattern making.
Finishing – Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.

III. Lodgepole Pine

Lodgepole pine trees are commonly found in western North America and Canada. The trees can live to be over three hundred years old. However, they seldom do as they are susceptible to bark beetle attacks. The tangential surface of lumber shows a multitude of dimples, especially when stained. It is, therefore, a favorite for paneling.

Color – Heartwood is light reddish to yellowish brown and sapwood is yellowish white.
Density – It is moderately strong and lightweight. But heavier than eastern white pine.
Grain – Straight
Common Uses – Ideal for construction lumber, plywood, and paneling. It is also used to make doors, windows and furniture, railway ties, mine props, and fence posts.
Finishing – Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.

IV. Pitch pine

Pitch pine trees are also native to eastern North America. They can grow 50 to 60 feet in height with a trunk of 1-3 feet in diameter. The wood is resistant to fire and abrasion. The high resin content also makes it resistant to decay.

Color – Heartwood is reddish brown, sapwood is yellowish white.
Density – Soft and lightweight.
Grain – Straight grained.
Common Uses – Heavy construction, plywood, wood pulp, shipbuilding, fences, railroad ties, and veneers.
Finishing – Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.

V. Scots pine

Scots pine trees are native to northern Europe and Asia. The trees are susceptible to red band needle blight. Scots pine timber is one of the strongest softwoods available. The wood is also resinous. It is less durable, but not susceptible to lyctid borer.

Color – Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood ranges from pale yellow to nearly white.
Density – Reasonably strong and lightweight.
Grain – Straight grained.
Common Uses – Construction, paneling, boxes/crates, poles, flooring, and interior joinery.
Finishing – Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.

VI. White Spruce

All the species of spruce trees are native to northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions. They are also widely distributed throughout the mountain ranges in continental Europe. White spruce wood turns, planes, and molds nicely. It has excellent nailing and screwing abilities. However, it is only slightly resistant to decay.

Color – Heartwood is creamy white to light yellow or to red-brown. It is not distinct from sapwood.
Density – Moderately hard.
Grain – Fine and consistently straight.
Common Uses – Pulpwood, construction lumber, joinery, millwork, and crates.
Finishing – Finishes nicely, but when using a sanding sealer, gel stain or toner is recommended.

VII. Red Cedar

Red cedar is a common name for various varieties of cedars growing in the eastern United States region. The red cedar wood (also known as aromatic red cedar) is remarkably resistant to both decay and insect attack. It is highly aromatic and planes and shapes easily. However, it only has moderate screw and nail holding properties.

Color – Heartwood tends to be red or violet-brown. Sapwood is pale yellow or whitish.
Density – Hard texture and lightweight.
Grain – Straight grain with many knots.
Common Uses – Fence posts, closet and chest linings, carvings, outdoor furniture, birdhouses, pencils, closet interiors, bows, and small wooden specialty items.
Finishing – Finishes well, but oil finishes are recommended.

VIII. Fir

Fir trees are located throughout most of the North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They usually grow in the mountains. It comes with low shrinkage and reasonable stability. It is also strong and elastic.

Color – Sapwood is yellowish to reddish-white. Fresh heartwood can be yellowish-brown to reddish-yellow in color. However, it darkens quickly to a brown-red to dark-red.
Density – Medium-weight and fairly hard.
Grain – Straight and plain, sometimes wavy.
Common Uses – Veneer, plywood, and construction lumber.
Finishing – Finishes nicely. However, you need to take into account the fairly high sap content, which may require a coat of paint.

IX. Larch

Larch trees are native to the cooler temperate northern hemisphere. Larch wood is moderate-to-poorly resistant to fungal attack. However, it is durable and very resistant to rot and pests due to the presence of natural resins. Although knots are common, they are usually small.

Color – Heartwood is yellow to medium reddish brown. Sapwood is almost white.
Density – Very good strength and medium weight.
Grain – Straight or spiraled with an oily texture.
Common Uses – Veneer, utility poles, fence posts, flooring, boatbuilding, exterior and interior joinery, and construction lumber.
Finishing – Should be sealed before finishing to prevent bleed-through.

X. Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock species are native to the west coast of North America, growing in the coastal rainforests of Alaska and British Columbia. The wood has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It can turn, plane, and shape smoothly. It has a moderate nail and screw holding ability. It also has a reputation for termite resistance. However, outdoor uses require good finishing for avoiding quick decay.

Color – Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood is slightly lighter in color.
Density – Soft and light.
Grain – Straight, with a coarse and uneven texture.
Common Uses – Boxes, pallets, crates, plywood, framing, cabinets, joinery, and millwork.
Finishing – Responds best to clear finishes.

XI. Yew (European Yew)

Yew is native to western, central, and southern Europe. The heartwood of the yew tree is very tough and durable. The best timber, however, comes from trees growing in mountainous areas. It is also highly elastic. Thus, it can readily bend, spring back, and remain durable. It is also resistant to most insect attacks.

Color – Heartwood is orangish brown to darker brown or purplish hue. Sapwood is usually a thin band of pale yellow or tan color.
Density – Soft, flexible, and moderately heavy.
Grain – Straight, with a fine uniform texture.
Common Uses – Bows (archery), veneer, cabinet making, furniture, carvings, and musical instruments.
Finishing – Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.

2. Qualities of Wood

Timber is the type of wooden material used for construction and furniture. Best quality timber comes from matured trees. However, to fulfill its function, timber needs to have certain qualities. Additionally, it needs to be devoid of any defects or imperfections.

1) Appearance:

Freshly cut timber gives off a sweet smell and shining appearance, which are signs of high quality.

2) Color:

It should also have a dark color. Light color usually indicates less strength.

3) Durability:

High-quality timber is remarkably durable. It should be resistant to climatic changes, pests such as termites, and fungal attacks. There are 5 classes of natural durability to resistance against wood-destroying fungi.

Class 1 – Very Durable
Class 2 – Durable
Class 3 – Moderately Durable
Class 4 – Slightly Durable
Class 5 – Not Durable

4) Elasticity:

Elasticity allows the wood to regain its original shape with maximum accuracy. This property plays a crucial role if the wood is to be used to make sports equipment.

5) Fibers:

The fibers should be straight, compact, and firm. Wood with twisted fibers possesses little strength, as opposed to wood with straight fibers.

6) Fire Resistance:

The wood should be resistant to fire. Usually, the denser the wood, the higher the resistance.

7) Hardness:

It should withstand deterioration due to mechanical wear and tear and physical abrasion.

8) Shape:

High-quality timber will always retain its shape and structural integrity during the seasoning or conversion process.

9) Sound:

When struck, a high-quality timber produces a clear ringing. A dull heavy sound, on the other hand, is an indication of internal decay.

10) Strength:

It should be able to withstand structural loads, especially in construction.

11) Toughness:

It should be able to endure shocks and vibrations. Usually, woods with narrow annual rings are the toughest.

12) Water Permeability:

Timber should have low water permeability. If the wood has higher permeability, it will readily absorb moisture, leading to rapid decay.

13) Weight:

Usually, heavy timbers are the toughest and hardest.

14) Workability:

The timber needs to be easily workable. Woods with a high resin content often tend to be less workable as they clog the teeth of the saw.

3. Janka Wood Hardness Scale

A universal wood hardness scale was developed to determine the relative hardness of timber. The Janka hardness scale measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444” steel ball into the wood to the half of its diameter. You can use the Janka scale to determine the relative hardness of both domestic and exotic wood samples (usually 1” or 2” thickness).

This scale is one of the best ways to measure the ability of the timber to withstand wear and tear. Usually, the higher the Janka scale rating, the harder the wood. The steel ball leaves a hemispherical indentation with an area of 200 mm2 in the wood sample. Different units are used to express the wood hardness scale rating in different countries. In the United States, the measurement is in pounds-force, abbreviated as lbf.

WOOD	JANKA HARDNESS (IN LBF)
Ebony	3220
Ease Indian Rosewood	2440
Brazilian Cherry /Jatoba	2350
Mesquite	2345
Santos Mahogany	2200
Cameron	1940
Purpleheart	1860
Tigerwood	1850
Merbau	1840
Hickory and Pecan	1820
Rosewood	1780
African Padauk	1725
Locust	1700
Wenge	1630
Red Pine	1630
Zebrawood	1575
True Pine	1570
Sweet Birch	1470
Hard / Sugar Maple	1450
Kentucky Coffee Tree	1390
Natural Bamboo	1380
Australian Cypress	1375
White Oak	1360
White Ash	1320
American Beech	1300
Red Oak	1290
Caribbean Heart Pine	1280
Yellow Birch	1260
Yellow Heart Pine	1225
Carbonized Bamboo	1180
Cocobolo	1136
American Walnut	1010
Teak	1000
American Cherry	950
Red Maple	950
Paper Birch	910
Cedar	900
Southern Yellow Pine (Longleaf)	870
American Red Elm	860
Lacewood	840
Mahogany	800
Cumaru	790
Sycamore	770
S.Yellow Pine (Loblolly & Shortleaf)	690
Douglas Fir	660
Sassafras	630
Pitch Pine	620
Larch	590
Cypress, Southern	570
Chestnut	540
Poplar	540
Hemlock	500
Lodgepole Pine	480
White Spruce	480
White Pine	420
Basswood	410
Eastern White Pine	380

4. Wood Processing

Wood has played a foundational role in the construction industry for centuries. However, timber cannot simply be pulled out of the forest and utilized. It must first undergo a transformation phase known as wood processing. The concept of wood processing covers several steps to turn raw wood into usable material.

Once the selected trees in the designated forest area are cut down or felled, they are transported to a sawmill where the wood processing begins. The various stages involved in lumber processing often remain the same.

1) Debarking

The first step involved in timber processing is getting rid of the bark. At this stage, sharp-toothed grinding wheels or a jet of high-pressure water are used to remove the outer bark of the log.

2) Bucking

The debarked log is then cut into predetermined lengths via a process called bucking.

3) Sawing

Sawing is the most critical part of lumber processing. Usually, a headrig saw is used to cut the log into planks. An optical sensor measures the length and the thickness of each and also identifies visible defects. It also helps to determine the optimal cutting pattern to get the maximum number of planks from each log. Smaller logs (diameter less than 2-3 ft) are cut using a series of bandsaws instead of a headrig saw.

4) Resawing

During resawing, the large planks are cut into the required widths using bandsaws. The outside edges are also trimmed square.

5) Drying

The drying or seasoning of planks is carried out to produce the timber that is durable and resists decay. The wood is either air dried or Kiln-dried. Kiln-dried wood usually has a lower moisture content, compared to the air-dried one.

6) Planing

Planers trim the dried wood planks to smoothen all the surfaces and round the edges.

7) Quality Check

Despite taking necessary precautions, the finished products may still have some defects. During the quality check, the final step in the lumber processing, the planks are graded according to number and location of these defects.

This procedure may vary a bit based on the desired outcome. Prior to removing any timber from the forest, there should always be a detailed plan in place for how the wood will be processed and used. In regards to wooden furniture, however, wood processing is only the beginning of the transformation.

5. Wood for Furniture

Once the wood is processed, there are several vigorous procedures it must undergo to be converted into furniture. Wood is simply a material waiting to be altered and crafted into a final product. Furniture is the end goal in which the wood has been manipulated and shaped into something that can be proudly displayed. Here are the steps involved in this process.

Importance of Wood in Furniture

Humans have used wood for making furniture for thousands of years. Despite several technical breakthroughs, mankind has not yet found anything as versatile as wood for making furniture. It is also remarkably resilient and requires little maintenance.

Unlike most other materials, such as leather hides, for instance, wood can have multiple lifetimes through refinishing. Thus, wooden furniture offers excellent value for money. It also fosters a sense of natural beauty, looks, and feel. It’s no wonder why wood has remained a popular choice for furniture.

Before we move ahead lets a look some of the interesting numbers.

In 2016, furniture and home furnishings store sales amounted to about 111.47 billion U.S. dollars.

The booming e-commerce industry has also had an influence on the sales of furniture.

Furniture-and-home-furnishings-sales-as-percentage-of-total-retail-e-commerce-sales-in-the-United-States-from-2016-to-2022

Average annual expenditure on furniture per consumer unit in the United States from 2007 to 2016.

Here is the average price paid by households for selected furniture items in 2016, by generations.

Avg-Price-paid-by-house-holds-for-selected-furniture-items-in-2016-by-generations

Whether you are using smart furniture, going for a modern look, or a Victorian decor, wood plays a critical role in furniture making. For example, a recliner, irrespective of how contemporary it seems, will always have a wooden frame.

Only wood can withstand the kind of motion or weight shifting a recliner experiences. Plus, using high-end wood for exposed areas such as arms, back, and feet, renders a classic look. The bottom line is people will continue to use the best wood for furniture as long as it is available.

6. From Wood to Furniture

Although you can use different types of wood for furniture, it will still need to go through a series of processes before it turns into a beautiful piece. The furniture making process can change depending on the desired end-product. But, a few steps are universal.

Splicing and Cutting

First, the woodworking lumber needs to be cut and spliced into desired parts of a product. Carpenters use a variety of tools for this purpose. Only the best wood for furniture is cut and spliced.

Molding

Spliced and cut timber is then molded to achieve the desired shapes and sizes.

Planing and Drilling

Sometimes the wood needs to be drilled using either handheld or machine drills. Care is taken not to split the wood while drilling to avoid damage and wastage. The pieces are then sent to a planning machine to get a smooth surface without a line saw.

Sanding

Before the assembly, all the components are carefully sanded to round sharp edges and smoothen out surfaces.

Assembling

At this stage, each component of the furniture is assembled to create the desired end-product. Joints are glued together with powerful adhesive.

Finishing

The purpose of finishing is to bring out the aesthetic features of the wood. Usually, several coats of wax, shellac, drying oil, lacquer, varnish, or paint are applied using machines. This can also be done by hand.

Packing

The end product is finally packed and shipped to the desired destination.

7. What Type of Wood is Best for Your Furniture?

Almost any type of wood can be used to make furniture. However, the quality and market value of the unit will depend on the different types of wood, as well as the uses and features. But, which is the best wood for furniture?

The answer will depend on a variety of factors including cost, durability, color, your space, what you want to build, etc. It is also essential to know where to buy wood for furniture making that suits your budget and needs.

I. Pine

Pine is inexpensive, lightweight, and readily workable. It is often used to make rustic furniture pieces. However, it is prone to scratches and dents.

II. White Oak

White oak is beautiful, heavy, durable, and suitable for cabinetry and kitchen furniture. It has a distinctive look when finished. It is also resistant towarping.

III. Maple

Being one of the hardest, Maplewood is suitable for heavy-use items such as dressers and kitchen cabinets. It can be stained to mimic an expensive wood.

IV. Walnut

Walnut is extremely beautiful. It can withstand very intricate carving. That’s why it is often used to make headboards, ornate antique-style dining tables, and mantels. Oil finish is more than enough to bring out its natural color.

V. Cherry

Cherrywood is probably the best wood for indoor pieces of furniture, such as carved chairs and tables. It is highly durable and resistant to decay and abrasions. It is an all-around great wood. However, it is expensive.

8. Woodworking Tools

Buying readymade furniture is fun, but making your own (DIY furniture) is even more fun. So, what do you need to build your own study table? Besides honing your carpentry skills, you will need to know about basic woodworking tools. What types of tools should you invest in? From simple hand tools to power tools, there is a wide range of carpenter gadgets out there. Some will see more use than others. Let’s discuss some of the essentials.

1) Block Plane

It is one of the compact and versatile carpenter tools that go back to Roman times. It can be used to tackle end grain cuts, level corner joints, smoothen away the machine marks and easing of sharp edges on furniture components.

2) Chisel and Mallet

A chisel is also a hand tool often used for cutting or carving wood. There is a wide range of woodworking chisels meant for carving, framing, cornering, paring, skewing, mortising, bevel edging, and butting. Chisels are almost always used with a wooden mallet.

3) Circular Saw

A circular saw is a power-saw. The circular blade with sharp teeth will make smoother cuts. It is ideal for cutting all types of plywood, sheetrock, and framing materials. However, it only makes straight lines and miter cuts.

4) Claw Hammer

In the woodwork, a claw hammer is often used to drive nails and fit parts. The claw is used for pulling out nails. The most commonly purchased claw hammer is the 20 oz.

5) Hand Saw

Hand saws are often used to make the cuts that power saws can’t. There is a wide variety of hand saws including back saw, bow saw, crosscut saw, hacksaw, Japanese saw, pruning saw, and keyhole saw. A hand saw can make circular cuts if needed.

6) Jigsaw

A jigsaw is used for cutting smooth curves and intricate shapes. It works much faster than a hacksaw or handsaw, saving you a lot of time and energy. The blade operates in an up-and-down motion at high speeds.

7) Jointer

The jointer smooths the wooden surfaces that won’t go through your surface planer. It can also flatten edges. Thus, it helps you to salvage bowed or warped timber, which is cheap to buy.

8) Power Drill

A power drill is a must-have on your woodworking tools list. Corded drills are less expensive and can be more versatile than a cordless drill. Most power drills come with variable speeds.

9) Random Orbital Sander

This tool is the quickest and easiest way to sand wood. The disk moves in random orbits, resulting in ultra-smooth sanding. The design also allows you to sand in any direction.

10) Router and Router Bits

You will need a router and appropriate router bits to hollow out an area or shape the edges of the wood. You can either buy a hand router or a power router according to your budget and woodwork requirements.

11) Screwdrivers

When doing any sort of woodworking, you will need many different types of screwdrivers. These categories include ratcheting, cabinet, star drivers, Phillips head, flathead, and small and medium slot screwdrivers. Make sure they are intended for heavy-duty woodworking.

12) Smoothing Plane

The smoothing plane is a hand-tool that dates back hundreds of years, like the block plane. A well-tuned smoothing plane can impart a glasslike finish to your woodwork.

13) Square and Tape Measure

Measuring is a fundamental part of woodworking. You will need a measuring tape, framing square, try square, combination square, sliding T-bevel, and a ruler. Don’t forget to buy marking pencils, a knife, and an awl as well.

14) Thickness Planer

A thickness planer allows you to give a wooden board consistent thickness and smooth both surfaces. Though expensive compared to hand tools, a thickness planer is worth the cost, as it produces a flat surface in a single pass.

15) Workbench

You’ll need a workbench to make woodworking tasks easier. It should be sturdy and heavy enough to remain still while you are working on the wood. There are many varieties of workbenches.

9. How to Identify the Ideal Wood for Furniture

The forests of the world are chock full of different wood types. There is a huge array of materials out there that can be used to create practical, durable, and exotic furniture. Each has its own unique qualities and purpose in the construction process. However, some are more ideal than others.

Unfortunately, timber suppliers do not always label the materials they carry. That being said, you should have a good idea for how to properly identify the right woods. The extensive range of treatments can make it challenging to distinguish certain types or species.

When selecting wood for furniture, here are some tips to get you started.

1) Make Sure It Is Solid Wood

First, look at the edges of the wood piece to see the end grain. If you see growth rings that match up with the direction of the grain along the face of the wood, you are looking at actual solid wood.
If the same pattern repeats itself on all sides of the board, it may be a veneer.
Sometimes, a piece of particle board, or MDF, is covered with a thin layer of plastic, stained, or painted to make it look like the real wood. In such case, you can use a planer or sander to reveal the real nature of the wood.
At times a solid looking wood may not be even fully solid and made up of wood chips.

2) Check the End Grain Color

The end grain color plays a crucial role in wood identification. Once again, you can sand or plane the ends to find out if the color is natural or artificial.
However, you should remember that wood tends to darken with age. Even inner wood takes on a patina as it ages.

3) Examine the End Grain Pattern

End grain pattern is another reliable way to identify wood.
Hardwood usually has an open pore structure while softwood has a smooth texture with no grain indentations.
Some woods also show distinct grain patterns when quarter sawn or plain sawn. Some of the woods also have characteristic grain patterns such as straight, knotty, or interlocking. So, you need to ask yourself the following.

Is the grain texture open or porous?
Is it quarter sawn or plain sawn?
What is the pattern? Is it curly, knotty, or interlocking?

4) Look at the Hardness and Weight

You can use your hands to get a feel for the weight and hardness of the wood sample. Simply scratching the wood can give you an idea for how hard it is.
Compare these qualities with the weight and hardness of other species in the wood database. Heavy woods often tend to be hard.
Alternatively, you can measure the length, width, and thickness of the wood to determine its density. Be sure to compare it to others in the database.

5) Find out the Origin of the Wood

The more you know about the original source, the easier it becomes to identify different woods. For instance, if the wood was salvaged from a boat, it is more likely to be free of knots. This scenario would typically involve woods like ash, cedar, or oak.
Knowing how large the timber is can also help identify wood, as some trees tend to have small barks.
Similarly, knowing the intended use of the wood can also help to identify it. For example, swamp ash is often used to make guitar bodies.
Knowing how old the wood is can also help in this process. Alder was used extensively in the 1950s and 1960s to make guitars.

6) Search for a Peculiar Characteristic

In addition to the above qualities, some of the woods possess distinct characteristics like odor and fluorescence. You can use these properties for wood identification.
Woodworkers have also developed chemical tests for identifying wood. Usually, a water-soluble reagent is used to distinguish different species.

7) Which Tools Will You Need for Wood Identification?

For wood identification, you will need a measuring tape, a small block planer or a very sharp knife, a magnifier, and of course, some practice and experience.

Parting Words

Whether you are a woodworking enthusiast or just looking for wooden furniture, knowing about the different types of woods and their characteristics can help you make more informed decisions. Hopefully, this guide will help you answer questions such as “Which is the best wood for flooring?” or “Which is the most expensive wood?” or “Which woodworking tools do I need for DIY furniture projects?”

If you still have questions, feel free to share them with us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Sunday, 28 July 2019

Saturday, 6 April 2019