Useful Tips on Furniture Building
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Furniture Building
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Woodworkers depended on wood sources close to the regions they resided, until transportation, trade, and the demand for exotic woods, which grew in other regions, was possible. |
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Wood is usually sorted into three groups: softwoods from coniferous trees which stay green year round, hardwoods from broad-leaved trees which shed their leaves, and man-made materials such as MDF and plywood. Softwoods are not always softer than hardwoods, and hardwoods and not always harder than softwoods. |
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Softwoods typically grow in cooler regions, and are more susceptible to pests and disease, lighter in weight and less durable. Softwoods are often used for framing, trim and finish work. |
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"Woods can be used green to facilitate bending."
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Hardwoods are either temperate hardwoods found between the tropics and poles, and tropical hardwoods which are found within the equatorial belt, including Africa, Asia, and South America. Hardwoods grow slower, have a greater density, and are generally heavier than softwoods. Hardwoods in United States are typically more expensive than softwoods. Hardwoods are used for many projects and are durable for outdoor use. |
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Furniture is usually made from solid stock from hardwoods because of their strength and resistance to warping. Hardwoods usually have a better grain pattern and take stains more evenly. And Hardwoods are easier and cleaner leaving less mess and residue on tools than softwoods. |
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There are a few softwoods that are suited for furniture making, and because of their availability have been used throughout history in regions where they grow. And sometimes materials are used while green to accommodate the manipulation of the material such as the bending of the wood. |
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Common Softwoods for Furniture
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Ponderosa pine, southern yellow pine, and white pine are commonly used for making furniture. Ponderosa pine and white pine are often used for indoor projects and southern yellow pine is recommended for outdoor projects because of its durability. |
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Cedar is a strong and aromatic softwood that persists well under outdoor conditions. Western red cedar can withstand standing water and resist rotting which makes the wood ideal for outdoor furniture and building materials like wood shingles. |
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Douglas fir is a straight wood with a pronounced red-brown grain that is inexpensive and common. However, fir does not take stain well and is often painted. |
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Common Hardwoods for Furniture
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Ash is an easy wood to work and takes stain well, but is visually appealing with a clear, natural finish. Ash; however, is usually harder to find in many regions. |
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Beech, particularly European beech is commonly used for furniture projects, drum shells, and piano blocks. |
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Birch wood, whether yellow birch or white birch are stable woods that are prone to blotching when stained; therefore, are better painted than stained. Birch is a common, inexpensive wood. |
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"Mahogany is one of the better furniture woods; known for its deep reddish-brown tint, it is a highly sought, steep priced and typically grown in unsustainable forests."
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Cherry wood is highly demanded because of its beautiful reddish-brown color and easy of staining and finishing. Cherry wood is commonly used for furniture, is resistance to wear, but more expensive than most other woods. |
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Maple is a strong, sturdy, and durable wood that is commonly used for furniture because of its grain pattern and water resistance. Maple wood stains and paints well. |
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Oak, red and white oak is easy to work and is quite strong. Oak is used for floors, baseballs bats and other projects that require durability and strength. Furniture makers prefer to work with white oak because of its appeal and water resistance. |
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Thoughts to Consider.
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An important consideration is the ease at which the wood can be worked. How easy it can be worked by hand and with tools, the quality of the grain, and how well it can be glued and finished. Better woods are easier to cut, manipulate, and properly glue durable joints. Better woods will keep from splitting when nailed or screwed.
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