Lumber and Plywood at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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Qualities of Ironwood (Also Called "Hornbeam")

"American Hornbeam" and "Hop Hornbeam" are hard and strong, especially well suited for tool handles and timber-frame pegs. May 14, 2006

Sawing utility poles

Is it safe and practical? Advice from those who've done it. August 25, 2003

Toxicity of Black Locust

The leaves, bark and wood of Black Locust are poisonous to both people and livestock. March 31, 2008

- Wood species

Information on tree species and their uses. March 20, 2001

Drying lumber - selecting the best method

Is a solar kiln the best choice for this startup sawmill? December 17, 2003

Hardwood Supply and Quality

The U.S. has large and growing stocks of high-quality hardwood timber, and a limitless supply of ungraded rhetoric. August 8, 2006

Flattening boards with a planer

Methods for planing warped wood flat. September 25, 2002

Chip-free dovetailing in plywood

Building dovetailed plywood drawers without chipping; European and American approaches. April 24, 2002

Processing trees to lumber -- for the hobbyist

A primer on sawing and drying lumber for projects at home. March 13, 2001

Ordering by the Board Foot

Clearing up the confusion about lumber quantities and unit conversions. April 14, 2005

What Does "Old Growth" Mean

The sawing and drying forum discusses what "old growth" means when used to describe lumber, and what qualities "old growth" wood may or may not have. May 14, 2006

Distinguishing Honey Locust and Black Locust

They're both beautiful and valuable woods — here's an extended discussion on how to tell them apart. May 11, 2005

Dealing with Bowed or Warped Plywood

Warped, bowed, cupped, twisted — these days, plywood seem to lie every which way but flat. Here's a long and somewhat technical discussion of what makes plywood deform, and what can be done about it. December 28, 2005

Kiln drying for higher profit

Expanding a molding business to include kiln drying poplar. November 18, 2002

Quality of Cherry Lumber

Cabinetmakers discuss cherry quality, grading standards, and the market. August 17, 2006

Converting Board Foot Pricing to Lineal Foot Pricing

Let's run through the arithmetic one more time. April 20, 2006

Log scale and overrun

Different types of scales, formulas and methods of figuring overrun. January 28, 2002

Good species for fence posts

Rot resistance of red oak, white oak and more. February 6, 2002

Hiring a timber consultant

When selling your woodlot, who should you enlist for help with all the choices you'll need to make? August 12, 2001

What is value added?

Forum participants give technical and personal definitions. April 2, 2002

Problems with Chinese Plywood

Cabinetmakers report widespread quality and performance problems with hardwood plywood imported from China. May 22, 2007

Home DH for drying lumber

Home dehumidifiers versus bought kilns for drying wood. September 2, 2002

Cutting crotch wood

Details on the right equipment and techniques to get the job done. March 4, 2002

Aging yellow cedar

Attaining the look of naturally aged yellow cedar. September 2, 2002

Moisture content oven tests

Microwave ovens versus drying ovens for MC testing. October 30, 2002

Maximizing Lumber from a Log

Can quartersawing produce as much usable lumber as one company claims? January 29, 2004

Setting up a milling business

How much land, what equipment is needed, and in what order, for a startup sawmill. April 24, 2002

"Cherry-Picking" Lumber

Is it right to select the pieces you like from a stack of boards and leave the rest for the next person? July 24, 2006

Thickness of Rough Lumber

Identifying and sawing for specific dimensions. May 19, 2004

CNC feed rates for melamine

Concerns on purchasing a CNC router and software for cutting melamine. August 12, 2001

Certified construction lumber

Laws governing the lumber used in building. December 17, 2002

Ripping hardwood straight

Why do ripped pieces come out banana-shaped? July 9, 2002

Plywood Quality Issues

An in-depth discussion of quality concerns regarding hardwood plywood, with details on the way various plywood flavors are put together. December 30, 2005

Budget Alternatives to Teak

A search for "poor man's Teak" evolves into a discussion of customers, their tastes and motivations. December 30, 2005

Conditioning: Relieving those stresses

Try these solutions to a stress-free wood inventory. November 29, 2002

Steambending

How much time to allow based on thickness and proposed radius of wood. September 23, 2003

Static charge on wood

Troubleshooting and resolving static problems on freshly planed boards. October 9, 2002

Green barn siding

Making board and batten siding from freshly sawn lumber. June 19, 2003

Red Alder Pros and Cons -- Pricing, Availability, Usefulness

Pros discuss the cost, availability, and characteristics of Red Alder solid stock and sheet goods. February 25, 2005

Regaining MC in overdry wood

Is machinability lost when lumber has been overdried, then had moisture put back in? May 17, 2003

Flatsawn to Quartersawn

Cutting both types of lumber. December 17, 2003

Alternatives to Honduran Mahogany

A discussion of the qualities of some of the woods used as substitutes for Mahogany, plus an attempt to clear up some of the confusion around the much-misused "Mahogany" label. February 5, 2007

"Water Oak" Versus "Pin Oak"

Locally common names for Oak varieties can cause confusion. Here's a discussion of some Oak tree varieties and some information on their characteristics. February 9, 2008

Cutting "shake" out of logs

What is shake, why does it occur, and how can it be removed? April 29, 2003

Laminating Curved Beams

Woodworkers approach the puzzle of creating structural porch beams that curve in the horizontal dimension. April 24, 2006

Hard vs. soft maple

Can these maples be mixed, and what are the differences? January 21, 2002

How to move logs

Creative and practical ways of loading, unloading and transporting logs. Illustrated. (Sawing and Drying Forum) March 23, 2003

Yield Loss in Ripped-One-Edge Lumber

A woodworker who has ordered a delivery of random length and width wood ripped on one edge and surfaced on two sides wants to know how much wood he can really expect to get. April 27, 2007

Pecan vs. Hickory

A wealth of information on these two very closely related wood species. July 5, 2006

Cherry Color After Aging

When cherry shelves are constructed years apart, how dramatic will the color difference be? May 8, 2004

Straight line rip lumber

Is the added time and waste worth what customers will pay? September 23, 2003

"China Cedar" -- What Is It?

"China Cedar" is a separate species grown in the Far East. However, Cedar logs from America do get sent to China and come back to North America as lumber, complicating the picture. December 30, 2007

Plain Sliced Alder Plywood Characteristics

Cabinetmakers advise on what to expect from sliced-veneer Alder plywood. June 3, 2007

Estimating board footage

Most accurate and most accepted methods of figuring BF for lumber. December 17, 2002

Distinguishing White Oak from Red

Methods for discerning different oak types. May 19, 2004

How to quartersaw

Sawyers share details and pictures of their preferred methods. May 17, 2003

Constructing with poplar

Is poplar appropriate for building? February 6, 2002

Lumber "Shrinkage Fee"

Upcharges to compensate for lumber shrinkage are improper, say the experts (and the rules). August 29, 2005

Showing Off Some Curly Maple

A bandmill operator shares photos of a huge curly maple log, before and after sawing. December 15, 2005

Choosing Wood for an Exterior Door

What species will provide good looks and durability? Craftsman trade opinions. July 2, 2005

10,000-Year-Old Mystery Wood

Sawmillers try to guess the species of wood recovered after thousands of years buried in the mud. November 13, 2005

Is storing cants feasible?

Can large cants be stored until an order for custom-cut lumber is received? February 19, 2002

"Light" and "dark" veneer bands

Avoiding the "striped" look in veneered ply. November 18, 2002

Sawing to Prevent Tapered Logs

Making the proper cuts in the right order, to produce flat, quality lumber. May 11, 2005

Powderpost beetles in hardwood beams

Is there any way to get rid of powderpost beetles riddling oak beams with holes? November 7, 2001

Moisture variance in red oak

Basic drying procedures and a discussion of bacteria in red oak. February 13, 2001

Bacterial Action in Wood

Temperature and the availability of oxygen help determine which sort of bacteria can thrive in wood, and therefore how the infected wood might smell. January 27, 2007

Sapwood and heartwood

Questions on sapwood and heartwood of pecan and hickory, and how-to instructions for quartersawing. April 4, 2001

Plywood Quality Issues Revisited

Cabinetmakers discuss trends in plywood quality. September 7, 2006

Sawing and drying mesquite

Dealing with many-trunked mesquite trees. February 6, 2002

Plywood and Lumber for Boat-Building

Thoughts on suitable wooden boat construction materials, and where to get them. May 23, 2007

Working with Ash

Beautiful and easy to work, ash also ages well. Fans discuss ash and its virtues in this thread from the Architectural Woodworking forum. November 9, 2005

Cottonwood for horse stalls

Is this a suitable species? September 25, 2002

Ways to Estimate or Calculate Board Feet

Rule of thumb gets you pretty close, and even methods involving careful measurement are susceptible to basic arithmetic errors. January 11, 2007

Clear face in a log

Clear face, cat face and trim, defined. March 4, 2002

Obtaining a Supplier Response -- by Writing an Effective Product Specification

Buying and Selling Wood on the Internet: Part 2 March 14, 2002

How to Tell Maple Plywood from Birch

Made into plywood, the two species look similar. Here are tips on telling them apart. January 11, 2007

Defining Quarter-Sawn and Rift-Sawn

There are both formal and informal definitions for "quarter-sawn" lumber. Here, cabinetmakers and the Wood Doctor discuss the fine points. July 5, 2006

Dropping your lumber prices -- and why not

Why do customers expect a local sawmill's prices to be lower than the lumberyard's? February 13, 2001

Chip-free cutting of composite panels

Consider these factors when striving for chip-free cuts in composite panels. February 13, 2001

Powderpost Beetles in Furniture

Pinholes and powder are a dead giveaway of a beetle infestation. Here are some facts about the bugs and how to handle them. February 19, 2006

Characteristics of Utile Wood

Expert info on that exotic African wood known as Utile. October 23, 2007

Tinting body filler -- it can be done!

Searching out an epoxy filler that can be color-mixed, for filling large knot holes. March 20, 2001

Identifying an Oak Log

but what does it smell like? February 14, 2006

Quality Issues with Rift Sawn White Oak

Sawing methods affect the presence of visible rays or fleck — but how much fleck is acceptable? March 4, 2006

Keeping Plywood Flat

Pros discuss causes, cures, and prevention of warping in plywood. July 9, 2005

Moisture Content of Western Red Cedar

A stable wood that is typically serves exterior uses, Western Red Cedar is usually delivered at about 12% moisture content. But you can find it drier than that. July 28, 2006

Wood Species for Exterior Projects

Suggested wood choices for a set of garage doors. March 18, 2006

Wax to Seal Turning Blocks

Thoughts on selecting and applying wax to preserve turning blocks during storage. February 8, 2008

Showing Off Sycamore

Sawing and drying pros show photos of sycamore (quartersawn, spalted, and clean-shaven). February 14, 2006

Stickers for green lumber

Where do sawyers get their stickers? November 7, 2001

Square foot vs board foot

Defining the difference. October 2, 2001

Converting log volume scales

When sellers and buyers want numbers in different scales, how do you come up with the calculations? July 22, 2003

Hard maple versus soft Maple

Aesthetic and functional differences between hard and soft maple

Mahogany Supply and Varieties

More info on what "Mahogany" really means, and information on the availability of various types. April 6, 2007

Purchasing kiln-dried lumber

Getting the quality and MC level you need . January 16, 2002

A retail lumber business?

Tips for success in a start-up sawmill-to-retail business. January 16, 2001

Minimum Sticker Thickness

How thin can stickers be in order to maximize kiln capacity without creating drying problems? May 11, 2005

Working with hickory

How to get around the difficult machining characteristics of hickory. July 24, 2001

Pecan Versus Hickory Wood

What's the difference? The tree species are from related groups, and the wood is often considered interchangeable. April 24, 2006

Red Oak or White Oak?

More info on a question that comes up often. October 12, 2007

Will Stacked Lumber Gain or Lose Moisture?

Lumber in storage may gain or lose moisture, but very slowly. Wrapping the pile in plastic will slow or stop the moisture change. March 29, 2006

Red Oak, White Oak, Black Oak, and More

but there's more to the story than that. This thread offers a few little-known facts about oak varieties. June 20, 2005

Uses for Yellow Poplar

Yellow Poplar makes excellent paint-grade cabinetry and trim, and can even be stained to resemble Cherry. April 27, 2007

Air-dried lumber

Is it air-dried cherry acceptable for furnituremaking? March 20, 2001

Net measure vs. gross measure

If you're not careful, gross measure may mean shrinking profits. February 12, 2001

Sunlight and a Cherry Entry Door

Cherry is a problematic wood for any exterior use, because it is known to first darken, then bleach, from exposure to sunlight. April 24, 2006

Gene's value-added hints

A bit of wisdom on adding value to your wood products, from Professor Gene Wengert. April 2, 2002

Quality of Southern Grown Oak

Though slightly different from northern wood, it's suitable for furniture. July 12, 2005

Worm Holes in Mahogany

Worm holes aren't always considered as a defect in Mahogany, but they do leave you wondering whether the critters will come back. July 30, 2007

Vacuum Dried Red Oak

Achieving quality and color. May 19, 2004

Building with Urban Trees

Harvesting and utilizing wood which would otherwise end up in the landfill. February 28, 2004

Ironing Plywood

A cabinetmaker has success straightening out bowed plywood with a hot iron. December 28, 2005

Moisture content for exterior doors

Determining the appropriate MC for lumber that will be exposed to vastly different humidity levels. November 14, 2001

Telling Red Pine from White Pine Logs

Branch whorls aren't much help, but compare early and late wood growth. February 26, 2005

Five value-added approaches

Professor Gene Wengert presents ideas on adding value to your wood products. April 2, 2002

Cottonwood: O.K. for rafters?

Is cottonwood appropriate for the structural parts of a building? January 31, 2001

Telling Hard and Soft Maple Apart

The two types of maple have different densities and different end grain appearance. There's also a chemical test. December 6, 2006

Substitutes for Mahogany Veneer

Maple and birch have different grain structure from mahogany, but some sustainably harvested tropical species may come closer. May 28, 2006

Dovetailing plywood

Successfully dovetailing baltic birch plywood. March 20, 2001

Claro Walnut Characteristics

Details on the origin and behavior of Claro Walnut wood. October 23, 2007

Moisture Regain in Dried Lumber

Should lumber be end-painted after it's been dried? May 11, 2005

Deodar Cedar -- What's It Good For?

A little information but few answers about an ornamental Cedar variety that sometimes finds its way to a sawmill. December 30, 2007

Distinguishing Hard and Soft Maple Under a Hand Lens

Distinctive ray patterns set hard and soft maple apart. October 4, 2007

Slippery kiln-dried wood

What could make dried wood so slippery that it is difficult to machine? August 12, 2001

Will Ocean Shipping Damage Teak?

A sawmiller worries that a load of teak he has ordered from a South American supplier may suffer mold damage en route. The feedback indicates he should relax. December 1, 2005

Distinguishing Western Hemlock from Amabilis Fir

Tips on how to tell apart two very similar trees. April 20, 2006

Straightening Old Bowed Floor Joists

Overloaded wood deforms over time (it's called "creep"). There's no quick way to reverse the process. December 1, 2005

Resources for Southern Tree Identification

How to find information on identifying trees in Louisiana and vicinity. March 3, 2006

Quartersawn and flatsawn: What's the difference?

Distinguishing between quartersawn and flatsawn lumber. January 16, 2001

Heart pine, defined

Forum contributors define heart pine discuss differences between heartwood, sapwood and pith. August 12, 2001

Marine Plywood Versus Interior Plywood

Brief explanation of the differences between interior, exterior, and marine plywood. November 10, 2006

Uses for Basswood

Basswood is a little soft for use as trim, but excellent for carving. March 18, 2006

Wood Identification Tips

Chemical tests don't work for most species, and identifying by eye takes practice. October 8, 2005

Moisture Absorbers for Protecting Wood?

In an unsealed space, a moisture absorber won't help keep wood dry. December 11, 2007

Steam bending wood

Information resources on how to steam bend wood. January 24, 2001

Shipping Dry Wood in a Green-Lumber Crate

If the dry stock is wrapped in plastic, it should be fine. February 8, 2008

Harmful saw dust

Steering clear of cedar dust, and what could happen if you don't. January 16, 2001

Waste factors in floor manufacturing

The amount of wood wasted from rough to finished flooring may surprise you. January 24, 2001

Dry Kiln Operator's Manual

A publication of the Forest Products Laboratory. August 22, 2003

Cottonwood Facts

An assortment of trivia about an under-appreciated wood species. October 2, 2005

Shipping Green Lumber

Pros discuss the risks involved in shipping green lumber, including uneven drying and moisture damage. December 1, 2005

Using a moisture meter

How and where to use a moisture meter. November 14, 2001

Tips for creating spalted maple

Creating spalted lumber by creating the correct conditions. January 4, 2001

Iroko Wood Tearout

This tropical hardwood (a good substitute for teak) can be tough on saw blades and moulder knives. December 1, 2005

Usefulness of Gum Wood

Which variety is this, and what's it good for? February 26, 2005

Storing Wood in an Unheated Building

Is kiln-dried lumber that has been sitting in an unheated shed still dry enough to use? November 27, 2006

Positioning an Edger and Sawmill

Situating your two-man sawmill setup for optimum efficiency. May 11, 2005

Black Cherry, Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry

What people call "cherry" is not all the same, or all equally valuable. November 18, 2006

"Mahogany" — One Name, Many Species

Here's a rundown on the official species names of the many different trees whose wood is sold as "mahogany".March 29, 2006

What is "fuming"?

Explanations of the process of fuming wood for color. April 11, 2001

Pith Centering in Cabin "D" Logs

A sawyer wonders how best to avoid distortion as he produces wall logs for a cabin project. February 26, 2005

Sawing crotchwood

Obtaining the best figured wood. September 2, 2002

A rubberwood primer

Rubberwood's machinability and comparability to teak. January 31, 2001

Working with Iroko Wood

It's sometimes called "African Teak," but Iroko is not Teak, and does not act like Teak. May 7, 2007

Tree identification guide

Recommended resources for identifying the trees in your region. February 28, 2001

Qualities and Uses for Sweet Gum

A small sawmiller sees his first load of Gum wood, and gets advice about its value and how to handle it. June 22, 2005

Setting the pitch

The why and how of setting the pitch in heart pine. October 15, 2001

Storing Wood in a Closed Container

Keeping the wood dry and controlling pests. February 26, 2005

Facts about Tulip Wood

Most "Tulip" is a variety of Poplar, and it can have interesting traits. October 2, 2005

Sterilizing Lumber

Definition and methods of sterilizing lumber

Determining Wood EMC -- (Equilibrium Moisture Content)

How to calculate and establish EMC. From the Forest Products Laboratory. February 16, 2004

Substitutes for Cherry MDF

There are more economical choices when grain is not an issue. May 10, 2005

Curly White Oak

Sawyers show off examples of figured white oak. December 1, 2005

Getting a charge from melamine

How to mitigate the creation and transmission of static electricity during the handling thermofused melamine. April 2, 2002

Basic lumber grades

An overview of NHLA grades. October 15, 2001

Durability of Locust Varieties

Black locust is the same as yellow locust, and it's more durable than honey locust. December 1, 2005

Defining the Term "Board"

Boards, flitches, and cants - here's how to keep 'em straight. February 26, 2005

Uses for Hackberry Wood

don't toss those hackberry logs. February 14, 2006

Borer holes in oak timbers

Which creepy-crawlies caused those holes in structural members of an oak timber-frame building? January 16, 2001

Temperature Versus Relative Humidity

Links to curves that plot the relationship. February 26, 2005

Clickable Tree Species Map

Locate tree species by hardiness zone, state or province. December 18, 2002

Drying Hardwood Lumber

A publication from the Forest Products Laboratory. August 22, 2003

Equilibrium Moisture Content of Wood -- in Outdoor Locations in the United States and Worldwide

An FPL article in PDF format

Estimates of Air Drying Times -- for Several Hardwoods and Softwoods

An FPL article in PDF format

Wood-Mizer Custom Cutting Tally Sheet -- and Lumber Contract

September 9, 2004

Tiger stripe effect -- what causes it?

What causes tiger stripe in wood? July 3, 2001

What is the Hardest Wood on Earth?

Trivia for wood lovers. There is some hard wood out there, people. April 11, 2008

Black locust uses

The best uses of black locust, then and now. January 4, 2001

Comparing Sapele to Mahogany

Woodworkers discuss the visual appearance and working characteristics of Sapele wood. April 9, 2008

Clear Alder Versus European Beech

A cabinetmaker who finds that clear Alder looks good, but scratches too easily, discovers a satisfying alternative: European Beech. April 9, 2008

Durability of Eastern Red Cedar

Short answer: it's the heartwood that is rot-resistant. But you'll learn more than that from this discussion. April 11, 2008

Appearance Considerations with Sapele

Sapele wood darkens over time (as do Cherry and Mahogany), and its compatibility with the look of other woods is a matter of personal preference. April 11, 2008

Melamine Carcasses

Can melamine interiors be considered high end? April 18, 2004

Stupid Woodworker Tricks

With a nod toward David Letterman, pros discuss their least-best moments. January 24, 2005

Woodshop Waste Percentage

How much wood do you waste in the construction of your product? June 21, 2004

Are bone-dry biscuits necessary?

Questions about the dryness and size of biscuits. April 24, 2002

Cutting and drying beveled siding

Producing beveled siding from green lumber, with special attention to the drying process. June 24, 2001

Recycled barn wood

Processing and marketing reclaimed lumber. September 23, 2003

Melamine Cabinet Boxes

Can melamine move in as plywood quality degrades? October 5, 2004

Setting Pitch in Douglas Fir

Temperature and time for setting pitch. February 28, 2004

Eliminating springback problems

Determining the radius to aim for when creating a curve with vac-laminated plywood. September 23, 2003

Using Wood in Raised Garden Beds

What kind of wood (if any) is suitable for garden beds? November 28, 2006

Wood Handbook -- Wood as an Engineering Material

Information on engineering with wood, properties of wood and designing with wood. September 28, 2002

Finger-Jointed Wood from 2x Scrap

A discussion about the practicality of turning off-cuts into useable studs by finger-jointing. July 30, 2007

Alternating growth rings in panels

The debate between alternating growth rings and matching grain. September 25, 2002

Vertical Siding

Types of siding for "old barn" look. August 9, 2004

Truing-up rough wood

Planers will not remove the bow from rough stock; jointing is required before boards can be properly thicknessed. February 13, 2001

Firewood kiln

Methods and facilities used to dry firewood. November 26, 2001

Installation Tips for Board and Batten Siding

Nail location is important. November 28, 2006

Mortising fenceposts

A few methods for cutting holes in split rail fencing. July 29, 2003

Home-built solar kiln

Fully illustrated details of a solar dry kiln. May 5, 2003

Using Beech to Build Cabinets

It's a beautiful wood, but is American Beech too unstable for cabinets? Not necessarily, say those who've tried it. August 21, 2006

Applying Nosing to Prefinished Plywood

The search for a satisfactory way to treat the seam where nosing meets plywood. May 10, 2005

Salvaging painted heart pine

Ideas for removing lead paint and nails from heart pine beams. August 12, 2001

Working with Red Birch

Red Birch is the heartwood of Yellow Birch. Here are tips on how it behaves. August 15, 2006

Blue Stain in Pine

How big a concern is blue surface stain on softwood? June 12, 2006

Selling Hardwood on the Side

A furniture and cabinet maker is considering a small-scale side business selling lumber, and gets advice on where the market is. November 10, 2005

Aspen Wood for Cabinets

It's soft, it's fuzzy, and it takes finish unevenly. Hmm... August 29, 2006

Building Cabinets with Lyptus

Cabinetmakers discuss the machining qualities and other characteristics of Lyptus (Eucalyptus) wood, and its suitability for cabinet construction. April 6, 2007

Working with Zebrawood

Tips on working with this interesting (but stinky) wood species. October 25, 2006

Gang rip yields

Determining the factors which influence optimal yields. June 13, 2001

Experiences shipping lumber

Determining the costs and problems of shipping lumber through UPS or other service. January 16, 2002

Finishing aromatic cedar -- don't do it!

Is it possible to finish a cedar ceiling, yet preserve the color and aroma? March 20, 2001

Uses for Juniper

Complex knot patterns make Juniper wood beautiful, but challenging to work. September 14, 2006

Using Lyptus

Here's a detailed thread on woodworker experiences using Lyptus wood. April 20, 2008

Vomit-Like Odor of Bacterially Infected Wood

When cabinets or wood smell like vomit, a likely culprit is bacterial infections in the trees the wood was made from. Unfortunately, there is no known fix. April 20, 2008

FOB defined

Origins and meanings of the term "freight on board." (Sawing and Drying Forum) March 23, 2003

Utilizing Municipal Trees -- Ideas from Across the Country

How municipal tree removals are being utilized for traditional wood products. May 26, 2002

Sustainable forestry

How sustainable forestry relates to the woodworker and consumer demands. June 3, 2003

Value added defined

Many definitions and interpretations are offered up. July 29, 2003

Wood, the environment, and Man

A wide-ranging overview of the state of the primary processing industry, and where it may be going from here. August 10, 2000

What is heart pine?

History and how heart pine is defined today. October 30, 2003

Durable Wood for a Screen Door

A craftsman's question about screen door materials kicks off a long discussion about the qualities of various wood species, old growth and second growth. October 4, 2005

Calculating moisture content

Using a hygrometer and calculator to determine the MC of kiln samples. September 2, 2002

Measuring Logs and Lumber

Lumber measurement - Professor Gene Wengert clears up questions regarding proper measurement techniques. May 28, 2001

Twisted timbers

Determining the cause of twisting in Douglas fir construction timbers. August 10, 2000

-What is a Board Foot?

Explanation and glossary of lumber terms by Professor Eugene Wengert. May 2, 2001

WOODPRO - Species Selection Made Easy

A free complete working computer program (that can be downloaded at WOODWEB), allowing woodworkers to select the most suitable wood species for any particular application - 1997

Vacuum Kilns - Pros and Cons

Testimony from operators who have used vacuum kilns. May 11, 2005

Applied wainscot

Creating fake raised panels for the lower portion of walls. April 3, 2002

Slabbing and Drying Big Logs

Preventing cracks in Monterey cypress. April 18, 2004

Drying wood in a tent

Recommendations on how to use the sun's rays and a plastic tent to dry lumber. November 7, 2001

Comparing sliding and vertical saws

Woodworkers voice their views on the virtues and liabilities of both sliding and vertical saws. November 15, 2000

Marketing Spalted Pecan

Beautifully figured spalted Pecan wood is a valuable material, but the niche market is a little tricky to sell in. May 9, 2007

Think before you take the CNC plunge

WOODWEB technical advisor Brian Personett offers some food for thought to those thinking about purchasing CNC equipment. November 15, 2000

Tallying Moldings

Suppliers round off piece lengths in different ways. Are you getting the quantities you ordered? May 29, 2005

Dehumidification Kiln Conditioning Without Steam

Techniques and equipment for producing a balanced environment inside your kiln. May 11, 2005

True Dimensions of 4/4 Green Lumber

The terms "4/4" and "RWRL" take some explaining. Here's the voice of expertise and experience. October 8, 2005

Hand-Peeling and Hand-Hewing Logs

Hand tools and techniques for de-barking logs and squaring timbers. May 9, 2007

Alder as a cherry substitute

Appropriate substitutes for cherry, and how to stain them. November 21, 2000

Jarah

and we do mean HARD. 1998.

Five Points for Efficient Sawmilling

Gene Wengert shares his expertise on sawing economically and profitably. January 29, 2004

Drying Rewetted Kiln-Dried Lumber

How to render kiln-dried lumber, which has been rewetted due to flooding or excessive humidity, useful once again. 1998.

Quartersawing Sycamore for Fleck

Making the most out of a sycamore log. May 11, 2005

Promoting blue stain

How to promote this visual effect in a stack of red pine. March 21, 2002

Installing refrigerator end panels

The search for better methods. April 3, 2002

Hemlock for homebuilding

The virtues and pitfalls of hemlock as a house-framing material. June 20, 2000

Lumber grading: The basics

How lumber is graded and net tallies are determined. November 7, 2000

Tooling up for Euro-style cabinets

When considering a switch to the 32mm system, there are two choices: Get your feet wet, or dive right in. 1998.

Powderpost Beetle Problems

Here's a good description of a log house infested with powderpost beetles. February 9, 2008

Drying wood for musical instruments

A primer on various lumber drying techniques as they relate to musical instrument construction. 1998.

Producing Drying Defects on Purpose

A client requests surface checks in his kiln charge of white oak. Should the operator oblige? May 11, 2005

Communicating via email

Buying and Selling Wood on the Internet: Part 1. January 3, 2002

Frequently Asked Questions about Widebelt Sanders

A general list of guidelines when using widebelt sanders - 1998

Treating Burls With Pentacryl

Is pentracryl a proper treatment for burl wood, or are other sealers more suitable? January 6, 2005

Treated pine vs. cedar

The Wood Doctor offers his prognosis for outdoor projects using cedar and treated pine. 1998.

Green Douglas Fir for Barn Framing

Green softwood lumber is fine for framing an outbuilding. August 29, 2006

Characteristics of padauk

Basic characteristics of this beautiful, brilliant-red wood. October 10, 2000

Line-boring for adjustable shelves

The full range of options for getting shelf holes in place is reviewed. 1998.

What Can Spread a Lyctid Infestation?

Be cautious — Lyctid powder-post beetles are hard to get rid of, and can spread even on small chips or shavings. March 13, 2007

Bugs in air-dried ash

Can a stack of ash be saved from an infestation of powderpost beetles? June 20, 2000

Troubleshooting Wood Flooring Shrinkage

Moisture change is always the culprit when wood shrinks. Here, pros a case of gapped-out wood flooring. July 28, 2006

Glue failures

Adhesive failure can usually be traced to one of two causes: overly moist wood or defective glue. December 6, 2000

Weighing Trailer-Loads of Sawdust

Ideas for gauging the weight of sawdust as you fill trailers or trucks. March 14, 2006

Planer vs. spiral insert heads -- for planers

Which provides the best finish--a planer type or a spiral insert knife head? January 16, 2001

Inconsistencies in HDF production

Problems with production of high-density fiberboard with MUF adhesive. June 6, 2001

Pressure treated lumber -- O.K. for grape arbor?

A look at pressure-treated woods, then and now, and safety factors to consider in using them. 1998.

Basement drying basics

The Wood Doctor prescribes proper drying procedures for a small batch in a basement. June 21, 2000

Lightning-Struck Wood Puzzle

Observations and speculation about whether lightning weakens the wood of a tree it strikes. August 29, 2006

Chestnut

Horse chestnut, and why it's the only live type of this wood available. September 6, 2000

Specific Gravity of Dawn Redwood