Wood Engineering at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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Toxicity of Black Locust

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

White Cedar Durability

White Cedar heartwood holds up well in exterior exposures, with or without stain. The sapwood, not so much. March 30, 2008

Maple Hassles

Woodworkers kick Maple's reputation around on this thread — but there's plenty of good information here about how to get the best out of it. 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

- Wood species

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

Wood and Water

An excerpt from Gene Wengert's book, "Drying Oak Lumber." May 31, 2001

Preventing Cupping in a Wide Board

Woodworkers discuss the "rip and flip" method, relief cuts, and similar methods of reducing wood movement. November 19, 2005

Troubleshooting vacuum kiln problems

An extensive discussion on vacuum pumps and vaporization of organic compounds in wood. February 28, 2001

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

Poplar for a Storm Door: Movement Issues

An extended discussion of the behavior of Poplar in an exterior exposure. Science says Poplar is suitable for exterior woodwork, but experience may indicate the contrary. June 3, 2007

What Causes Ring Shake?

Speculations and discussion on science relating to ring shake. April 10, 2005

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

Warp in Drying

Causes and cures for warpage when drying lumber. May 4, 2001

Troubleshooting Cupping in a Bar Top

A solid Ipe bar top starts to show cupping. Furniture-makers chime in on wood movement and the nature of the problem. January 13, 2006

Moulding on a Curved Wall

Installing trim work along a curved staricase. February 28, 2004

Home-made house materials

Advice on sawing out the lumber to build your own house. February 28, 2001

Poplar in Exterior Conditions

Although some people have noted 100-year-old poplar porch posts that are still sound, poplar generally seems to rot quickly in exterior use. November 10, 2005

Walnut Butcher Block Countertops

Techniques for creating a beautiful butcher block countertop are shared. May 10, 2005

Ripping and Re-Gluing to Limit Cupping

The Wood Doc weighs in on the old-timer technique of ripping and re-gluing boards in order to lessen moisture-related cupping. February 19, 2008

Checking Concerns with Massive Wood Posts

A custom home project calls for 15-inch-wide solid timber posts. Here's a discussion of the inevitable checking that will occur, and how to minimize it. November 13, 2005

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

Steam bending and lamination

Switching from glulam to steam bending of curved furniture parts. July 22, 2003

Indoor Wood Shrinkage and Expansion

A learned discussion of the way building interior humidity causes dimensional change in wood. December 1, 2005

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

Producing Stable Part Stock

With little time and no system in place, can this shop produce parts that won't move over time? October 20, 2004

Green barn siding

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

Eliminating springback problems

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

Troubleshooting Buckled Peel-and-Stick Veneer

Indoor humidity has caused adhesive-backed veneer to buckle. Here, pros discuss the limitations and vulnerabilities of the material. November 20, 2005

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

Why Glass Tops Can Warp Tabletops

A cautionary tale of a table that cracked because of glass resting on it. October 19, 2005

Building a Glue Press

Creating a glue press system in-shop. April 2, 2004

Wide-Board Table Top with no Warping

Can it be done? Maybe. February 26, 2005

Submerged Wood for Instrument Making

"Sinker logs" from the Great Lakes turn out to be ideal for making musical instruments. December 15, 2005

Stiffening Long-Span Bookshelves

Pros discuss ideas for limiting mid-span shelf deflection. June 18, 2005

Wood Handbook -- Wood as an Engineering Material

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

Mahogany Varieties for Countertops

A discussion of the practicality of mahogany for a countertop, and thoughts about similar alternatives. November 7, 2007

Constructing with poplar

Is poplar appropriate for building? February 6, 2002

Working with Sapelle

Notes on the workability and machinability of this exotic tropical hardwood. January 8, 2007

Mesquite Lore

Texas woodworkers share their knowledge of Mesquite wood. August 21, 2006

Fresh-Cut Pine for Rafters

In theory, green softwood should perform acceptably for barn rafters. In practice, on the other hand ... well, life is full of surprises. November 28, 2006

Curved Stairway Trim Job

Where chair rail meets moulding. February 28, 2004

Working with Solid Ebony

Tips on how best to handle this scarce and costly wood. November 10, 2006

Spanish Cedar for Furniture?

Characteristics of Spanish Cedar make it problematic, even for porch furniture. January 27, 2007

Intentional Spalting

Can you treat logs with fungus and humidity to create spalting on purpose? Some say "yes," but it's more art than science. June 23, 2005

Choosing Wood for an Exterior Door

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

Sycamore for a Post and Beam Frame?

Beautiful as the wood is, Sycamore's tendency to twist makes it a questionable choice for timber framing. December 28, 2006

Bending wood -- options

Products and methods for bending wood. March 23, 2002

Architectural Woodworking Forum -- Span Limits and Materials for Library Shelving

Furniture and cabinet makers discuss the theory and practice of bookshelf sag control. February 16, 2006

West Coast Live Oak Uses

This discussion of Live Oak lumber characteristics includes some info about the "Sudden Oak Death" disease that is plaguing the West Coast. July 30, 2007

Installation Tips for Board and Batten Siding

Nail location is important. November 28, 2006

Port Orford Cedar — Milling Tips and Uses

Ideas on how to saw a nice Port Orford Cedar log, and for what to make with the wood. October 25, 2006

Characteristics of Lyptus Wood

Cabinetmakers discuss the properties of this lesser-known but increasingly popular wood species. February 28, 2006

Solid Wood Octagon Table Top Failure

Wood movement dooms a solid wood "sunburst" table top, and we learn why that will always happen. February 12, 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

De-Warping Table Leaves

A draw-leaf table has warped, and the maker asks for advice on fixing it. Colleagues suggest ways to quickly straighten the crooked parts. October 19, 2005

Wet Cottonwood with Wind Shake

Some comments about the dubious strength and quality of lumber from Cottonwood logs having noticeable wind shake. July 28, 2006

Determining MC by weight

Tools and techniques for measuring moisture content by weighing lumber cuttings. January 4, 2001

Characteristics of Utile Wood

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

African Versus Honduras Mahogany

Woodworkers compare the grain characteristics, color, and machinability of different Mahogany varieties. November 19, 2005

Understanding Drying Stress in Wood

A complaint about cupping in mahogany door stiles after machining leads to a discussion of what causes drying stress and related movement in kiln-dried wood. June 23, 2006

Characteristics of Honeylocust Wood

Thoughts on Honeylocust, a little-known but attractive and useful wood species. June 30, 2007

Table-Leaf Warping Problem

Why are extra leaves from a tabletop warping? Experts explain causes and cures. June 28, 2005

Green Douglas Fir for Barn Framing

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

Using a Green Timber as a Girder

Issues to be aware of when using green or partially-green softwood timbers as structural beams. November 28, 2006

Durability of Board and Batten Siding

What wood species will last well unpainted in a board and batten siding application? June 9, 2007

Staining MDF

Products and techniques for best results. July 28, 2004

Sawing An Old Elm Tree

Tension wood from growth stress may call for a modified technique. April 10, 2005

Long-Span Shelves

Ideas and resources for dealing with long shelf spans. December 30, 2005

Choosing Wood for Making Lacrosse Sticks

Hickory is the top suggestion in this discussion from the Sawing and Drying forum. December 1, 2005

American Hophornbeam for Timber Frame Pegs

Hornbeam and Hophornbeam are not well known these days, but were valued historically for strength and hardness. June 9, 2007

Working with Lyptus

Cabinetmakers share experiences working with the tropical hardwood Lyptus. July 22, 2005

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

What's the Easiest Wood to Work ?

Woodworkers rate wood species on machinability, looks, and stainability. December 14, 2005

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

A One-Piece Wood-Slab Countertop

Splitting is a concern, craftsmen agree. October 28, 2005

R-Value of Log Walls

Wood rates about R-1 per inch, but air-sealing is also an issue with log buildings. July 13, 2006

Quality of Southern Grown Oak

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

Gluing Up a Cherry and Maple Tabletop cherry & maple

A woodworker gets advice on allowing for movement when gluing different wood species together. December 20, 2005

Building a steamer

Homemade steamers for bending wood in your shop. January 21, 2002

Yellow discoloration in oak

Causes of yellow staining in kiln-dried oak are discussed. October 2, 2001

Working with Ribbon Mahogany and Brazilian Cherry

Tips on machining and staining two very hard, and very visually interesting, exotic hardwoods. October 27, 2005

Working with Tamarack Wood

A discussion of Tamarack's suitability for board and batten siding, and for other uses. December 28, 2006

Drying Cedar Siding

Fresh cedar boards need only a quick air drying for exterior use. October 30, 2005

Telling Red Pine from White Pine Logs

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

Ring Shake in Hemlock

Hemlock makes good boards or framing lumber, but wood from trees exposed to grazing animals may be have structural flaws. July 12, 2005

Red Pine Versus White Pine for Timber Framing

Red pine is stiffer and stronger than white pine, but more prone to warping. December 28, 2006

Inconsistencies in HDF production

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

Pilings to Resist Marine Borers

Untreated wood is vulnerable to attack when submerged in ocean water. But CCA-treated wood is still allowed for use as salt-water pilings. November 28, 2006

Cottonwood: O.K. for rafters?

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

Usefulness of Alder Wood

but it has its own good and bad points. June 28, 2005

Aspen Wood for Cabinets

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

Sawn Wood Versus LVL Header Strength

Sawmiller needs to verify the allowable bearing capacity of a sawn timber for code inspection purposes. February 9, 2008

Plywood Shelf Deflection

Thoughts on plywood shelf thickness, ways of reinforcing shelves, and othe ideas. February 26, 2007

Working with Silver Maple

Like Red Maple, it's a type of Soft Maple. Machines easily, but with a tendency to fuzz. 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

Claro Walnut Characteristics

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

Osage Orange Color Changes

You can't stop Osage Orange wood from turning brown as it ages. February 12, 2007

Good Wood for Handles

Oak, hickory, and elm (if you can find some) work well. October 25, 2006

Working with Zebrawood

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

What's Better for Framing, S-P-F or SYP?

Southern Yellow Pine has a greater span capability than the mixed-species category "Spruce-Pine-Fir," according to Dr. Gene. January 11, 2007

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

Southern Yellow Pine for Timber Framing

Is SYP a good material for a timber frame house? February 24, 2008

Slope of grain

How to process lumber to achieve a given slope of grain. March 28, 2001

Uses and Value of Persimmon

A disussion of what persimmon wood is worth, and what it's good for. December 15, 2005

Working with Iroko Wood

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

Epoxy for Laying Up Ipe Stair Treads

Epoxy should hold a joint for glued-up stair treads in Ipe wood at 20% MC for an exterior exposure. November 28, 2006

Uses for Juniper

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

Drying small pieces of wood

Unusual methods for drying wood, including boiling. February 28, 2001

Durability of Locust Varieties

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

Uses for Hackberry Wood

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

An Introduction to Wood Anatomy Characteristics Common to Softwoods & Hardwoods

Familiarize yourself with the basics of tree and wood anatomy. June 21, 2007

Inches to Millimeters Conversion Chart

Oops, missed the moon again. Let's get those units right, boys. January 3, 2007

Techniques for Equalizing and Conditioning Lumber

The Wood Doctor explains how to complete the final two steps in the primary processing uh, process. 1998.

Crown Moulding Expansion/Contraction Problem

Who or what is responsible for gaps appearing at joints after installation? June 4, 2004

Processing trees to lumber -- for the hobbyist

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

Are bone-dry biscuits necessary?

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

Calculating the weight of lumber

Formulas, detailed instructions and species-specific charts from Professor Gene Wengert. May 3, 2001

Measuring/Monitoring Moisture Levels

The hows and whys of monitoring moisture content in lumber. 1998.

Electric Moisture Meters

A guide for using portable electric moisture meters on lumber. May 3, 2001

Cracks in log home logs -- and other warnings

Cracks in logs used in log home construction are normal, but not necessarily desirable. August 10, 2000

Good species for fence posts

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

"Floating" wood floors over concrete

Suggestions for installing a solid wood, "floating" floor over concrete. June 6, 2001

Home DH for drying lumber

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

Drying rough-sawn timbers

A large outdoor project raises questions about drying large, rough-sawn timbers for long-term use. June 20, 2000

Aging yellow cedar

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

Calculating moisture content

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

Aching Glue Joints

Diagnoses and cures for a variety of problems related to the gluing up of panels in solid lumber. 1998.

Twisted timbers

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

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

Color matching and grain repair

Learning the necessary skills. (From WOODWEB's Finishing Forum) January 21, 2003

Best sawmill for exotic hardwoods

Bandmills vs. swing mills for a new operation. September 2, 2002

Rx For Bending Wood

Dr. Gene Wengert offers advice on bending solid lumber in production applications. 1998.

Slabbing and Drying Big Logs

Preventing cracks in Monterey cypress. April 18, 2004

Teak Finish on Kitchen Cabinets

Teak may be naturally water resistant, but in a kitchen environment, even this tough lumber needs some help. February 26, 2005

Hard vs. soft maple

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

Acidity: Common Cause -- of Panel Gluing Problems

How pH contributes to adhesion problems in glued-up panels. 1998.

Surfacing curly woods

The best machinery and tooling to handle the job. October 9, 2002

Cherry Color After Aging

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

Distinguishing White Oak from Red

Methods for discerning different oak types. May 19, 2004

The limitations of juvenile lumber

Exactly how useful is the lumber yielded by less-than-mature trees? August 10, 2000

Uses for shavings and sawdust

A discussion of uses for and the marketablility of waste from the primary processing of lumber. July 18, 2000

Black locust vs. treated wood -- for barn poles

Comparing black locust to treated lumber for use in barn construction. June 21, 2000

Log weight

Locating a chart and doing the calculations. September 2, 2002

Alder as a cherry substitute

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

Jarah

and we do mean HARD. 1998.

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.

Wood dust hazards and safety gear

A detailed look at personal safety precautions for those exposed to wood dust.

Moisture variance in red oak

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

The truth about pressure-treated wood

Exploding some myths about the dangers of CCA pressure-treated wood. August 10, 2000

Vertical Siding

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

Promoting blue stain

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

Comparing moisture meters

An assessment of the performance of pin and pinless moisture meters made by major manufacturers. July 11, 2000

Sawing and drying mesquite

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

Hemlock for homebuilding

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

Clear face in a log

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

Drying wood for musical instruments

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

Drying sinker wood

How does one begin drying wood that's been submerged in water for many years? June 27, 2000

How milling impacts figure

How milling influences figure in sawn lumber. November 15, 2000

Lumber drying for musical instruments

Does the speed of the drying process affect a wood's musical quality?June 21, 2000

Loss in air-dried lumber

The Wood Doctor provides typicial loss factors for several speices of lumber, when air-dried. 1998.

Planer is tearing-out -- on white oak, but not red

What could be the culprit when a planer is tearing out on one type of oak, but not another? June 14, 2000

Cambium miners' effect on standing cherry

A woodlot pest causes gummosis in cherry. June 21, 2000

Conditioning DH-kiln-dried white oak

July 18, 2000

Don't send a home dehumidifier -- to do a commercial kiln's work

Are domestic dehumidifiers adaptable for use in drying small quantities of lumber? March 12, 2000

Treated pine vs. cedar

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

Characteristics of padauk

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

Drying discs from a walnut log

Ideas for drying and protecting circular slices taken from a walnut log. November 15, 2000

Hard maple versus soft Maple

Aesthetic and functional differences between hard and soft maple

Wood species for outdoor furniture

The Wood Doctor names names: Decay-resistance lumber suitable for outdoor use. October 10, 2000

Working with hickory

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

Wood weight and highway transport

How to accurately estimate the weight of a truckload of air-dried lumber to assure compliance with trucking regulations. Includes access info for resources. August 1, 2000

20 Steps to Drying Hard White Maple

The Wood Doctor's 100 percent guaranteed, sure-fire, no-snake-oil method for successfully drying hard white maple. 1998.

Air temp, relative humidity and MC

How much moisture can air hold, and what is the effect on drying lumber? July 4, 2000

Bugs in air-dried ash

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

Fabric Softener for Steam Bending

Fact or legend? Rumor has it that fabric softener makes steam-bending easier. October 26, 2007

Health hazards of wood dust

Studies have shown that breathing wood dust can be hazardous to your health. 1998.

Food prep finish

The finish and wood to use (and what not to use) on butcherblock tops. August 29, 2001

Calculating Springback

Simple formula for determining amount of springback in bent solid wood. April 18, 2004

Standing dry cedar: Lumber-worthy?

Are standing, dead cedar trees a good source for decking boards? July 11, 2000

Vacuum Dried Red Oak

Achieving quality and color. May 19, 2004

Aromatic cedar for closet lining

A discussion of drying and machining, aromatic red cedar for closet lining. Includes ideas on marketing the finished product. March 4, 2000

Market for persimmon?

Once popular in the manufacture of golf clubs, the demand for persimmon has slowed. March 2, 2000

Steaming beech for veneer production

Questions and answers on various technical aspects of steaming beech lumber, preparatory to producing veneer. Includes ideas for further reading.

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.

Formaldehyde, sawdust and cancer

Discussion on the health risks of formaldehyde in finishes and wood dust in the air. April 4, 2001

Faking mahogany

What species are closest to mahogany in grain structure, so, when stained, will look like the real thing? March 20, 2000

Keeping solid doors flat

Techniques for preventing warpage of solid wood cabinet doors. June 14, 2000

Kiln dried: Better than air dried?

Why kiln-dried lumber is the best option for wood that will eventually 'live' indoors. 1998.

Glue-ups and growth rings

Does ripping and re-gluing drawer faces reduce cup? June 24, 2001

Mist systems and relative humidity

Mist systems, what they do, and some general information about relative humidty and its effect on wood. 1998.

Cupping of resawn lumber

The two reasons wood cups when resawn. 1998.

Door stiles bow after assembly

Possible causes and solutions for door stiles that bow after the door is assembled. September 26, 2000

Best preparation for bent ash

Dr. Gene advises a fishing-net maker on the best ways to prepare ash for bending into frames for his products. 1998.

Straight cuts through knots

Knots are extremely dense. Here's advice for keeping cuts on line while cutting through them. June 21, 2000

Salt pastes and PEG

Polyethylene glycol is high-priced, but the alternatives for stabilizing green wood are few. 1998.

Green white oak for fencing?

Using unseasoned white oak as fencing for a horse pasture. August 10, 2000

Cypress board and batten siding

It's better to kiln dry that cypress before siding your house with it than to let air-drying suffice. 1998.

Cambium miner's effect on lumber grade

Gene Wengert on cambium miners, what they do, and whether the result affects lumber grade. 1998.

Steam bending wood

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

Do tropical trees lose their leaves?

The Wood Doctor explains that many species of tropical trees are indeed deciduous. 1998.

Comparing Western and Eastern cedars

Both Eastern white and Western red cedars have their virtues; the Wood Doctor provides details. 1998.

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

Raised glue lines after curing

A glue line that is raised days after parts are assembled and the glue has cured is a sure sign of wet lumber. 1998.

Is Eastern red cedar toxic?

Eastern red cedar does not share some of the reaction-generating characteristics of its Western namesake. 1998.

Comparing wood strengths

Wood species has less to do with strength than does grain characteristics. June 21, 2000

Kiln drying Mexican oak

Mexican oak can be dried using the same schedules as those used by processors in the United States. 1998.

Eucalyptus for furnituremaking

A primer on this native Australian lumber. June 14, 2000

Controlling color in air-dried alder

Ideas for achieving color uniformity when air-drying alder. July 26, 2000

Spots revealed in dry, planed lumber

Dr. Gene attempts to find the causes of discolored spots on dried lumber, revealed only when the stock has been planed. 1998.

Drying green tongue-and-groove pine

Success in drying green, already-machined lumber has much to do with the species. 1998.

A PEG primer

Some general information on this green-wood treatment. 1998.

: Redheart, described and defined

"Redheart" is just another name for... 1998.

Temperature maximums for dehumidification units

and that's plenty. 1998.

Gluing white oak panels

Because of its density, white oak lumber must be machined carefully for panel glue-up, and assembled within an hour of preparation. 1998.

Woods for outdoor furniture

A manufacturer of outdoor furniture consults the Wood Doctor for help with choosing a species to replace beech. 1998.

Walnut toxicity fact and fiction

Is walnut safe for salad bowls? Horse bedding? June 21, 2000

A rubberwood primer

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

Quartersawn mahogany, or is it?

An architectural woodworker seeks specifications and industry guidelines for what constitutes truly quartersawn mahogany. March 5, 2000.

Moisture content of walnut -- and measuring it

A woodworker seeks information about acceptable moisture contents for walnut used in furniture, and wonders what makes moisture meters tick. 1998.

Are coastal trees of lower quality?

Is there a in the quality of lumber between trees grown in coastal, versus inland, areas? August 10, 2000

Sticker stain solutions

A look at potential causes and solutions for sticker stain. July 11, 2000

Using PEG for dimensional stability

The discovery and use of PEG for stabilizing previously unseasoned lumber. 1998.

Tree identification guide

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

Causes for warpage after planing

Why boards may warp after surfacing. January 16, 2001

Cures for sticker stain

Drying lumber can suffer from sticker stain for a variety of reasons. June 20, 2000

Raised grain: A pith-side phenomenon

Raised grain tends to appear more on the side of boards which, in the log, faced the pith. Here's why. 1998.

Air-dried oak for casework?

Air-dried lumber needs to live in the environment it will inhabit prior to fabrication. 1998.

Hackberry sawing and drying

How to saw and dry hackberry to avoid chemical staining. March 7, 2000

Preserving a cedar deck

Best methods for treating and protecting wood decks from decay. 1998.

Wood dust a carcinogen?

The Wood Doctor points to two sources of information on the carcinogenic properties of wood dust. 1998.

"M" particleboard grades

The difference between grades of particleboard is explained. June 14, 2000

Wood waste for electric generation?

Could wood be an efficient source for eventual conversion into electric power? 1998.

Melamine comparison

September 6, 2000

Black ash uses

White ash, black ash, and their various uses. July 26, 2000

Working with casehardened lumber

Casehardened lumber should be returned to the processor, or planed to the desired thickness; resawing is not an option. 1998.

A good, cheap end sealant?

A discussion of the pros and cons of various sealants used on ends of boards in primary lumber processing. April 22, 2000

Determining Wood EMC -- (Equilibrium Moisture Content)

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