Today's
Sponsors:


Mereen-Johnson Machine Company

Merritt Woodwork

MFG in Honduras

Micro Fence

Microvellum

Middle Valley Lumber

Mikron Woodworking Machinery

Mill Outlet

Minimax

Mirror Reflections

MLS Machinery USA, Inc.

MLS Machinery

Modern Woodworking Magazine

Moldingknives.com

Monarch Machinery

Morbidelli

Moulder Services

Moulder Techniques

Mountainside Wood Products

Multicam, Inc.

NAP Gladu

Nebraska Tool

NEMI

New England Kiln Drying Association

NexGen

Hoffmann Machine Company

Holz Her U.S. Inc.

Howard S. Twichell Co.

Hvalsoe Sawmill Ltd.

ICA North America

Icy Straits Lumber

IDM

Impact Search and Placement

Indiana Hardwoods

Industrial Air Solutions

Integra Precision Grinding and Manufacturing

InTrading

Invicta Woodworking Machines

IpeDepot.com

irsauctions.com

Italpresse

J & G Machinery

J and J Barn Wood

J&P Machines

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Jiffytops

JIT Hardware Supplies, Inc.

JMHsoftware.com

John G. Weber Co.

Joos USA Inc.

KCD Software

Kerber Farms and Mill

Keystone Wood Specialties

Keytrix Data Systems

Kiln-direct.com

Kleiberit Adhesives USA, Inc.

Kreg Tool Company

Kremlin

Lacy Cypress Inc.

Langelier Lumber Ltd.

Leadermac USA

Lewis Lumber Products

Lignomat

Logosol

Lumber Resources

Lumber Smith

M.L. Campbell

MACHINEKING.com

Macoser, Inc.

Mahros

Maine Timber Works

Maine Woods Company

Mann and Parker Lumber Co.

Martin Lumber

MARTIN Woodworking Machines Corp.

Mastercam - CNC Software

Matthews Mill

Maya Positioning Equipment




Hickory or Pecan       Ideas for telling two highly similar plywood faces apart. February 25, 2005

Question
I have a friend that is doing a hickory job. He ordered B2 grade plywood - one side is hickory and the other is pecan, but he can't tell which is which. Can anyone help? I have never worked with hickory. How much trouble is he in for?

Forum Responses
(Cabinet and Millwork Installation Forum)
Pecan and hickory are related and they are difficult to tell apart. I have read that industry standards allow for pecan and hickory to be sold without specification of the exact species.

Other than being able to determine a difference in the quality of one face or the other, I am not sure if one could always determine which was which by the eye.

As far as working with hickory, it is a very hard wood that is hard on tools. I enjoy working with it - but you must have very sharp tools. I have also noticed that hickory is prone to tear out, so if you are using any router profiles, prepare to use a greater percentage of overstock to accommodate.



I can't tell you which is which, but I would wet each face and then match the colors. Right now they may not be visibly different, but when you apply a finish, it might just bite ya.


Most sheets will have the grade and species on one end or edge. The writing will always read upright, as you are reading this message. So the top of the sheet would be your good side.


Hickory or pecan, you will never be able to tell which is which a month down the road. Hickory is good wood. Solid stuff will warp on you sometimes, when you think that is all behind you. If you get a piece with nice wavy grain and stain it a mahogany color, you can call it bubinga, and the smartest guy you know won't be able to tell the difference without cutting or scraping it.

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?


Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Lumber & Plywood: Wood Identification

  • KnowledgeBase: Wood Engineering: Wood Properties




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2009 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    RR4 Box 265A
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB













  •   Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article