> Types of Wood

Plywood (3)

Understanding Wood Sizing
When you visit your home center or woodworking supply house, you'll notice that stock comes in varying sizes using terms that may not make sense to the beginning woodworker. Learn how to find the exact sizes of stock you need to complete your project.

Understanding Wood - A Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology
R. Bruce Hoadley's masterpiece was first published in 1980, but was completely revised and updated in 2000. This second edition is a must have for any woodworker who wants to know why wood behaves as it does.

Heartwood vs. Sapwood - Learn Which You Should Use for Your Projects
As an ever-improving woodworker, you should understand the difference between heartwood and sapwood, and why most experienced woodworkers will remove sapwood and use heartwood when building their furniture or other projects. Learn the reasons why you should do the same when building your woodworking projects.

Woodworking With Hardwoods
Hardwoods, as woodworking materials, have much different uses than softwoods. Learn about the differences between hardwoods and softwoods, where hardwoods come from and which hardwoods you should use in your woodworking projects.

Softwoods and When to Use Them
Walk through the lumber department of any home center and 90% of the material you find will be softwoods, and only about 10% hardwoods. Why the disparity? In this article, you'll learn the types of softwoods and when to use them in your woodworking projects.

How Do Growth Rings Affect Wood Stock?
If you've ever seen a cross-section of a tree trunk, you've undoubtedly seen the growth rings. These growth rings, when viewed in wood, are referred to as the grain. Knowing how the grain, or growth rings are constructed will help you understand how wood behaves in your completed woodworking plans.

Woodworking with Oak - Getting the Best Results When Working with Oak
Although there are numerous varieties of the species, one of the most revered types of wood used in woodworking is oak. There are a number of considerations one should remember when woodworking with oak. Learn some steps for getting the best results out of your oak woodworking projects.

Tips for Woodworking with Poplar
Poplar is one of the most common types of wood used in furniture making, boat-building and other woodworking projects because it is inexpensive wood, fairly workable, will take paint well and is moderately durable. While Poplar shouldn't be used for every set of woodworking plans you intend to build, it is a versatile wood and can be used for a number of projects.

Should You Use Particle Board in Your Woodworking Projects?
Particle board is widely used in commercial furniture for a number of reasons: it is cheap, lightweight and stable. However, should you use particle board in your fine woodworking projects? In this article, we outline the advantages and disadvantages of particle board, to help you decide whether you should use it to complete your woodworking plans.

Common Wood Defects
One of the most difficult aspects of woodworking is dealing with wood's dynamic properties and defects in stock. Learn the types of defects and how to deal with them properly.

Types of Trees
White Mountain Design has put together a very informative article on how to select wood from different species, as well as moisture content of wood.

Dealing With Reaction Wood
Reaction wood comes from abnormally formed material hewn from a leaning tree. Using reaction wood in a project can be problematic. Learn how to avoid and deal with reaction wood.