Pros and Cons of Wood???

[SamCec]

Hi:

I'm new to scroll sawing. One thing I would like to learn is "how" to tell wood apart. Is there an easy way to differentiate wood or is it just something that is acquired with practice?

Another area that I think is important for me to learn is "The Pros and Cons" of wood. Example: Cherry what are the Pros and Cons of using this type wood; Walnut-the same question. This question would be asked for each type of wood used,

Thanks,
Sam

[scrollriffic]

I don't know how to answer something so general.So many different woods and plywoods and thicknesses that it would be too hard and time comsyming to answer. What are you trying to make so we can narrow it down a little?Bobby

[SamCec]

You ask--"What am I trying to make".
Well, recently I had a did a frog that Steve has in his catalog. It suggested to use MDF. Not knowing the characteristics of MDF, I thought I would use some pine I had laying around. I had no problem cutting the template but the problem came into play when I stained it. I bought some water-based stain at the local Home-Depot. When I applied the stain, it dried extremely spotty. I ended up throwing the thing away. If I had known that pine soaks up stain and if stained, a sealer show be used prior to applying the stain, that would have helped me.

Another example would be: If I am making an ornament that would be used outdoors, what is the best type of wood to use? If I'm making an ornament that will be hung, I might want to use a wood that has little weight to it.

So these are just a few examples what I was looking for.

I hope these examples help in explaining what I am looking for. Thank you for your help.
Sam

[Barry]

Hi Sam,

To answer your question it takes a while to learn about the different types of wood.  As you try different types you will see some cut easier, some stain better and some just look nicer.  You will discover your favorites.  You have already noticed how pine is easy to cut (because it is so soft) but it stains blotchy (sp?).  It is always available and cheap and great if you are going to paint your project.
A good hardwood to try is Poplar.  You can buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot, it is relatively inexpensive and stains well.  It cuts good and it is probably my favorite for all those reasons.
Keep your eyes open and you may find wood (cut-offs) at cabinet shops and yard sales. You can always buy wood online.  I use Sloans, the link is on Rick's website, and a lot of folks use Ocooch, also on Rick's site.  It is like anything else the better the wood the better your projects turn out (usually  .  Just start cutting and you will be surprised what all you will learn about wood.

Barry

PS - You will find wood is not cheap!! 

[Barry]

Hey Sam, you may want to scroll down in this Category, General Scroll Saw Talk, and see what Graybeard has to say under "Wood Source".

Barry

[Marcellarius]

To explain al the kinds of wood an their properties this would become a very large topic
so perhaps you can "google" on "different kinds of wood".

the first thing I found was this:

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles12/woods.shtml
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles04/mechanic4.shtml
http://www.essortment.com/all/wherecanfindi_rqep.htm
http://www.wood-furniture-manufacturers.com/type-of-wood.html

well, the rest you can find out by reading the sites,

hope you hav any use on this answer.

[julief]

When you are first starting out, price and availability are two common points.  I used a lot of poplar at first because it is readilly available and fairly reasonable in cost.  It cuts, sands and stains well.  You can always ask the opinions of others here on the forum before you start a project.  You will get a variety of answers but will also get the definite " stay away from" warnings from those of us who have tried and failed.

[SamCec]

julief:
I'm new to all this stuff. Can you tell me "what to stay away from"?

Sam

[Rightarm]

    Sam,
I do most of my projects using cherry & walnut. I have found they are about the same to cut. The only draw back I have had with walnut is if your not careful it will give you the worst sinus infection you've ever had. Good luck.
Dave

[Russ C]

Here is a chart showing the toxicity of wood to humans and the reactions. This a good start of being aware of problems with some wood.

[Becky]

I don't do much staining and I don't consider myself a wood expert by any means but I have learned a few things just from experience.  I like to cut both walnut and cherry.  In Steve's videos, he warns that cherry can burn easily if you cut it too fast.  Not a problem for me since I go pretty slow but it could be important if you set your speed faster.  Be sure to use box tape if you use cherry and consider knocking back the speed if you don't want to sand burn marks off your project. 

Walnut cuts nicely.  I don't recall ever reading or hearing any particular warnings about walnut.  I've never tried staining it.  It's plenty pretty with just some oil to bring out the grain.

Poplar, as others have stated, cuts well.  I've never stained it though.  The thing I find off-putting about poplar is its tendency to have those green areas.

A nice white wood to cut is maple.  I've been using a lot of maple lately.

Oak is a horse of a different color in my experience.  I have only cut red oak because that's what the box stores have.  It was pretty much a fight from beginning to end.  I've since read that the saw blade tends to really want to follow the grain with oak and that could explain why I had to fight with it.

There's a few thoughts anyway.

[SamCec]

Here is a chart showing the toxicity of wood to humans and the reactions. This a good start of being aware of problems with some wood.

Wow!!! I didn't realize any of this.  Thank you. I have some serious health problems and this chart will be a tremendous help.

Sam