Is Aspen a Hardwood?
If you get hit in the head with a piece of wood, you’re probably going to think it’s pretty hard. The bump will last for a while, too. But, just how hard was the piece of wood that you got …
Wood Types
What Is Sande Plywood? How & When To Use It Explained
Sande plywood, known for its durability and uniform appearance, is a standout material in woodworking. It’s especially valued for its moisture resistance, making it ideal for various construction and furniture projects. This article explores sande plywood’s properties, uses, and advantages …
How Much Does Plywood Weigh?
Weight plays a part in woodworking, notwithstanding the fact we tend to think of woodworking as being length and width as we reach for our measuring tape or combination square on a workpiece. This is especially true of plywood in …
What is The Difference Between Whitewood and Pine?
Wood comes in a variety of colors by name – redwoods, green wood, and even whitewood. Redwoods get their name because of the bark and heartwood, with their reddish-brown color. The color comes from a high tannin level in the …
How Much Weight Can A 2×4 Hold? Vertical & Horizontal Load Capacity & Strength
The 2×4 is a foundational element in construction, framing everything from desks to homes. Its significance grew in the late 1940s with the transition to 2x4s, measuring 1.5” x 3.5”, the current US standard. QUICK ANSWER: Framing with 2x4s typically …
Black Walnut Tree Value: Assessing Worth by Age, Size, and Quality
The black walnut tree, known for its rich wood and abundant nuts, has been a topic of interest for woodworkers, investors, and homeowners alike. QUICK ANSWER: Black walnut tree value varies based on size, age, and wood quality. Mature trees …
Is Pine a Hardwood Or A Softwood?
We all know the words hard and soft, and we know what they mean, generally. When it comes to wood, though, it is not quite so intuitive as we might think. Those of us who work with wood know that …
How is Plywood Graded?
How is plywood graded? Well, the answer is not how well the plywood did on the history exam. Yes, yes, we know, a bad joke. But the question actually has many, many layers (pun intended). There are grades of plywood, …
Is Purple Heart Wood Toxic?
The world is full of beautiful woods. The grain of red oak, the warmth of Brazilian mahogany, the endurance of teak, and the richness of sugar maple all come to mind. We all have seen, at least, furniture from each …
Is Pecan a Hardwood or Softwood?
Pecan pie is one of my favorites, warm, crunchy with those pecan nuts on top, gooey, and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the sides of the slice. They’re easy to make, although perhaps not the healthiest …
How Strong Is Bamboo & Is It A Wood?
There are over 1600 species of bamboo, and one of them is the fastest-growing plant in the world, pushing itself up approximately 1 meter per day. Although tree-like, bamboo is actually grass. It is strong and durable, and because it …
Is Balsa Wood Strong?
How many of you remember building balsa wood model airplanes? The excitement of bringing the kit home, opening it, looking at the picture of the fully assembled plan – great memories. And those balsa wood airplanes with adjustable wings that …
Is Acacia Wood Strong?
There are several trees mentioned in the Bible, including the cedars of Lebanon, chestnut, fir, sycamore, and fig. This isn’t a piece about the Bible, but it is interesting and might serve you well in a game of Trivial Pursuit. …
Is Pine a Strong Wood?
We’ve written of hard and soft woods in the past, and each has its best uses in a woodworking shop. Don’t conflate hard and soft as strong and weak, though. When used in the right projects, all woods have strengths …
How to Tell Red Oak From White Oak Lumber
Sometimes the answers to questions are pretty obvious in the asking. This might be one of them: “What is the difference between red oak and white oak?” That obvious answer is in the color, of course. But it’s a bit …
Is Poplar Stronger Than Pine?
Is a hardwood a hard wood? That may seem like a silly question, but it is a fair one, and the answer depends on something called the Janka test. It also depends on the wood to which one is being …