Is Balsa Wood Strong?

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Matt Hagens

Are you questioning the strength of balsa wood? Despite its reputation as a lightweight and seemingly fragile material, balsa wood hides an unexpected robustness. From model-making to more intricate applications, understanding the true strength of balsa wood can open up …

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Is Acacia Wood Strong?

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Matt Hagens

You know the importance of choosing the right material for your projects as a woodworker. You’re likely wondering, “Is Acacia wood strong enough for my next project?” I’ve spent years working with various woods and understand the dilemma of selecting …

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Is Pine a Strong Wood?

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Matt Hagens

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 …

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How to Tell Red Oak From White Oak Lumber

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Matt Hagens

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 …

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Is Poplar Stronger Than Pine?

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Matt Hagens

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 …

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