What's The Best Wood....

woodywoodpecker · 02-08-2009, 01:20 AM

...for a beginner to start work with? Should I use a softer wood like pine or should I work with something like oak first. I know that the softer wood is not as forgiving but what do you think?

baguiopine · 02-12-2009, 01:55 AM

My relatives used to work with pine because they say it's strong and good for furnitures but I don't know about oak. I hope this makes sense.

toolman · 02-12-2009, 10:32 PM

Poplar wood, Stains good, Maple and Oak Red or White.

heretoday · 02-13-2009, 12:57 AM

I'm running into poplar a lot more often in electric guitar fabrication and I've found that it's a very friendly wood to work with. Not quite the sustain of mahogany, but lightweight, which can more than make up for it.

oldnamvet · 02-15-2009, 07:28 PM

A lot depends on what you want to build. Oak is a lot stronger than pine so if it is bookshelves, I'd go with the stronger wood. If it is smaller stuff then poplar, basswood, and pine are nice. They are softer and don't have the coarse grain structure than oak has. The coarse grain makes cutting and working it a lot harder. Most important thing is that all your tools are very sharp, otherwise working oak is a disaster.

Wood Gnome · 02-15-2009, 09:33 PM

I build a lot of furniture and have always preferred to work with pine. Pine was the wood I first started building with.

woodywoodpecker · 02-15-2009, 11:40 PM

Thanks everyone! You've given me a lot to think about. I like pine but it really isn't quite as durable as other woods. But it is easy to work with and easy to stain or paint. I love the way it smells too.

Best 4 Doors · 02-04-2010, 04:29 AM

Hi
I first started work using pine,if you can get some nice clear pine it a plesure to work with,Poplar has become very popular pardon the pun which is also nice to work with but is normally painted where as pine has a pleasing apperance.Once you have a few projects under your belt then try the hardwood.

02-08-2009, 01:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
woodywoodpecker Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 25	What's The Best Wood.... ...for a beginner to start work with? Should I use a softer wood like pine or should I work with something like oak first. I know that the softer wood is not as forgiving but what do you think?

02-12-2009, 10:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
toolman The Dark Side Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hookerton NC Posts: 12	Poplar wood, Stains good, Maple and Oak Red or White. __________________ Chad Pen turning is fast and fun! It is highly addictive! All your free time you once had will become a thing of the past!! And Down The Dark Side Of Woodworking You! Will! Goooooo!!

02-04-2010, 04:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Best 4 Doors Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7	best4doors Hi I first started work using pine,if you can get some nice clear pine it a plesure to work with,Poplar has become very popular pardon the pun which is also nice to work with but is normally painted where as pine has a pleasing apperance.Once you have a few projects under your belt then try the hardwood. __________________ Best 4 Doors - External & Internal Doors & Front Doors & Joinery

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02-12-2009, 01:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
baguiopine Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 18	My relatives used to work with pine because they say it's strong and good for furnitures but I don't know about oak. I hope this makes sense.

02-13-2009, 12:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
heretoday Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 396	I'm running into poplar a lot more often in electric guitar fabrication and I've found that it's a very friendly wood to work with. Not quite the sustain of mahogany, but lightweight, which can more than make up for it.

02-15-2009, 07:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
oldnamvet Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mid michigan Posts: 114	A lot depends on what you want to build. Oak is a lot stronger than pine so if it is bookshelves, I'd go with the stronger wood. If it is smaller stuff then poplar, basswood, and pine are nice. They are softer and don't have the coarse grain structure than oak has. The coarse grain makes cutting and working it a lot harder. Most important thing is that all your tools are very sharp, otherwise working oak is a disaster.

02-15-2009, 09:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wood Gnome Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 25	I build a lot of furniture and have always preferred to work with pine. Pine was the wood I first started building with.

02-15-2009, 11:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
woodywoodpecker Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 25	Thanks everyone! You've given me a lot to think about. I like pine but it really isn't quite as durable as other woods. But it is easy to work with and easy to stain or paint. I love the way it smells too.