Making the right Choice

[BigC]

Hi,
I consider myself a newbie to CNC and Vectric for that matter. but I am creative and like to approach jobs from different angles, asking questions on how can I improve on things on what's gone before (mainly posted files) and from a learning perspective I thank you all for that.
With the mindset that choice and finishing is everything.
Choice of wood (mainly) and Finishing (in its various forms)
Admittedly (again as a greenhorn) I am not a connoisseur in wood species and their characteristics but I stumbled upon this site (and as a newbie) provided me with a little more insight into these aspects.
I have seen bland files transformed into works of art purely by the choices made in this department.
I have seen the simplistic "Paradise Box" by Michael Tyler transformed dramatically by wood choice alone.
This site I would like to share with perhaps the newbies amongst us, in and endeavor to break away from (my MDF adventures at least) to the beauty of REAL wood in our projects.
https://www.wood-database.com/wood-arti ... ion-guide/
Specifically, click on "Wood Finder" tab

Make the right Choice
Regards
C

[sharkcutup]

I have bookmarked that site on my computer!!!

Thanks You, C

Sharkcutup

[martin54]

I don't tend to use that site as much as I use to but that is only because I tend to use the same Hardwoods all the time & I now know what machines well & what doesn't When I first started buying wood I checked just about everything to make sure it would be OK for the project I had in mind.
One other thing to consider is the actual project you are doing, often figured wood & machining don't go well together for one reason or another.

[jimandi5000]

I have bookmarked that site too!!! Thanks for posting it.

[BigC]

I don't tend to use that site as much as I use to but that is only because I tend to use the same Hardwoods all the time & I now know what machines well & what doesn't When I first started buying wood I checked just about everything to make sure it would be OK for the project I had in mind.
One other thing to consider is the actual project you are doing, often figured wood & machining don't go well together for one reason or another.

Hi Martin,
Just as a matter of interest.
I know our stateside cousins seem to have an array of beautiful exotic woods available to them.
What species of wood can I expect to commonly find available in the UK
Regards
C

[martin54]

You can buy most exotic woods from various places so you are limited more by budget than anything else, there are some specialist sites that sell smaller pieces & a few timber merchants that sell larger boards.
I don't tend to use a lot of it myself though, most of the wood I buy comes from a local sawmill who sell Kiln dried slices at various thicknesses. That's one of the main reasons for buying the bandsaw which will hopefully allow me to resaw boards rather than just look for boards that are thin enough for what I generally use.

The sawmill have a sustainability policy & are involved with some of the woodland groups which I thought might make a good selling point for myself although I haven't really sold much yet (still hoping).

Its mostly hardwoods that I buy which include Oak in 2 or 3 different types, Ash, Beech, Birch, sweet chestnut, Elm, Lime & sycamore. These seem to be available each time I visit. Some hardwoods do appear but not on a regular basis & when available I can buy, silver birch, cherry, horse chestnut, Hornbeam & London plane. I also buy Yew which is technically a softwood
Don't buy much softwood but do buy larch from time to time.

Although I haven't seen them at the sawmill I buy from you may find you can buy other hardwoods local to yourself, fruit woods such as Apple & Pear, Wallnut, maple & willow.

I also bought a pallet of offcuts from the well known auction site, this consisted of about 70 pieces of American Black Walnut approx 1 inch thick & widths varying from 1 inch to 8 inch & lengths between 18 inch & 36 inch. It wasn't the best buy I have ever made, most of it as I am sure you can guess ended up being shorter narrower pieces Have been able to make a lot of pens from it though lol

I am not very good with wood types myself so make sure I keep the names written on my stock I have been told there is quite a bit of Alder locally but have never seen it at the sawmill. Keep saying I will find a local tree cutting service to ask if I could buy some logs from before they cut it all up for fire wood but never seem to get round to it.

[scottp55]

You ran across one of my Bibles for wood identification C.

Also great to read up on species you are considering buying(or have been gifted).
Going through a box of carefully cut pallet pieces scrounged from Pratt&Whitney yesterday after it had sat untouched for 2 yrs....
ran across 1 piece so beat up it looked like MDF...so much so, I tossed in my MDF mortising bit to surface....WONDERFUL little figure in it...
have to search Database to ID (thinking possible Sassafras).

Don't forget to read the Articles!
Very useful site!!
scott