Favorite Wood

What's your favorite wood species and why?

[skysharks]

I have to agree Jeff, that by you starting this Santa Claus wish list. My choice's seem to be right online.

My personal favorite, is the "meat and Potatoes" Oak. All types, but lately QS. Second to that would have to be Walnut for it's amazing deep rich, "look into me" color.

[toolman]

I like working with Black Walnut, Cherry and Ambrosia Maple. But I use Poplar the most, Hard Maple and Mahogany would be the next most used.

[Keye]

I really love air dryed walnut. Wish I could build something out of some.

My wife loves cherry and I love my wife so cherry is the wood of choice for me.

Anybody else have the nerve to admit the truth.

[woodnick]

Anything that grows into a tree!

[NCPete]

Originally Posted by halfblind

I really love air dryed walnut. Wish I could build something out of some.

My wife loves cherry and I love my wife so cherry is the wood of choice for me.

Anybody else have the nerve to admit the truth.

my wife, like Jeremy's, likes painted wood

[sapwood]

Tough question Jeff
Sorta like asking what wine or beer is your favorite . . . I like variety.

So I'll go with walnut, maple, and oak (in no particular order).

Roger

[cskipper]

I know that this will come as a total surprise to most of you (cough, cough), but my favorite wood is quartersawn sycamore! Yes, seriously. Then walnut, maple and cherry. Of course free wood always moves to the top of the lit.

[LeftyTom]

Originally Posted by DaveO

I
But my most favorite wood is free....I'll take some of it anyday
Dave

+100

Originally Posted by cskipper

I know that this will come as a total surprise to most of you (cough, cough), but my favorite wood is quartersawn sycamore! Yes, seriously. Then walnut, maple and cherry. Of course free wood always moves to the top of the lit.

Kathy I'm with you on this one, my favorite is now sycamore, it over took red oak a little while ago. One thing I like about sycamore is it's interlocked grain. I also like that there is no real distinction from heart / sap wood. Sycamore has all the goodies, from curl, to ambrosia markings, it's nice when spalted too.

When you find a sycamore, it's usually the biggest and tallest tree in the woods and when you cut one down water runs out of the trunk. It's a dream to saw on the mill because of it's high moisture content. You don't need to be concerned with using blade lube, water runs out of the log just ahead of the blade. I recently cut almost 1500 BF of sycamore without changing or sharping the blade once. You just won't get that kind of mileage out of a band with oak.

Although flat sawn sycamore is a little bland, quarter sawing makes it look like a completely different wood, no wonder some people call it American lace wood.

Surprisingly (not) my least favorite is black walnut, it's down right nasty to saw on the mill. When green it stinks bad, stains just about everything it touches black and it a real pita to get a logs that saws well. I don't know why but I break at least one band on every batch of walnut I saw, it's not trash or anything like that. I pour on the lube and the bands just break for no apparent reason. I've cut many a walnut log and it's pretty much the same thing no matter what I try differently.

I can say I learned a little about how to process walnut, A guy can take a tight stack black walnut (no stickers) dump a bucket of well water on each layer, tightly cover with a tarp, and place in the direct sun. In a matter of a week or so all the sapwood will turn black like the heart wood. This needs to be done as the lumber is coming off the mill and when it still has that "green" color. Apparently the wet heartwood acts like a dye when mixed with water and heated. I think the bigger sawmills steam their walnut to bleed the heartwood color into the sapwood. But us small time guys can do the same with water and a tarp. I do it as people request it, but have not done this for any walnut I sold to NCWoodWorkers.

Thanks

[WoodWrangler]

Can't pass putting up my vote here ... gonna have to say Cherry is the color I personally prefer, however Walnut is very nice. I also really like Brazilian Cherry and Mahogany. And while I've never worked with the Sycamore, what I've seen of it would make me think I'd like it a lot!

Least favorite ... MDF ... wait, that's not wood

[tonyps]

Have to say I agree with you Jeff. Sycamore is awesome, followed by Cherry, Red Oak, White Oak, Maple, Black Walnut, and coming up fast, Alder.

Best to all,

Tony ...

[jimwill48]

Ambrosia Maple, "nuff said. But I use lots of popular and when you get some good grain it looks very good.

JW

[Tar Heel]

Walnut tops my list. I really like the rich color when it is finished properly. We renovated our kitchen with walnut cabinets. The decorator who came to do the drapes said she had never seen a walnut kitchen. First time for everything I guess. Cherry comes in second. Oak of any kind is at the bottom of my list.

Looks like most everyone like ole nasty walnut and cherry. Now Cherry is much better it has the smell of a mild womans purfume, but walnut need I say more?

[DaveO]

Originally Posted by jeff...

but walnut need I say more?

That's what you say about Red Oak too You need to get you some nose plugs, and keep cuttin' that beautiful wood

Dave