Ropdoc
11-17-2012, 09:41 AM
Hello Folks,
I have been stressing over the best types of wood to use in the Carvewright. I have never put time into thought over this. But now is the time. Below is what I have. I started putting them in order of favorites. Starting with best down to worst. Please change this as you see fit. My goal is for me to setup a list so when I purchase wood I get the best. And then below that is Grain structure.
1. Ash - good - WOW.. came off looking like a mirror... but have to watch for splits
2. Elm - good
3. Cherry - very clean, very consistant grain... very little prep before finishing
4. Walnut - great
5. Maple - great - Nice, very clear.. doesnt show much grain... but nice finsh
6. Hickory - great - inconsistant color, but much like Ash
7. White Oak - better, carves alright
8. Oak - looks great on bigger detail... grain is open, therefore chips on tiny stuff
9. Poplar - a little furry... needs fair amount of work before finishing
10. Pine - great - very furry, tears easily, plus deep detail tends to chip due to softness (not alot of grain, but lets the detail come through better)
11. Birch - got some haven't tried it yet
12. Red Oak - bad, to much cell in the grain
Any species of wood with a closed grain structure works well, while a very open pored wood tends to chip more. Below is a list of each:
Closed Grain Woods. Below are examples
Cherry
Naple
Open Grain Woods. Below are examples
Oak
Walnut
Mahagony
I have been stressing over the best types of wood to use in the Carvewright. I have never put time into thought over this. But now is the time. Below is what I have. I started putting them in order of favorites. Starting with best down to worst. Please change this as you see fit. My goal is for me to setup a list so when I purchase wood I get the best. And then below that is Grain structure.
1. Ash - good - WOW.. came off looking like a mirror... but have to watch for splits
2. Elm - good
3. Cherry - very clean, very consistant grain... very little prep before finishing
4. Walnut - great
5. Maple - great - Nice, very clear.. doesnt show much grain... but nice finsh
6. Hickory - great - inconsistant color, but much like Ash
7. White Oak - better, carves alright
8. Oak - looks great on bigger detail... grain is open, therefore chips on tiny stuff
9. Poplar - a little furry... needs fair amount of work before finishing
10. Pine - great - very furry, tears easily, plus deep detail tends to chip due to softness (not alot of grain, but lets the detail come through better)
11. Birch - got some haven't tried it yet
12. Red Oak - bad, to much cell in the grain
Any species of wood with a closed grain structure works well, while a very open pored wood tends to chip more. Below is a list of each:
Closed Grain Woods. Below are examples
Cherry
Naple
Open Grain Woods. Below are examples
Oak
Walnut
Mahagony