Thanks,Blake, good to know, now if I can just remember all of that.
Herb
Herb
Choosing Types of Wood
The type of wood you choose determines the beauty and strength of the finished piece. Many types of wood are available, from Oxford Wood Recycling, and each has its own properties. Here we’ve tried to explain the wood product making and buying process and what you can expect from some common types of species.
The way that the original log has been cut at the saw mill determines the strength and use of the final product. The main 3 types of milling processes are Plain , Quarter and Rift sawn.
Hardwoods are usually Plain or Quarter sawn and construction softwoods are generally Rift sawn. In a modern computer driven saw mill a softwood log will be processed in many different ways to maximise the yield from the log.
Plain sawn is for the large wide slabs that can be used for tables and furniture and flooring. Quarter sawn is the daddy of milling techniques and is expensive therefore usually used for furniture.
Quarter Sawn hardwood timber is the most stable and has attractive patterning. the growth rings are generally at 60 to 90 degrees to the face of the board.
Rift sawn softwood is used in construction for decks, framing, posts, flooring, fencing, beams , landscaping and barn timbers. The linear grain pattern is achieved by milling perpendicular to the logs growth rings on angles between 45 and 75 deg.
Construction softwood is mainly sourced from cold countries such as Canada, Nordics, Baltics and Russia, to keep the growth rings tight for strength and stability. Several other species of tree such as spruce and hemlock are also used but rarer. It this wood is intended for first fix use i.e. domestic woodwork that will not be seen when the project is complete such as timber frames and stud work. Scaffold boards and the majority of pallets are also made from whitewood. It may have some splits & stains and some warp.
The big DIY sheds sell a lot of whitewood that has been planed all round (PAR) so it is uniform and graded therefore being easy to transport, minimal splinters and gentle to the eye when buying.
Timber is still widely bought in imperial sizes, while being sold in metric. For example 4×2 means 4 inches by 2 inches. Retailers will supply 48mmx90mm, which is near enough identical. Metric sizes are also sold that don’t correspond to the popular imperial sizes but close enough!
In DIY sheds timber is sold in various lengths, common are 1.8m, 2.4m & 3m (apx 6′, 8′ & 10′). At OWR we stock a wider range of lengths including very short pieces. Please come and see us as we can cut to length and match your cutting list more accurately than a high st retailer.
Grading is an assessment of the structural strength of the timber. Key features assessed in grading are splits and knots, especially large knots at the edge of the wood. Graded wood is stamped with the grading details. For new floor joists and roofing requires use of graded timber To comply with building control. For most diy shed, decking planters etc there is no need to use graded timber.
The way that the original log has been cut at the saw mill determines the strength and use of the final product. The main 3 types of milling processes are Plain , Quarter and Rift sawn.
Hardwoods are usually Plain or Quarter sawn and construction softwoods are generally Rift sawn. In a modern computer driven saw mill a softwood log will be processed in many different ways to maximise the yield from the log.
Plain sawn is for the large wide slabs that can be used for tables and furniture and flooring. Quarter sawn is the daddy of milling techniques and is expensive therefore usually used for furniture.
Quarter Sawn hardwood timber is the most stable and has attractive patterning. the growth rings are generally at 60 to 90 degrees to the face of the board.
Rift sawn softwood is used in construction for decks, framing, posts, flooring, fencing, beams , landscaping and barn timbers. The linear grain pattern is achieved by milling perpendicular to the logs growth rings on angles between 45 and 75 deg.
Construction softwood is mainly sourced from cold countries such as Canada, Nordics, Baltics and Russia, to keep the growth rings tight for strength and stability. Several other species of tree such as spruce and hemlock are also used but rarer. It this wood is intended for first fix use i.e. domestic woodwork that will not be seen when the project is complete such as timber frames and stud work. Scaffold boards and the majority of pallets are also made from whitewood. It may have some splits & stains and some warp.
The big DIY sheds sell a lot of whitewood that has been planed all round (PAR) so it is uniform and graded therefore being easy to transport, minimal splinters and gentle to the eye when buying.
Timber is still widely bought in imperial sizes, while being sold in metric. For example 4×2 means 4 inches by 2 inches. Retailers will supply 48mmx90mm, which is near enough identical. Metric sizes are also sold that don’t correspond to the popular imperial sizes but close enough!
In DIY sheds timber is sold in various lengths, common are 1.8m, 2.4m & 3m (apx 6′, 8′ & 10′). At OWR we stock a wider range of lengths including very short pieces. Please come and see us as we can cut to length and match your cutting list more accurately than a high st retailer.
Grading is an assessment of the structural strength of the timber. Key features assessed in grading are splits and knots, especially large knots at the edge of the wood. Graded wood is stamped with the grading details. For new floor joists and roofing requires use of graded timber To comply with building control. For most diy shed, decking planters etc there is no need to use graded timber.
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The only woods I buy any more are wood that grows in my state. This includes plywood. My preference. However, I also use all the free wood I can get, and I don't care where it was grown, the point is it is FREE. And the type of wood I use is determined by what I will make from it. Right now I have a banjo in progress using pallet wood (unknown type), plywood, and several other types of wood.The type of wood you choose determines the beauty and strength of the finished piece. Many types of wood are available, from Oxford Wood Recycling, and each has its own properties.
And where might Oxford Wood Recycling be located? I'm thinking the shipping cost would not be worth buying from there for most of us.
@JOAT
Oxford Wood Recycling
Unit 4, Suffolk Way,
Abingdon OX14 5JX
01235 861228
[email protected]
It's "just" over the pond!!
Oxford Wood Recycling
Unit 4, Suffolk Way,
Abingdon OX14 5JX
01235 861228
[email protected]
It's "just" over the pond!!
And likely shipping would be killing. If you are in the US, why post a wood recycler in the UK? They do have them here, so why not an address or two here?@JOAT
Oxford Wood Recycling
Unit 4, Suffolk Way,
Abingdon OX14 5JX
01235 861228
[email protected]
It's "just" over the pond!!
@blakeluby Thank you for the tutorial. It is nice when someone in the business posts using their expertise to teach. Every once in a while, someone abuses that by being promotional. But your post is not at all. I hope our British members will check you out.
@JOAT
The intent of my previous post was to answer your question as to their location---as a heads up.
My intent was NOT to start a controversy.
Sorry if I offended anyone.
The intent of my previous post was to answer your question as to their location---as a heads up.
My intent was NOT to start a controversy.
Sorry if I offended anyone.
No offense taken Smitty. Looking for a USA address is a good idea to me. I hope Blake will post an address in the US (and elsewhere) if available. And I'd like for him to add more information about the qualities of differernt woods to help us learn about selecting the right material for different projects.
Didn't offend me, just made me curious as Hell.Sorry if I offended anyone.
The only woods I buy any more are wood that grows in my state. This includes plywood. .
Just curious, Theo, what does a plywood tree look like?
Not sure, never been on a plywood tree plantation, but as far as I can determine, they look similar to pallet trees. Not seen one of those either. I don't know if there are any pallet tree plantations in the US, or not.The only woods I buy any more are wood that grows in my state. This includes plywood. .
Just curious, Theo, what does a plywood tree look like?
For those not aware,
I started a new job in May for a saw mill equipment company in Quebec city. I am the technical rep for the forestry and mining industries and I have been to many saw mills already and haven't left the province of Quebec yet. WOW is the first comment that comes to mind. I have seen some mills that are SO BIG and others that are Ma & Pa outfits. Pulp and Paper mills are also big and soon I will be visiting panel mills for OSB and plywood. I knew that the Forestry Industry was a key player locally but I am in AWE ! If you have a minute, look up Resolute Forest Products, or ARBEC, or one mill I saw this week was Barette Lumber in Chapais Quebec. This week I went around the Lac St Jean area and north to Chibougamau and Chapais.2233 Kilometers (1388 miles) this week ! I love my job ! I have been looking at the Ford Explorer as a change of vehicle because I am often in remote areas and gravel roads. Anybody have one ? looking for some feedback.
I started a new job in May for a saw mill equipment company in Quebec city. I am the technical rep for the forestry and mining industries and I have been to many saw mills already and haven't left the province of Quebec yet. WOW is the first comment that comes to mind. I have seen some mills that are SO BIG and others that are Ma & Pa outfits. Pulp and Paper mills are also big and soon I will be visiting panel mills for OSB and plywood. I knew that the Forestry Industry was a key player locally but I am in AWE ! If you have a minute, look up Resolute Forest Products, or ARBEC, or one mill I saw this week was Barette Lumber in Chapais Quebec. This week I went around the Lac St Jean area and north to Chibougamau and Chapais.2233 Kilometers (1388 miles) this week ! I love my job ! I have been looking at the Ford Explorer as a change of vehicle because I am often in remote areas and gravel roads. Anybody have one ? looking for some feedback.
I haven't, but my older son did once. Dunno if it means anything, but right now he is driving a Chevy Suburban, 4X4.I have been looking at the Ford Explorer as a change of vehicle because I am often in remote areas and gravel roads. Anybody have one ? looking for some feedback.
Where I live you would never think there are sawmills in the area. But I have found out that there are at least 7 within 10 or 12 miles of my house. Most of them you can pass by and never known there is one there. There are at least 2 within the city limits of the county seat, but the only indication of them are a small, very small, sign at the entrance.
I had read somewhere that pallet tree plantations were becoming fewer and fewer. The last remaining are just hanging on by their nails. The workers are board.Not sure, never been on a plywood tree plantation, but as far as I can determine, they look similar to pallet trees. Not seen one of those either. I don't know if there are any pallet tree plantations in the US, or not.
Shame to hear. They must be sending most of them to North Carolina then, because there has been no shortage of free pallets. I think I will start using more of them, because there is some really nice wood in a lot of them, and that would provide a source of free wood, that was not grown in this state. Means I would have to make several changes in my cane designs, but I think with the different varieties of wood put together, I could make some fantastic looking canes.I had read somewhere that pallet tree plantations were becoming fewer and fewer. The last remaining are just hanging on by their nails. The workers are board.
So, thanks for the tip, I'll start stockpiling pallets, just in case. By the way, I have a bit of very nice Spanish Cedar saved for a project not yet determined. Got it from a free pallet. And if you wonder what type of wood is in pallets, free wood is always popular.
It just hit me. Right now I use 4 masters to make my canes. If I add pallet wood to the line it means I will have to drop 1 master, and make 2-3 more to take it's place, for a total of 5-6 masters. The building process/time will increase accordingly. Should make for some very nice canes tho. This means I will have to crank up my CNC - Coffee 'N Contemplation. I do love my CNC.
Actually, I do use only 4 masters to make a cane, but I have a lot of different shape cane handle designs, so swap the handle designs out as desired, to make different versions.
Taste Like Sawdust
Not helping with the Global food supply though. I heard they're unpalatable. >I had read somewhere that pallet tree plantations were becoming fewer and fewer. The last remaining are just hanging on by their nails. The workers are board.
piece of junk w/ worse CS...I have been looking at the Ford Explorer as a change of vehicle because I am often in remote areas and gravel roads. Anybody have one ? looking for some feedback.
I have seen so far 2 customers that start from logs and end up building pallets. There are several plants that buy cut lumber and just make the pallets but to start from logs is a complete operation. They even have large kilns to dry the wood first then make the pallets.
I am also looking at the Hyundai Sante Fe. Locally the Quebec provincial Police our version of State Troopers; are using the Explorer and everyone I have spoken to so far claims they love it ! I'm usually a Chevy man, I'm on my 4th Impala, but the GM full size SUVs are all V8s. I want a V6 and no turbos. My boss has a Ford Edge with the twin turbo Ecoboost engine and he has to use premium gas at a much higher cost. I want just a regular V6 that can run on regular gas. I also looked at the smaller SUVs but again they almost all have 4 cyl. with turbos. The amount of mileage I do I don't want the turbos for when they break the cost is usually high !
My younger son has a Hyundai. A week or so ago the serpentine belt broke. It is a V6, with overhead cams. And now all the valves are bent. Gonna cost whether he gets the heads repaired/replaced, or another engine. So, he got a VW with a Diesel. I'm thinking the new Chevy SUVs have V6s, but being as I'm not in the market, don't know for sure.I am also looking at the Hyundai Sante Fe.
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