Working with Softwoods
Woodworking with
Softwoods
Introduction:
If you
have noticed home improvement centers and
lumberyards, stock primarily soft wood. About 90%
of the wood materials they stock is softwood and
10% hardwood. The reason is that softwoods are
inexpensive and are readily available. Softwoods
are used primarily in construction although it is
used in some cabinet making.
Softwoods refer to the wood
from different species of trees such as evergreen
or coniferous trees. Hardwoods come from deciduous
trees. Softwoods grow fast and can be cultivated
easily. They typically produce straight trunks
which enables them to be harvested and processed
less expensively than hardwoods.
There are two types of
softwood, SPF and yellow pine. SPF means spruce,
white pine, and the Douglas fir. There are several
different species of these woods.
The color of the wood is one
of the greatest factors in choosing between the
softwood varieties as it can really affect how your
project will look once it's finished.
If you are a woodworker
working with softwoods, you should be aware that
softwood is usually milled wet. This means they
might not have had enough time to dry out and
shrink. In order to get wood that's relatively
closer to a usable state, ask for wood that has
been adequately kiln-dried so you'll have a more
consistent material to work on.
Keep in mind that different
tree species take stain differently.
To avoid having pine on one end and spruce
on the other, always buy from just one supplier,
and pick lumber from the same stack. When you're
buying SPF lumber, always select the straightest
boards with the fewest knots as possible.
If you are using softwoods for
other than a construction project allow a few weeks
for it to acclimatize before you use it. This will
help the wood to adjust to the local temperature
and reduce the woods pitch.
When
finishing a softwood project, always test the stain
on a piece of scrap wood before applying it to the
project for optimal results.
See related articles:
Waxing Wood Furniture
What You Should Know about Pressure Treated Wood
Wicker Furniture Repair
Wood Planers and Joiners
Wood
Staining with Aniline Dye Stain
Wood Shop Safety Rules
