Eight Of The Most Popularly Used Softwoods
Posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2005
by cedarcreekwoodshop
Cedar Creek Woodshop
1. Avoid Cross Cutting - Plywood tends to chip the most when cut
across its width (grain). Cutting along the length of the wood
will help to reduce chipping.
2. Use the Right Blade - Special blades are manufactured for
different cutting jobs. The number of teeth, width, angle, and
rake of the blade all iSouthern Pine
Properly seasoned, it will work well without spliting or warping when nailed.
Easily pressure treated with preservatives. Holds paints well, accepts
stains, weathers naturally to a distinctive dark gray.
Douglas Fir/Larch
Excellent load-bearing capacity coupled with light weight. Noted for its
uniformly fine, striaght grian works well with machine or hand tools.
Sapwood is white in color heartwood is reddish-brown. May be painted,
but natural color is strong so staining is unnecessary.
Ponderosa/Sugar Pine
Soft, even-grained texture gives wood a smooth surface. Wood is creamy white to straw
with reddish knots. Comparatively free from pitch and resin pockets, it has littly
tendency to warp or twist. May be easily painted responds well to varnish, stain,
or lacquer finishing.
Englemann Spruce/Lodgepole Pine
Relatively light in weight and adaptable for most applications where exceptioinal strength
is not required. Wood is nearly white in color and takes all paint and stain finishes well.
Low shrinkage and swelling properties makes it dimensionally stable. Glued
joints hold up well under stress.
Hemlock
Strong and workable, it nails and saws easily without splintering. It is
generally free from pitch and is finished with a smooth, unblemished surface.
Color ranges from off-white to a reddish-brown heartwood. Stiffness
and strength make it suitable for most framing applications.
White Fir
Versatile wood with a light wight and soft texture, it is easily dressed
and sanded. It may be painted or stained with few problems. Widely used
in light constructions and residential applications for framing and utility
work.
White Spruce/White Pine
Straight grianed and uniformly textured for an attractive appearance.
Dimensionally stable and resistant to splintering, it is easily worked with
hand or machine tools. Relatively free from pitch or resin, and light in
color. Adapts to most light-toned finishes.
Western Red Cedar
Completely non-resinous wood, this is one of the most decay resistant
species available. It resists rot and decay in most outdoor applications
without preservatives. Narrow sapwood is almost pure white heartwood
varies from dark reddish-brown to light yellow. Dimensionally stable,
it is easily worked with hand tools.mpact the cut. Choose a blade that best
matches your specific cutting situation.
3. Circular Saw - cut with the "Best Face" down.
4. Table Saw - cut with the "Best Face" up.
5. Score the Cut First - Run the plywood through the saw removing
only a minimal amount of wood. The next cut will leave a cleaner
cut.
6. Masking Tape - Put masking tape over the cut line to help keep the
fibers on the edge from pulling up.
7. Backing Panel - Attach a backing panel with strong double stick
tape. The backer board will take the brunt of the damage.
8. Use a Router - A router fitted with a straight bit will cut a
clean line. A pilot bit and straight edge will help provide a clean line.
9. Score with a Utility Knife - Score the cut line with a utility
knife.
10. Buy a Panel Scoring Setup - Some saws can be fitted with a
plywood panel scoring setup and are ideal if you have to cut a lot of plywood. The setup consists of a smaller blade that scores the
surface of the plywood before it reaches the cutter.
Brought To You Courtesy:
http://www.cedarcreekwoodshop.com Cedar Creek Woodshop
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