Things you should know about lumber

Before you begin the actual construction of a piece of furniture, it’s a good idea to have a basic knowledge of certain products, tools, and techniques. Familiarity with building materials will enable you to make proper selections for your project – and you can use materials other than those specified in plans if you are aware of their advantages and shortcomings. Although you may be reasonably adept at working with basic hand tools, check out the various types of power tools that can save you time and effort. Also, make it a point to learn how to put together basic furniture elements such as tabletops, drawers, and cabinet doors. The selection that follows is intended as a quick reference guide to some of the most important aspects of furniture building – from selection of the materials to applying the final finish.
Many different types of wood are used in furniture making. Each type has inherent qualities that affect its workability, appearance and durability. These qualities, plus the availability of the wood and its condition when purchased, usually determine its cost. Most furniture items can be made from any one of a number of woods – the type you select will be the strongest factor in the ultimate cost of your project.

Woods are divided into two broad categories: hardwoods and softwoods. These terms can be misleading; they refer to the kind of tree the wood comes from, not the characteristics of the wood. Hardwoods come from broad leafed (deciduous) trees, softwoods from evergreens (conifers). For this reason, some softwood – like yew and Douglas fir – are actually harder than so-called hardwoods like poplar, aspen, and Philippine mahogany. Balsa, the softest of woods, is technically a hardwood.

Hardwood is generally more expensive than softwoods. Mistakes in working with it can be relatively costly – a careless saw cut that might spoil a dollar’s worth of redwood (softwood) will ruin two or three times that investment in oak (hardwood).

Nevertheless, furniture builders often prefer hardwood, not only for its natural beauty but because it lends itself to precision workmanship. Though usually more difficult to work than softwood, hardwood responds handsomely to careful tooling. Satin-smooth surfaces and hairline joints can be the rewards of the conscientious handyman.

Unlike the highly standardized dimensions of common softwoods, hardwood is sold in odd lengths and sizes, usually unsurfaced. Knowing how to order both types of wood properly can save you money.

Almost all softwoods are easy to nail; most hardwood requires special fastening techniques. It is too tough to drive a nail through – if the wood doesn’t split, the nail doubles over. Therefore, holes must be drilled for nails as well as screws. The most commonly used “fastener” for hardwood furniture is glue – it has the great advantage of eliminating unsightly nail holes while, at the same time, it offers a strong bond. When using nails and screws as fasteners, use glue for added strength unless you want the joint to be demountable. Remember to allow extra time for the completion of a piece of furniture when you use glue.

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