So.... we were discussing wood prices, then we got on a tangent about wood types. I researched and found a great how-to article on picking wood for projects!
i recently made Ana's simple modern lounger as my first project. Since it was my first project, i used cheap wood (pine). I plan on building more in the collection, but do i have to worry about this type of wood for my outdoor project? or do i need to use a higher quality wood? should i be worried about termites?
i recently made Ana's simple modern lounger as my first project. Since it was my first project, i used cheap wood (pine). I plan on building more in the collection, but do i have to worry about this type of wood for my outdoor project? or do i need to use a higher quality wood? should i be worried about termites?
For outdoor use, it would be best to use cedar which is naturally termite repelling or pressure treated lumber. If you were using any furniture in an outdoor area where it is protected by cover, you could possibly get away with regular lumbar but painted with all weather paint. You should be careful though of any part that will be on the ground/concrete etc. These contact points ar where moisture will build up and rot the wood.
If you have the money, I thought it would be interesting to build with the engineered planks like Trex that is for decking. Never done it but an interesting thought. I'm considering making a dog house out of that. :)
I'd be interested in hearing how a Trex project would turn out - I don't think they make anything but actual deck boards in that material though, right? So for structure you'd have to do something else. Unless I'm way off on my assumption that they only do deck boards.
i recently made Ana's simple modern lounger as my first project. Since it was my first project, i used cheap wood (pine). I plan on building more in the collection, but do i have to worry about this type of wood for my outdoor project? or do i need to use a higher quality wood? should i be worried about termites?
For outdoor use, it would be best to use cedar which is naturally termite repelling or pressure treated lumber. If you were using any furniture in an outdoor area where it is protected by cover, you could possibly get away with regular lumbar but painted with all weather paint. You should be careful though of any part that will be on the ground/concrete etc. These contact points ar where moisture will build up and rot the wood.
If you have the money, I thought it would be interesting to build with the engineered planks like Trex that is for decking. Never done it but an interesting thought. I'm considering making a dog house out of that. :)
I'm planning to build a faux fireplace/bookshelf combo for my living room. I made the plans in SolidWorks already, and now just have to figure out what wood I want to use.
The different colors denote different dimensional lumber widths. Well actually, purple is just plywood, and the yellow tops are 1x12 but maybe in a different material like a stain-grade board. Green is 1x10, pink is 1x12 that will definitely be painted, and most of the blue is 1x2. The thicker blue trim at top and bottom is 1x4. Also, technically 1x means 0.75" thick, but because this is going to be painted, I won't need to use stain-grade wood and can use plywood and mdf instead (or just splurge on the wood for the trim).
Also, there will be two bookshelves, but only the one on the left is modeled here.
My question is, can I use plywood for the whole thing? With a table saw, ripping all of the trim shouldn't be a problem. I am worried about painting the edges though, even after sanding. If I do use pine 1x2s for the trim, I'll just have to go back and change the dimensions in the model to 0.75" thick instead of the 0.5" thick they are now (since I originally assumed I could use plywood or mdf for the trim). Thanks for any input! I'll be sure to post photos when I'm done.
Annie, you could use plywood if you picked a good quality plywood. Quality plywood is expensive though. Baltic birch is very nice, stable with minimal/no voids. Both the surface and the end look decent. It's a popular choice for high end cabinets, especially if they will be covered later with a different surface treatment like formica. Best national source for it that I've found in Menards, but ask at your local lumberyard if you don't have a Menards handy.
I'm still unsure of what to get. I'm making the loft bed. I am thinking of going a head and using pine. The artical says to use hard wood for furniture and soft for framing. So I'm making a frame for a bed? I feel totally un-smart about this!
Softwoods in general don't stand up well to certain stresses. It's fine for the framing on a child's bed, but completely unsuitable for the framing on an adult's bed. It's perfect for a headboard though. If the bed is an adult's bed, spend the money to get hardwood for the frame. Stay away from the home center though, which charges for the wood as if it were gold. Most lumberyards can get at least oak and maple, and if it isn't already surfaced will probably be willing to do that for you.
suzieandjesse
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 06:22
Great resource, Carrie - thanks for sharing!
Carrie and 3Chicks
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 04:41
No problem. There are a lot more if you just search refurbished [insert brand here]
mensawood
Fri, 10/01/2010 - 12:17
i recently made Ana's simple modern lounger as my first project. Since it was my first project, i used cheap wood (pine). I plan on building more in the collection, but do i have to worry about this type of wood for my outdoor project? or do i need to use a higher quality wood? should i be worried about termites?
Carrie and 3Chicks
Fri, 10/01/2010 - 20:04
mensawood said:
For outdoor use, it would be best to use cedar which is naturally termite repelling or pressure treated lumber. If you were using any furniture in an outdoor area where it is protected by cover, you could possibly get away with regular lumbar but painted with all weather paint. You should be careful though of any part that will be on the ground/concrete etc. These contact points ar where moisture will build up and rot the wood.
If you have the money, I thought it would be interesting to build with the engineered planks like Trex that is for decking. Never done it but an interesting thought. I'm considering making a dog house out of that. :)
suzieandjesse
Mon, 10/04/2010 - 03:54
I'd be interested in hearing how a Trex project would turn out - I don't think they make anything but actual deck boards in that material though, right? So for structure you'd have to do something else. Unless I'm way off on my assumption that they only do deck boards.
mensawood
Mon, 10/04/2010 - 08:38
Carrie and 3Chicks said:
Thanks for the tip Carrie and 3 Chicks
chrisandpatience
Tue, 10/05/2010 - 02:41
Great post Carrie, Thanks.
annie
Wed, 02/02/2011 - 09:20
I'm planning to build a faux fireplace/bookshelf combo for my living room. I made the plans in SolidWorks already, and now just have to figure out what wood I want to use.
The different colors denote different dimensional lumber widths. Well actually, purple is just plywood, and the yellow tops are 1x12 but maybe in a different material like a stain-grade board. Green is 1x10, pink is 1x12 that will definitely be painted, and most of the blue is 1x2. The thicker blue trim at top and bottom is 1x4. Also, technically 1x means 0.75" thick, but because this is going to be painted, I won't need to use stain-grade wood and can use plywood and mdf instead (or just splurge on the wood for the trim).
Also, there will be two bookshelves, but only the one on the left is modeled here.
My question is, can I use plywood for the whole thing? With a table saw, ripping all of the trim shouldn't be a problem. I am worried about painting the edges though, even after sanding. If I do use pine 1x2s for the trim, I'll just have to go back and change the dimensions in the model to 0.75" thick instead of the 0.5" thick they are now (since I originally assumed I could use plywood or mdf for the trim). Thanks for any input! I'll be sure to post photos when I'm done.
claydowling
Wed, 02/02/2011 - 10:22
Annie, you could use plywood if you picked a good quality plywood. Quality plywood is expensive though. Baltic birch is very nice, stable with minimal/no voids. Both the surface and the end look decent. It's a popular choice for high end cabinets, especially if they will be covered later with a different surface treatment like formica. Best national source for it that I've found in Menards, but ask at your local lumberyard if you don't have a Menards handy.
sleeplessmom
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 08:44
I'm still unsure of what to get. I'm making the loft bed. I am thinking of going a head and using pine. The artical says to use hard wood for furniture and soft for framing. So I'm making a frame for a bed? I feel totally un-smart about this!
claydowling
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 09:18
Softwoods in general don't stand up well to certain stresses. It's fine for the framing on a child's bed, but completely unsuitable for the framing on an adult's bed. It's perfect for a headboard though. If the bed is an adult's bed, spend the money to get hardwood for the frame. Stay away from the home center though, which charges for the wood as if it were gold. Most lumberyards can get at least oak and maple, and if it isn't already surfaced will probably be willing to do that for you.