Do You Have the Right Wood for Crafts?

Choosing the wrong kind of wood for a project can mean disasterous results. The wood could crack and break, or it might just mold and fall apart. If you're new to wood crafts, then it's not easy to know where to start. Find out about the different kinds of wood and what they're good for.

There are three major kinds of wood: softwood, hardwood and exotic woods. Soft wood comes from evergreen trees, including pine, cedar, redwood and cypress. As you might guess from the name, these woods are pliant and relatively soft, making it great wood for crafts. Some of these woods, especially cedar, are known for their fragrant scent. Softwoods are idea for carving; they don't splinter as easily as hardwood and they are easy to shape and cut.

Hardwoods, by contrast, or more brittle and sturdy. Some of the more common examples are cherry, hickory, maple, walnut, birch, mahogany, teak and oak. These woods are often used in furniture making or other crafts. These woods often feature a beautiful grain which can be further brought out with a good stain or varnish.

Finally, there is exotic wood for crafts, like balsa, bamboo, and many tropical species. It is hard to generalize about them as a group, since it is so diverse. Some woods, like purpleheart, named for its purple hue, are good for adding color to your laminations. Ebony wood is extremely dense and can be hard to work with. Mexican rosewood has a beautiful grain, which typically features a swirling pattern. It is a great choice for small, decorative projects.

When choosing wood for crafts, it's important to keep the end in mind. If you're planning to paint the finished product, you can use a cheaper wood like poplar. If you're creating a project you'd like to stain and display prominently, like furniture, you will want to choose something with a beautiful color and grain. Mahogany, maple or walnut are better choices for this.

If you're creating something that may be spending some time outdoors, you'll want to pick a wood that can resist the elements, especially water. Teak is good, but is growing increasingly expensive and difficult to find. Cypress makes a good alternative.

If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty, there are many more distinctions you can make when it comes to wood for crafts. If you are still having trouble deciding, talk to an experienced woodcrafter, a wood craft supplies store owner, or consult one of the many great books written on wood for crafts.