Novice woodworkers on the path to becoming confident woodworkers must learn the language and lingo to better understand instructions and advice.
1. Seasonal Wood Movement
When craftsmen work with wood, they must constantly keep in mind the concept of “Seasonal Wood Movement”, which is an ideal starting point. Basically, solid wood will expand in size when exposed to humidity, and contract when in a dry environment.
The fluctuation in size during various seasons can cause the joints in corners to break and modify the arrangement of wooden furniture, as well as produce cracks or warp the surface of a solid wood board.
Although every wood species has its own unique characteristics, red oak is known to expand and contract up to 3/16 of an inch across a 12-inch breadth. This implies that a solid wood tabletop measuring 36 inches across could experience a fluctuation of up to 1/2 inch in size within a year.
As wood size increases, its movement also increases proportionately, causing smaller pieces of wood to have lower degrees of movement. Plywood was invented to alleviate the issues resulting from seasonal wood movement, as it exhibits greater stability in comparison to solid wood.
2. Hardwood
Deciduous trees, which shed their leaves during autumn, comprise the majority of hardwood trees. The high-quality, sought-after species such as oak, walnut, maple and cherry are often utilized for creating furniture and cabinetry. Ash is specifically favored for manufacturing baseball bats, while hickory is preferred for crafting ax handles.
The woods are strong and notably difficult. Nevertheless, certain types of ‘hardwoods’ such as aspen, poplar, basswood and cottonwood are relatively soft. Aspen and poplar are suitable for furniture parts that are not visible, whereas basswood is extremely soft and used mainly for carving and architectural models.
4. Burl
Burls are stunning and intricately patterned types of wood. They are easily identifiable on the trunk of a tree, taking the form of an unattractive protrusion. Whenever a tree undergoes any form of damage, whether from a fungal infection or physical injury, it reacts by vigorously repairing the impacted region.
Instead of growing in a linear fashion like the rest of the tree, the burl heals rapidly and haphazardly, resulting in a tangled and twisted dome. Despite this, when the burl is cut, woodworkers highly value the stunning mix of dark and light grains that are interwoven beautifully.
5. Pitch
Pitch, also referred to as sap, is a natural substance produced by trees as a means of safeguarding themselves against infections and pests when they sustain injuries. The tree produces a viscous and robust anti-fungal and anti-bacterial liquid, which can result in the formation of pungent smelling pitch pockets. When trees are utilized in the production of lumber, pitch can cumulate on saw blades and drip onto work tables. Softwoods from trees like pine, spruce, and Douglas Fir typically contain pitch in varying amounts.
6. Cup
There are two reasons why wood can experience concave cupping. Boards that are cut closer to the center of the tree are more prone to curving due to differences in moisture and density on each side during the initial drying process. Additionally, cupping can happen when moisture affects one side of the board and not the other, resulting in the wet side shrinking and pulling the edges upwards as it dries.
7. Bow
When a board follows a curve on its surface, it is considered bowed. As trees have a natural taper, boards that are cut across the grain tend to have a bow or curve. This curve is an organic result of the transformation from a living tree to a rectangular piece of lumber and reflects the shifting grain pattern. Straight boards, on the other hand, conform to the grain.
8. Warp
A board that is both bowed and cupped is referred to as a warp, which is complicated to straighten and should be prevented. As timber is cut into rectangular shapes at the sawmill, the natural tension in the wood fibers causes the board to contort in various ways during the drying process.
It is common for timber to warp around sizeable knots, where the wood fibers twist around the spot where a tree branch had grown. To work with such a piece of lumber, you can shorten it into smaller chunks to reduce the extent of the curve. Using a tablesaw on a warped board is not recommended.
9. Wood Grain
The wood grain pattern varies among different types of wood and is determined by the method used to cut the lumber from the tree. Oak and ash have an open-pore wood grain and texture, while maple, cherry, and sycamore have a closed grain which appears smoother both visually and tactilely.
The majority of lumber is flat-sawn and displays a classic arched grain pattern known as cathedrals. On the other hand, rift-sawn lumber has a straight, linear grain, and quarter-sawn lumber showcases reflective rays, such as in the white oak used in Arts and Crafts furniture.
Every rectangular timber has three unique surfaces: the long grain and end grain, also known as the face and edge grain. The face grain is the widest section of the board that we usually see.
This can be exemplified by tabletops, cabinet doors, and drawer faces. Face grain and narrower edge grain, which exhibit linear grain patterns, are optimal surfaces for bonding lumber to produce bigger components.
10. End Grain
If you cut a piece of wood to the desired length, its end grain will be exposed, which is the same texture you observe when peering into the stump of a tree. End grain is more permeable than long grain, and hence it does not have a secure bond when glued.
Due to its porosity, the end grain is capable of absorbing various finishes such as lacquer or polyurethane in a distinct manner, resulting in a darker and denser appearance compared to the adjoining long grain. Skilled woodworkers utilize this tonal contrast to emphasize their fine craftsmanship.
11. Rough Cut Lumber
Wood that has been cut from a tree but has not undergone planing or sanding is known as rough cut lumber. This kind of wood is alternatively referred to as green lumber because it has not yet been subjected to drying processes. Typically, rough cut lumber finds its most common applications in construction tasks, such as framing or developing support structures.
12. Grain Pattern
The wood grain pattern is the direction, shape, and appearance of the wood fibers. The wood grain can be straight, wavy, or irregular. It is important to know the direction of the grain when working with wood. The grain direction affects the strength of the wood and the way it responds to changes in temperature and moisture.
13. Dressed Lumber
The intention is to achieve a board suitable for use in various woodworking projects by using a thickness planer, jointer, and occasionally a table saw to create a uniform thickness and square edges on lumber that has been surfaced on two or more sides. Thus, all the faces should be of the same thickness.
14. Dimensional Lumber
Dimensional lumber is a type of timber that has been precisely cut to certain measurements. It comes in different widths and depths, with two by four inches being a popular size.
15. Kiln Dried Wood
Wood that has gone through kiln drying is typically utilized for cabinetry or furniture. This method involves removing moisture from the wood, resulting in a more durable and less susceptible to warping or cracking product. Kiln dried wood is also less prone to insect damage or decay.
Although kiln dried wood is generally pricier than air-dried wood, it is a worthy investment if you aspire to craft a furniture item that will endure for multiple generations.
16. Pressure Treated Lumber
Wood that has been treated with a preservative to make it resistant to rot and decay is known as pressure treated lumber. It is commonly used in outdoor projects because it can endure the elements better compared to untreated wood.
There are varying grades of pressure treated lumber with different levels of protection. The cost increases with higher grades. It is crucial to select the appropriate grade for your project since a lower grade may not offer sufficient defense against decay and rot.
It is necessary to wear a dust mask and gloves while handling pressure treated wood as a precautionary measure against inhaling the wood preservative.
17. Plywood
Thin layers of wooden veneer are used to create plywood, a type of wood panel that is produced through a manufacturing process. It is a preferred choice for many woodworking projects due to its robustness and long-lasting properties. Furniture, cabinets, and various household objects can all be fashioned from this versatile material.
18. Square Tool
One of the most significant tools in woodworking is the square tool which ensures that cuts are made perpendicular to the wood grain. It is also frequently employed to trace cutting and drilling lines.
19. Precision Square
Woodworkers utilize a precision square as an aid for measuring and delineating angles, which contains two perpendicular arms. This facilitates expedient and precise measurement and marking of angles. Additionally, a precision square can double as a level, ensuring that the woodworker’s undertakings are accurately horizontal or vertical.
20. Speed Square
A rafter square or carpentry square is also referred to as a Speed Square, and serves as a woodworking tool that enables you to achieve accurate cuts.
21. Combination Square
The utilization of a combination square enables individuals to detect and label 90-degree and 45-degree angles with the additional ability to measure the depth of dadoes and rabbets. The square’s head comes equipped with a spirit level and a ruler that can be secured with a thumbscrew.
22. Framing Square
Carpenters make use of a tool referred to as the framing square. This tool is L-shaped and features two arms that are equivalent in length. One of the arms is designated as the blade, while the other is referred to as the stock. Its main purpose is to mark out right angles onto wood and can also be utilized to check if a wooden piece is square.
A framing square is an adaptable instrument that every person who works with wood ought to possess in their toolkit. Having the knowledge of its usage is crucial for individuals who desire to pursue woodworking as a hobby or profession.
23. Sliding Bevel
The Sliding Bevel is a tool employed in woodworking for forming or conveying angles. It is composed of a blade with a bonded handle, and a stock that allows the blade to slide through it. By employing a thumbscrew or alike mechanism, the blade can be secured at any given angle.
24. Layout
The placement of wood on a workbench prior to cutting is referred to as layout, which determines the positioning of each piece and its method of connection. Understanding the fundamentals of layout is critical for woodworkers to optimize their material utilization while minimizing waste.
25. Traditional Hand Saw
For many centuries, a woodworking tool called the traditional hand saw has been utilized. It involves a blade attached to double handles, which enable the operator to slice wood by drawing the blade nearer to themselves. The traditional hand saw is ideal for meticulous cuts and capable of making both straight and curved ones.
26. Pull Saw
Pull saws, which are intended to be pulled rather than pushed, provide improved control and deliver a neater cut. They are well-suited for woodworking undertakings, notably those that necessitate fine cuts. The Japanese-style saw and the coping saw are among the various types of pull saws available.
27. Backsaw
The backsaw is predominantly utilized in woodworking for the purpose of cutting joints like dovetails and tenons. Its blade is stiffer than that of a coping saw and wider than a typical handsaw.
The spine of the saw is formed by its back and extends from the handle to the teeth, enhancing the blade’s stiffness, resulting in more accurate cuts. However, the drawback of this configuration is its inability to facilitate curved cuts since the blade cannot be rotated.
28. Hand Planes
Various types of hand planes are available for woodworking, which enable users to smooth or modify the thickness of wood. These hand planes serve different functions, and some popular options include the block plane, smoothing plane, and jack plane.
It is crucial to maintain the wood’s movement in sync with the blade while utilizing a hand plane to achieve a consistent and sleek surface. Begin by trimming a small portion from one end of the wood and then gradually progress towards the opposite side. Avoid exerting excessive force as it might harm the wood.
29. Hone
It is likely that you are familiar with the term “hone in on”. This is due to the fact that when you hone an object, you are refining it to make it more concentrated. For instance, when working with wood, you might employ a honing stone to refine your chisels or plane blades.
Compared to grinding, honing eliminates a smaller amount of material from the blade, rendering it a suitable choice for minor touch-ups amid major sharpening sessions. It also proves to be ideal for woodworking tools that are already fairly sharp, but just require a slight sharpening.
