What wood should i use?

[Wenjie Childers]

As a beginner in the world of woodworking i have a lot of things to learn to be able to build something. I have some tools that i purchased and some were gifts from my husband. But to be able to start with a project what type of wood should i use price matters since i will sure make a lot of mistakes in cutting. Hope to find an answer from this community....

[Ralph Sarc]

It depends what you’re going to build but to practice I’d suggest pine and MDF. Both are inexpensive, forgiving and great to play with!

Have fun!

[ray vile]

I would start out with pine, it's easy to cut and alot cheaper than the other wood that is available at the bigger home centers, these stores also have a scrap wood bin located close to where they do the lumber cutting, you can find some nice pcs. of wood there for next to nothing.

 

[steve kidd]

i agree with all the postings, here is another option. try a local cabinet maker for small scrap pieces for free, you might get a nice assortment of wood. dont expect enough wood to make a project but you might get some to experiment with.

 

[Ralph Sarc]

I agree with Sarah as I was at my local Habitat Restore the other day and picked up 2x4s for my model railroad layout for next to nothing!! I also found a low flow toilet a few months ago for 1/2 the big box boys!

[Steve Bennett]

I had forgotten about the habitat store. I have one about 30 miles away from me and last time i was there i notice alot of 2x4 and 2 x6 and 8 so i guess its time for me to make a trip there

[Wenjie Childers]

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR OPINIONS AND I WILL LITERALLY DO WHAT U SAID....CAN'T WAIT TO START ON MY FIRST PROJECT...WORKBENCH....I'LL POST PICS WHEN I START ON IT....AGAIN, THANK YOU....

[Geoff Simpson]

I also agree with TOMBOY, if your re-store carries that kind of product it's an excellent source for inexpensive wood.  I've even bought a couple of solid wood doors and ripped them down on a table saw to make shelving, etc. 

Apart from that, MDF will give you a forgiving product with a smooth surface to work on.  SPF (spruce/pine/fir) plywood is a good product for building dressers/cabinets or what have you.  Not the kind of thing you would use if you were a craftsman (which i am not) but it will still provide a nice end-product with sufficient sanding.

 

Good luck and welcome to the world of wood-butchery ;)

[anthonychan105]

Hi All,

 

I've got the same question as Wenjie. Not sure what wood to use for a 8'x24"x22" TV Stand. I'm planning to make that into 2 4' boxes(side by side) since it'll be way too heavy otherwise. Is it possible to go hardwood on top and then use clear fir or something for the rest? I'd like to minimize weight but keep the same overall look. Planning to use a Java Gel stain or something dark on the whole piece after.

 

Thanks!

Anthony

[Steve Bennett]

While I am just a beginner I dont see why you cant use dirrent wood. After all most cabinets are plywood carcass and then a nice wood face frame.

[Geoff Simpson]

Hi Anthony,

 

My opinion, build it out of plywood.  You can get amazing products out there, and a lot of people think that in order to do it correctly and make it look right you'll use dimensional lumber or specialty hardwood.  Birch or Maply plwood can be smooth on both sides and allow you create a solid carcass to build off of.  For myself, you can bet, if it's got a cube in the design, i've made it out of plwood. 

 

3/4" will give you the strength and a burly look that will help hold weight and keep from bowing. 1/2" for shelving if you want to shave off a couple pounds, 1/4" for the back.  As for the exposed edges, pick up some veneer edging (iron on) or, if you're looking for something more substantial, pick up some wood and rip down 3/4" wide strips and nail/glue them in place, sand them a little and then paint.  You can also use wood filler, spackle or what have you and fill the edge that way.  A little sanding with 220 grit or so afterwards and you've got a finished edge....i use this for exposed edges when they are within the cabinet as the finish is never perfect.

anthonychan105 said:

Hi All,

 

I've got the same question as Wenjie. Not sure what wood to use for a 8'x24"x22" TV Stand. I'm planning to make that into 2 4' boxes(side by side) since it'll be way too heavy otherwise. Is it possible to go hardwood on top and then use clear fir or something for the rest? I'd like to minimize weight but keep the same overall look. Planning to use a Java Gel stain or something dark on the whole piece after.

 

Thanks!

Anthony

[anthonychan105]

Interesting, I didn't think of using plywood out of something like maple! I'll look around and see what's available. Hopefully that'll save me a few bucks too! Stay tuned for pictures within the next weekend or 2.

 

Thanks!

Anthony

 

Geoff Simpson said:

Hi Anthony,

 

My opinion, build it out of plywood.  You can get amazing products out there, and a lot of people think that in order to do it correctly and make it look right you'll use dimensional lumber or specialty hardwood.  Birch or Maply plwood can be smooth on both sides and allow you create a solid carcass to build off of.  For myself, you can bet, if it's got a cube in the design, i've made it out of plwood. 

 

3/4" will give you the strength and a burly look that will help hold weight and keep from bowing. 1/2" for shelving if you want to shave off a couple pounds, 1/4" for the back.  As for the exposed edges, pick up some veneer edging (iron on) or, if you're looking for something more substantial, pick up some wood and rip down 3/4" wide strips and nail/glue them in place, sand them a little and then paint.  You can also use wood filler, spackle or what have you and fill the edge that way.  A little sanding with 220 grit or so afterwards and you've got a finished edge....i use this for exposed edges when they are within the cabinet as the finish is never perfect.

anthonychan105 said:

Hi All,

 

I've got the same question as Wenjie. Not sure what wood to use for a 8'x24"x22" TV Stand. I'm planning to make that into 2 4' boxes(side by side) since it'll be way too heavy otherwise. Is it possible to go hardwood on top and then use clear fir or something for the rest? I'd like to minimize weight but keep the same overall look. Planning to use a Java Gel stain or something dark on the whole piece after.

 

Thanks!

Anthony

[Geoff Simpson]

Pine, Maple, Birch, Oak... Your local big box DIY store will definately carry the first 4...don't forget specialty wood stores tho', you could find something cool like "Bamboo" plywood, bending plywood any and all types of exotic cabinet-wood....it's SO EXCITING!

 

ok, i'm done

 

anthonychan105 said:

Interesting, I didn't think of using plywood out of something like maple! I'll look around and see what's available. Hopefully that'll save me a few bucks too! Stay tuned for pictures within the next weekend or 2.

 

Thanks!

Anthony

 

Geoff Simpson said:

Hi Anthony,

 

My opinion, build it out of plywood.  You can get amazing products out there, and a lot of people think that in order to do it correctly and make it look right you'll use dimensional lumber or specialty hardwood.  Birch or Maply plwood can be smooth on both sides and allow you create a solid carcass to build off of.  For myself, you can bet, if it's got a cube in the design, i've made it out of plwood. 

 

3/4" will give you the strength and a burly look that will help hold weight and keep from bowing. 1/2" for shelving if you want to shave off a couple pounds, 1/4" for the back.  As for the exposed edges, pick up some veneer edging (iron on) or, if you're looking for something more substantial, pick up some wood and rip down 3/4" wide strips and nail/glue them in place, sand them a little and then paint.  You can also use wood filler, spackle or what have you and fill the edge that way.  A little sanding with 220 grit or so afterwards and you've got a finished edge....i use this for exposed edges when they are within the cabinet as the finish is never perfect.

anthonychan105 said:

Hi All,

 

I've got the same question as Wenjie. Not sure what wood to use for a 8'x24"x22" TV Stand. I'm planning to make that into 2 4' boxes(side by side) since it'll be way too heavy otherwise. Is it possible to go hardwood on top and then use clear fir or something for the rest? I'd like to minimize weight but keep the same overall look. Planning to use a Java Gel stain or something dark on the whole piece after.

 

Thanks!

Anthony