Tannins in wood are natural compounds that help protect trees from insects, rot and other threats. They’re a tree’s best defense mechanism. Although tannins confer durability to wood, they can pose other kinds of problems for woodworkers: dark stains, color shifts and paint…
Carpenters use wood to make houses, furniture and lots of useful stuff. But not all carpenters do the same job. Some specialize in strong building frames, while others concern themselves with fine details like cabinets and furniture. Carpentry is categorized according to the…
Ammonia fuming is a unique wood finishing process that brings out grain without using paint or stain. Instead of brushing anything on the surface, the wood changes color from the inside. The result is a rich, smoky appearance which highlights the grain…
For those who seek to preserve wood without the unpleasant odor, yellowing or lengthy drying times of oil-based stains, water-based polyurethane stands out as one of the best choices. It provides an incredibly clear finish, dries quickly and can be used indoors.…
Did you every go to a lumber yard and stand wondering why 2 pieces of wood look the same but one is much cheaper. The reason is wood grading. Wood grades describe to you how good a board is, and in…
Woodworkers are drawn to finishes that will make wood look richer, glossier and more alive. That happens to be what Nitrocellulose lacquer has been doing for almost a century. It dries fast, goes on in smooth, thin layers, and buffs to…
When it comes to choosing lumber for a project—whether it be for your garden shed or your beautiful indoor furniture, you can’t beat hardwoods over softwoods. Spruce and pine are two of the most popular options, used interchangeably. That can be confusing.…
Wipe-on polyurethane—often called “wipe-on poly”—is the go-to finish when you want the toughness of polyurethane with the easy, streak-free application of an oil finish. It’s thinned so you can apply it with a cloth, which makes it ideal for carved…
Have you ever seen a dark green bush or tree growing happily even in the deep shade of a garden? That is probably a yew tree. Yew trees belong to the Taxus family. People have been planting them and talking…
Have you ever wandered through a garden and spotted a tree that appears as though it’s from dinosaur times? That is the Araucaria tree. It’s like a “living fossil” because it has been on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs. These…
