Category: Wood For Woodwork

This category is all about wood for woodwork and explains all of the different types of wood you may come across.  It covers everything from real wood to man-made woods such as MDF and plywood.

  • Dining table with finish

    Is Cedar Too Soft For A Table? I Made A Discovery 

    I have been exploring different uses for Cedar simply because I have a big pile of it. The wood looks beautiful, and I wanted to have a table with a similar grain. So, I went against the woodworker bro wisdom common on the internet forums and decided to build a Cedar table. Is cedar too…

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  • Smelling Linseed oil on wood

    Does All Cedar Wood Smell? My Experience With Cedar

    I was purchasing cedar for a siding project and overheard a kid complaining to his dad about the smell of the lumber. It triggered memories of the first time I went cedar shopping around 19 years ago. Back then, I spent hours looking for Cedar that doesn’t smell. All cedar wood smells with citrus and…

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  • How Far Can Plywood Span

    How Far Can Plywood Span? The Ultimate Guide

    Two days ago, my friend called me asking how far plywood could span. I gave him an answer thinking he was setting up a shelf. A few hours later, he called, frustrated about how it didn’t seem to balance, and the floor would not be stable.  “The floor?” I asked as I realized he was…

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  • sanding MDF

    Can You Sand MDF? My 20 Yrs Of Sanding MDF 

    As a cabinetmaker, I absolutely have spent a long time over the last 20 years sanding MDF. We commonly used MDF on kitchen doors when they had to be painted so sanding was a must. I still get asked, can you sand MDF? MDF can be sanded conveniently with a hand sanding block or electric…

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  • MDF door linings any good

    Are MDF Door Linings Any Good? Door Frame Casing Issues

    During my years as a cabinetmaker, I noticed a lot of new homes were opting for MDF door linings and MDF door frames. MDF certainly helps with cost-cutting but I was always hesitant and wondered are MDF door linings any good. I sort of knew the answer but thought I would put some research into…

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  • Does MDF need to acclimate

    Does MDF Need To Acclimate? Try These Tips 

    I procrastinate after getting all the materials for my projects. And usually, this is productive because the materials, usually wood, need to acclimate to the atmosphere of the location where it is used. My current project is an MDF baseboard, and I am having a hard time justifying the delay because MDF doesn’t need to…

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