Essential Wood Book: The Woodworker's Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber

Tim Snyder has served as executive editor of American Woodworker and Fine Homebuilding magazines, as a book division editor at the Taunton Press, and as co-author with Norm Abrams of two New Yankee Workshop books. Recently named editor of Woodcraft magazine, Snyder previously built a reputation as a freelance writer for national home improvement and home repair franchises such as DrEnergySaver.com, ContractorNation.com, and BasementSystems.com. He has also worked as a finish carpenter and completed major home renovation projects with his wife Barbara. The Snyders live in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Introduction







Chapter 1: Native American Woods



Ash, Beech, Birch, Boxelder, Cherry, American Chestnut, Cyprus, Elm, Hickory, Holly, Maple, Oak, Red Oak, White Oak, Osage Orange, White Pine, Yellow Poplar, Red Alder, Western Red Cedar, Redwood, Royal Paulownia, Sassafrass, Sycamore, Black Walnut







Chapter 2: Exotic Woods



Bamboo, Cedar, Ebony, Ipe, Koa, Lacewood, Mahogany, Black Palm, Purpleheart, Teak, Wenge, Yellowheart, Zebrawood







Chapter 3: Plywood



Man-Made Woodworking Materials



Sheet Goods for the Shop







Chapter 4: Unique Wood Sources



Get a Grip on Lumber Grades



Making Good with Salvaged Wood



Buyer's Guide to Mills



Hardwood Lumber



Wood for Outdoor Projects



Hunting Backyard Exotics







Chapter 5: Wood Characteristics



Mixing and Matching Woods



Talking Figure



Taming Wild Wood



Their Two Scents' Worth



Discolorations



Hardwood, Heartwood, and Hard Wood



Spalted



Toxic Woods







Chapter 6: Working with Wood



Squaring Up Rough Lumber



Wood Movement







Chapter 7: Storage and Drying



Lumber and Sheet Storage Rack



How to Air Dry Lumber



Acclimating Wood



Stock Options: Air or Kiln Dried?