Thursday, March 3, 2011

Tips for Choosing the Best Figured Wood

By Curtis Cadenza


For those who may not be familiar with woodturning, I will outline a definition for it. This art form is an ancient process that began in the third century BC by the Egyptians. Since then, many refinements have been made to the tools used, but the concept remains similar. Woodworkers prefer using soft woods, such as Maple, for turning bowls and pens, as it is cut more easily.

Lacking a knowledge of trees would make it difficult to tell the difference between the unique varieties.

Figured wood, where the grain pattern is disrupted by swirls and whorls, is particularly valuable; in fact, due to its uniqueness and the quality, even a single board could cost hundreds of dollars. The most highly figured wood is used often for lids on jewelry boxes and other items that can show off color and texture. A skilled woodworker may consider a pile of stacked wood and envision the kinds of products that could be created from them. Those who are not knowledgeable of what a piece can produce, on the other hand, may think it to be simply an eyesore that should be burned or carted away. It can be difficult to tell the potential of maple and other woods until it is completed as a finished piece by an experienced craftsman.

You should take into consideration which species of tree is best suited for your particular craft, and the intended design that you are basing your creation on. Highly figured designs in the wood grain are extremely desirable, and add depth and color to wood objects.

One growth abberation known as a burl can be seen, usually on the lower trunks, of some trees. These types of growths are a result of unusual environmental factors that the tree experiences early in life.

Because of the beautiful textures and designs that appear as a result of burling, they are highly prized and often expensive, but work beautifully as a foundation from which large objects may be sculpted.

Maple is the most costly raw wood for woodturning projects. However, these types of wood, particularly in their erratic burl forms, can be used to produce artistic pieces of great quality. What may be seen as "defects" by many, a wood turner makes into beautiful works of art, which can hold great value, both monetary and sentimental.




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