WOOD INFORMATION

Dimensional Lumber (Solid Wood)

Softwoods are made from evergreen conifers examples include: Cedar, Douglas Fir, Redwood, Pine, Spruce

Most common, inexpensive, easy to cut, strength varies, consistent structure

Hardwoods are made from broadleaf, deciduous trees examples include: Balsa, Basswood, Birch, Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, Oak, and Poplar

Less common, more expensive, nice finish, strength varies, variation in structure, many are good for carving and turning

Construction Grade wood is hard to work with, and is often is wet, warped, and has many knots and cracks

Kiln-Dried wood is dried in a furnace, more consistent, straight, higher grade, more expensive, easier to work with

Plywood

Manufactured from thin layers of wood veneer glued together with adjacent layers having grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another

Benefits include reduced splitting, reduced expansion and shrinkage, increased structural strength, material consistency

Made from many types of wood: Birch, Maple and Oak are common

4 Grades (types): A and B or “Cabinet Grade” face and back veneers are sanded and free from defects, only a few small knots or discolorations, good for furniture and finish work. And C and D or “Construction Grade” face and back veneers are jointed, have large knots, plugs and cracks, good for rough construction projects

Reclaimed Wood

Wood retrieved from its original application, comes usually from lumber from decking, barns, factories, pallets, and warehouses

Must be inspected by CCA Staff: may contain toxic lead paint that must be scraped down; and may contain metal and nail shards that must be removed

WOOD INFORMATION

Masonite

Hardboard made of steam-cooked and pressure-molded wood fibers, finished with smooth burnished finish, and comes in large thin sheets, good for painting surface

No formaldehyde-based resins are used to bind the fibers

NOT ALLOWED

Particle Board

Engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings and sawdust and pressed with synthetic resin

Cheap, non-structural, non-durable, chips out easily, absorbs moisture, often has a fake finished veneer surface to imitate solid wood

Contains formaldehyde directly linked to throat cancer, dust and can cause headaches, allergies, nausea, and a burning sensation in the throat

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood into wood fibers and combining it with wax and resin, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure.

Swells and breaks when exposed to water, weak structure

Contains urea-formaldehyde a carcinogen causing allergy, and eye and lung irritation when cutting and sanding

Pressure Treated Lumber

Process that forces chemical preservatives into wood to protect from termites, insects and fungal decay, and weather

Contains wide range of toxic chemicals

*Wet stumps and lumber are not allowed- they will break blades and trigger Sawstop Brake Cartridges WOOD INFORMATION

Dimensional Lumber (Solid Wood) common lengths (in feet): 4’, 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’

The thickness and width listed at the lumber yard are not the actual physical dimensions of the wood:

Plywood sheet sizes (in feet): 2’ x 4’, 4’ x 4’, and 4’ x 8’, and 4’ x 10’

Plywood sheet thicknesses (in inches): 1/8”, 1/4”, 11/32” (3/8”), 7/16”, 15/32” (1/2”), 19/32” (5/8”), 23/32” (3/4”), 1 1/8”, 1 1/4”