Before we can begin talking about any type of woodworking project, it is important that we learn about the journey of our lumber. From the forest to the lumberyard, there is a complex journey which turns logs into lumber.
We have different types of lumber that come from different types of trees. When classifying lumber, we have two major groups, hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees, broad leaved trees which loose their leaves in the fall. Also, the cells in hardwoods are packed closely together. Some examples of hardwoods are oak, maple, and hickory.
Softwoods comes from coniferous or cone bearing trees. These trees are evergreens. They have needle-like leaves which they do not loose in the fall. The cells in softwoods are more spread out than those in hardwoods. Some examples of softwoods are pine, fir, and cedar.
The process of cutting down trees is called felling. Although the use of man and chainsaw is still found today, there are machines which can harvest lumber more efficiently and leave less damage in the forest. Once the logs are on the ground the limbs are cut off, and the logs are cut to a specified length. Trucks are then loaded, and the lumber is taken to the mill to be processed. Once the lumber is cut, it is placed into a kiln, which dries the wood to a specific moisture content.
Click the link below to check out how a lumber mill operates!
Deconstruction: Building a House: Wood Processing
When selecting lumber, it is important to take in some considerations. Be sure to check for defects in the lumber. Some defects to avoid when purchasing lumber would be: bows, warps, and cups. These defects can affect the outcome of your projects. It might be worth the extra time that it takes to pick through the piles of lumber and be sure that you are purchasing quality material.
Another important aspect of preparing a project is being sure that you have the proper plans. Whether you are coming up with your own creative designs, or changing an existing plan, it is important to take the time to plan out your projects. It is much easier to make changes on a piece of paper, not in the middle of construction in the shop.
One last item to consider before beginning your woodworking project: make sure all of your tools and machines are functioning properly. SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR! Working in a shop setting is dangerous enough as at is, so please take the time to check your equipment.
Safety..First, last, and always!
Over the next few weeks, I will be posting a lesson on safe working habits while in the shop. For now, you have a little knowledge about types of wood, the milling process, and some basic tips on beginning a project. Keep in mind, that the steps in beginning a project can be applied for many different woodworking projects. Good luck, and stay safe when working!
References:
Deconstruction: Building a House: Wood Processing. Retrieved November 16, 2011 from http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/36912-deconstruction-building-a-house-wood-processing-video.htm
Hacker, M. and Burghardt, D. (2004). Technology Education Learning by Design. New Jersey: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
Log Image. Retrieved November 16, 2011 from www.fordaq.com
Safety First Image. Retrieved November 16, 2011 from:bigstock_Safety_First_Vector_7506065
Wood creates beautiful pieces. Most pieces that are made from ‘solid’ wood can be very expensive, compared to pieces made from ‘plywood’. What is the difference?
Sometimes you want to paint the wood, or make it gleam. What are some ways to prepare wood for paint / stain? What are some ways to protect the wood once you finish your project?
Hi Jennie,
The more expensive pieces that are created out of solid wood are created from actual wood pieces, whereas the less expensive pieces might be made out of a press board type of material. This type of material is made from compressed, glued sawdust.
When you are ready to apply a finish such as stain, paint, or clear-coats, be sure that the work piece is sanded clean. Be sure any marks are removed, and any dust or dirt is cleaned up well. After you apply stain, many times a clear protective coat can be applied to seal in the stain and protect the project. When applying a finish, it really depends on the project, you want to be sure that you are using the correct finishing products.
Hi Stephen,
I am sending my comment again, please delete if you already received it. Sorry!
What a great choice to include a video about the milling of lumber as part of your first blog post. I found it very informative and definitely applicable to those interested in visiting your site to learn more about working and crafting with wood. Also, including the ‘SAFETY FIRST’ icon will help reinforce the importance of this in a wood-working shop, and it seems as though you are setting the stage for your next post about “safe working habits while in the shop”.
Starting thinking about what kind of link I might want to share with you, and I came up with this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW4LcKuYnPg
After watching this video, it reminded me a neighbor’s mechanic husband that become partially blind in one eye when a piece of metal shaving from a car he was fixing, landed in his eye. Needless to say, he was not wearing safety glasses at the time. He went through a couple of surgeries and still does not have full eyesight in the injured eye. It seems like such a worthwhile message to share with those students you work with as a tech ed teacher. Hope you enjoy it!
Your site looks really terrific!
Monica
I think shop, is one of the underrated aspects in school. Sometimes students just take things for granted like lumber. They walk into home depot with a family member or relative and just see the processed wood there, not knowing where it came from or how it got there. One thing I could suggest is maybe showing a clip from the show how it’s made or something along the lines of dirty jobs. I wouldn’t go the route of axe men because it doesn’t follow the process of the wood after it’s cut and trucked out. But, giving kids the visual gives them a little more appreciation of what they are dealing with.
http://img.anongallery.org/img/0/7/identifying-wood-yep-its-wood.jpg