Starting a new woodworking project is always exciting. And one of the best parts is going to the lumberyard to choose the wood to become parts of that project. The lumber you choose will not only determine the appearance of the project, but also play a role in how easily it goes together. With this in mind, I’ve created a checklist of things to consider as you look over boards. These lumber-buying tips will help ensure great woodworking results every time.
As you pick through boards, it’s easy to get caught up in the beautiful figure pattern of an individual board. But it’s important to remember that most of these boards will get cut up, moved around, and reassembled into something functional. As a result, the figure that looks so attractive on a board by itself might get a little busy on a piece of furniture. Considering that, I usually opt for boards with straight, consistent grain when I’m building furniture projects. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to the figure you choose. Just remember that with subtle figure, you are more likely to notice the design of the project. With highly figured wood, you’ll probably notice the wood first.
Just as with figure, color is an important consideration when it comes to choosing boards. You might think that buying boards of the same wood species would take care of this, but as you can see, there can be some wide variations in color even among boards of the same species. It's a good idea to pull boards down from the rack and line them up side by side. This way, you can really see how consistent the look will be from board to board.
Try to have a clear idea of what parts you’ll need for the project. Then, as you select boards, you can keep this in mind. For example, you may want to cut all the rails and stiles of a face frame out of the same board. Once you’re home, lay out the individual parts in chalk, so you’ll be sure they end up where you want in the finished project. Also mark knots, splits, and other defects, so you’ll know to avoid these areas.
