Learn to choose the perfect wood species for your projects and prepare lumber for optimal results with expert guidance from our Prairie Craft craftsmen.
Wood selection is the most critical decision in furniture making, influencing everything from structural integrity to final appearance. At Prairie Craft Furniture Co., Ria Harman has refined these selection and preparation techniques through decades of creating custom furniture in Kansas, where we have access to exceptional hardwoods from sustainable sources.
This comprehensive guide shares our professional methods for choosing wood species, evaluating lumber quality, and preparing materials for optimal results. Whether you're selecting wood for a delicate jewelry box or a sturdy dining table, these principles ensure your projects start with the finest possible materials.
Each wood species brings unique properties that determine its suitability for different applications. Ria Harman's selection philosophy at Prairie Craft emphasizes matching wood characteristics to project requirements, considering factors like workability, stability, appearance, and durability.
Understanding density, hardness, and stability helps predict how wood will behave during construction and use. Dense woods like maple and oak provide durability but require sharp tools and careful technique. Softer woods like pine and poplar machine easily but may not hold detail or resist dents.
Prairie Craft Selection Rule: Always consider the end use when selecting species. Dining table tops require different properties than cabinet backs. Match the wood's strengths to the application's demands.
The USDA Forest Products Laboratory provides comprehensive technical data on North American wood species, including strength properties and identification features.
Grain pattern significantly impacts both appearance and structural properties. Ria Harman teaches that understanding grain orientation is essential for predicting wood movement, optimizing strength, and achieving desired visual effects in finished pieces.
Most economical cut
Wide boards, cathedral grain patterns, greatest movement across width. Good for painted surfaces.
Maximum stability
Ray patterns visible, minimal movement, higher cost. Preferred for table tops and panels.
Straight grain lines
Uniform appearance, good stability, premium price. Ideal for visible frame members.
Figured wood commands premium prices due to its exceptional beauty and rarity. Bird's eye maple, tiger maple, and curly cherry result from growth irregularities that create stunning visual effects. These woods require careful handling and finishing to highlight their unique characteristics.
Book matching creates mirror images by opening consecutive boards like book pages. Slip matching maintains grain direction for continuous patterns. End matching extends patterns across panel lengths. These techniques require careful lumber selection and skilled execution but create stunning visual effects.
Professional Tip: When selecting lumber for grain matching, choose boards from the same tree whenever possible. Wood from the same log will have similar color and grain characteristics, making matching easier and more successful.
Understanding lumber grades helps you purchase appropriate quality for your project while managing costs effectively. The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) grading system provides standardized quality measurements that Ria Harman and our Prairie Craft team use for all lumber purchases.
Not all defects disqualify lumber for fine furniture. Sound knots can add character to rustic pieces. Pin knots in cherry and maple are often considered desirable. Sapwood in some species provides color contrast. Understanding which defects to accept and which to avoid saves money while maintaining quality.
Visible surfaces require higher grades (FAS or Select) for clean appearance. Hidden structural components can use lower grades (#1 or #2 Common) effectively. Secondary surfaces may use #1 Common grade. Matching grade to application optimizes both quality and cost.
The National Hardwood Lumber Association provides complete grading rules and inspection training for professional lumber evaluation.
Proper moisture content is crucial for stable furniture construction. Wood continues to exchange moisture with its environment after construction, causing expansion and contraction. Ria Harman's experience shows that understanding and controlling moisture content prevents most construction problems.
6-8% moisture content
Matches typical interior humidity levels. Provides stability while allowing for seasonal movement.
12-15% moisture content
Higher moisture matches outdoor conditions. Requires weather-resistant species and finishes.
Allow lumber to acclimate to workshop conditions before use. Stack boards with stickers for air circulation, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Check moisture content with electronic meters before milling. Acclimation typically requires 1-2 weeks depending on initial moisture content and environmental conditions.
Common Mistake: Using lumber immediately after delivery often results in warping, checking, or joint failure as the wood adjusts to shop conditions. Always allow proper acclimation time for stable results.
Skilled woodworkers know how to work around defects or incorporate them as design elements. Ria Harman teaches that understanding different defect types and their implications helps maximize lumber yield while maintaining quality standards.
Small defects can often be repaired with wood plugs, dutchman patches, or epoxy fills. Surface checks may close during milling. Bow and crook can be removed through careful resawing. The key is assessing whether remediation costs justify saving the lumber versus purchasing higher-grade material.
Proper milling sequence ensures dimensional stability and optimal results. The Prairie Craft methodology, developed by Ria Harman, follows time-tested procedures that professional furniture makers have used for generations.
Add 2-4 inches to final length for defect removal and jointing.
Remove any bow, cup, or twist. This becomes your reference surface.
Remove material from unjointed face, referencing off jointed face.
Reference off flat face for perfectly square edge.
Rip to width on table saw, referencing straight edge.
Crosscut to final dimensions with square, clean cuts.
Prairie Craft Method: Allow wood to rest between major milling operations, especially when removing significant material. Stress relief can cause movement that requires adjustment before final dimensioning.
Proper storage protects your lumber investment and ensures quality remains high until use. Ria Harman's storage methods at Prairie Craft maintain lumber condition regardless of seasonal changes or workshop conditions.
Support lumber every 16-24 inches to prevent sagging. Use stickers (thin strips) between layers for air circulation. Ensure stickers align vertically to prevent bowing. Weight the top of stacks to keep boards flat. Cover outdoor racks to protect from direct rain while allowing air circulation.
Maintain stable temperature and humidity when possible. Avoid storing lumber near heating equipment or in areas with extreme temperature swings. Good ventilation prevents condensation and fungal growth. Monitor storage areas with hygrometers to track conditions.
Rotate stock using first-in, first-out principles. Label lumber with species, grade, moisture content, and purchase date. Keep similar species together for easy selection. Maintain inventory records for project planning and reordering.
Sustainable forestry ensures future generations will have access to quality lumber. At Prairie Craft, Ria Harman prioritizes suppliers who practice responsible forest management and support local forest communities.
Forest Stewardship Council
Ensures responsible forest management practices that protect biodiversity and support local communities.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Promotes responsible forest practices across North America with emphasis on conservation and community involvement.
Purchasing lumber from local sawmills reduces transportation costs and environmental impact. Local species are naturally adapted to regional climate conditions. Building relationships with local suppliers often provides access to specialty lumber and custom sawing services.
The USDA Forest Service provides extensive information on forest management practices and wood products sustainability initiatives.
Mastering wood selection and preparation creates the foundation for exceptional furniture. The techniques outlined in this guide, developed through Ria Harman's years of experience at Prairie Craft, ensure your projects start with the finest possible materials prepared to the highest standards.
Remember that wood is a natural material with inherent variability. Learning to evaluate lumber quality, understand species characteristics, and prepare materials properly develops the judgment that separates skilled woodworkers from beginners. Each board tells a story—your job is to listen and respond appropriately.
Invest time in learning these fundamentals. The knowledge pays dividends throughout your woodworking journey, preventing problems, reducing waste, and ensuring your finished pieces reflect the quality of materials you started with.
Let Ria Harman and our Prairie Craft team help you select the perfect wood for your custom furniture piece.