Did You Know?

If you have outdoor furniture made from wood, you've probably noticed that it changes color over time. If it's been outside for a long time - and you haven't sealed it properly - it's probably turned gray or silver  due to UV light and oxygen. I've built many outdoor projects - some from treated pine and others using cedar. It's pretty amazing, but after a few years you can't tell the different between the two.  All of them are that silver gray. Even inside your house wood wants to change color over time. This happens because UV light accelerates the oxidation process inside wood. For example, let's say I'm building something out of cherry. If the boards have been in my basement, away from direct sunlight, they are most likely a light color - almost straw color. Even if they've been in sunlight, when I cut them, the cut edges are that light straw color. However, when I'm finished with the build and take them upstairs and into sunlight, they start turning darker. Eventually, they turn the dark reddish-brown color we all know and love. Like the serving tray at the right. When I first started the build, the cherry was every close in color to the maple in the center. Many darker woods turn lighter and light woods turn darker. It's something woodworkers must take into account when choosing and building with any hardwood. Thanks for reading! See you next month. (Nov 2022)

For this first entry, I want to tell you a little about ambrosia maple which you may have already seen in some of my pieces.  Ambrosia maple is not a distinct type of maple (such as red maple or silver maple). Rather, what sometimes happens is maple logs are infested by the ambrosia beetle. As the  beetles bore through  the tree, a fungus tags along. 

The beetles create little holes which is one of the distinct features of ambrosia maple. Ambrosia maple is sometimes called "wormy maple" because of these little holes. The fungi are what create the streaks of discoloration in the wood.  While maple is a great wood to use in many woodworking projects, I think it can be a bit boring because it lacks a strong grain pattern.  Ambrosia maple is highly sought after by many woodworkers because of these streaks. 

At the right is an example of (unfinished) ambrosia maple. I am using it in a set of napkin holders that was commissioned by a friend. You can clearly see the streaks of color running vertically up the sides of the holder. If you look closely, you might be able to see a hole or two. If this were a cutting board, I would fill these holes with wood filler, a mix of wood glue and sawdust, or even a tinted cyanoacrylate (CA or super) glue.  However, for this piece I think they look pretty cool as they are.   (Feb 2022)

Occasionally a customer will contact me about one of my pieces they see posted but would like it in a different type of wood or need it in a different size. When I tell them I don’t have it in stock they thank me, but it’s clear they are disappointed. When I ask if they would like me to custom build one to their specifications, they politely decline. I understand this. They have something in mind and want it immediately. Everyone has done that at one time or another, whether its a piece of furniture, a car, or a computer. However, there can be just as much pleasure derived from ordering a custom piece. A custom order can often mean getting a piece that more closely matches what you want or need.  

For example, this past January a customer was interested in one of the long cutting boards. He liked the general design but wanted one larger and with a slightly different layout of the wood strips. I cut some strips of mahogany, walnut, and maple, laid them out in the pattern he described, and sent a picture to him. After tweaking the layout a bit, we agreed on the new design. A week later he picked it up and was very pleased with the result!  

In a more recent example, a customer asked me if I could build her a coat rack. She sent me a picture of one she found online. We talked about the type of finish, the type of wood, and the dimensions. That process was quick and easy. We decided it was going to be built using poplar and painted white. I would build it and delivery it to her and then she would paint it and install all the hardware. It was exactly what she wanted and it fit perfectly in the space where it would hang. 

There’s no right or wrong here. Its all about what you want or need. There are times you want a piece right now. Who doesn’t like immediately gratification? But there are situations where waiting can be rewarding as well. This is especially true in situations where what you want isn’t available immediately. Just something to keep in mind.  Take care and be safe!  (March 2022)