This reference guide provides technical specifications for common wood species used in furniture construction and woodworking projects. It details physical properties including Janka hardness ratings, grain characteristics, and mechanical workability to assist in material selection for specific structural or aesthetic requirements.
Wood Species Comparison Table
| Species | Janka Hardness (lbf) | Grain Type | Workability Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) | 1,010 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight; occasionally wavy | Responds well to steam bending; glues and finishes excellently. |
| White Oak (Quercus alba) | 1,360 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight; coarse/uneven | High shrinkage rate; requires pre-drilling. Exceptional rot resistance. |
| Hard Maple (Acer saccharum) | 1,450 lbf (Wood Database) | Closed; fine/uniform | High density can cause tool burning; turns and glues well. |
| Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) | 950 lbf (Wood Database) | Fine; closed/straight | Easy to machine; susceptible to blotching when stained. |
| Red Oak (Quercus rubra) | 1,290 lbf (Wood Database) | Open; coarse | Easy to work with machine tools; open pores require filler for smooth finish. |
| White Ash (Fraxinus americana) | 1,320 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight; coarse | High shock resistance; responds well to steam bending. |
| Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) | 540 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight; uniform | Soft and easy to machine; can leave "fuzzy" surfaces if tools are dull. |
| Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) | 380 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight; even | Extremely easy to work with hand tools; prone to indentation. |
| Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) | 350 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight | Very soft and brittle; excellent natural resistance to decay. |
| Teak (Tectona grandis) | 1,070 lbf (Wood Database) | Straight; occasionally wavy | High silica content causes significant blunting of cutting edges. |
Glossary of Technical Terms
- Janka Hardness
- A measurement of the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. It measures the force required to embed an 11.28 mm (0.444 in) diameter steel ball into the wood to half the ball's diameter (USDA Forest Service).
- Open Grain
- Wood with large longitudinal cells (vessels) that appear as small pits or grooves on the surface, such as Oak or Ash. These often require grain filler for a glass-smooth finish.
- Closed Grain
- Wood with smaller pores that are not visible to the naked eye, resulting in a smoother surface texture, such as Maple or Cherry.
- Workability
- A qualitative assessment of how easily a wood species can be cut, shaped, and finished using hand or machine tools without significant defect or tool wear.
- Specific Gravity
- The ratio of the density of the wood to the density of water. This figure is used to estimate the weight and strength of the wood species (Wood Database).
Last verified: 2026-06-21