Learn About Exotic Woods
Wood Guitar Rosettes: Species Selection, Inlay Techniques, and Fitting Tips for Luthiers
The most suitable wood guitar rosettes combine a type of wood with which the soundboard differs with another type of wood removed from the wood: Spanish Cedar or Sapele for...
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What Is Indian Laurel Wood? Properties, Uses, and Why Luthiers and Woodworkers Are Choosing It
It is an extremely hard tropical hardwood (Terminalia elliptica) originating from southern Asia, having a range of light to dark brown color heartwood and dark streaks along with a Janka...
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What Is the Best Wood for a Mandolin? A Part-by-Part Species Guide for Builders
However, there is no "best" wood for mandolin that can be described using just one species name. There are always a number of decisions to make since every part of...
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Beyond Pens: 7 Things You Can Make From Pen Blank Stock
Most turners have a few spare pen blanks or offcuts sitting on the shelf, and it's easy to assume they're only good for pens. In reality, the list of things...
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How to Finish an Exotic Wood Pepper Mill: Food-Safe Options and Long-Term Durability
The safest, most long-lasting finishes for an exotic wood pepper mill include a mineral oil and beeswax combination, tung oil alone, or friction polish using a CA (cyanoacrylate) finish. In...
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Oil Finish vs Wax Finish for Exotic Wood: Which Protects Better Long-Term?
In terms of finishes for exotic hardwoods for tonewoods, turning blanks, and hardwood lumber, the oil finish is usually more durable than the wax finish since oil goes through the...
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African Sapele Wood: The Ribbon-Figured Hardwood Both Woodworkers and Luthiers Want
Sapele wood from Africa is a reddish brown hardwood that has interlocking, ribbon‑striped grain and sounds similar to mahogany. People who build guitars use Sapele wood, for body blanks, neck...
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What Does Interlocked Grain Mean in Woodworking?
In interlocked-grain wood, the grain has a pattern whereby the fibers twist initially in one direction and then switch direction for the following growth rings and continue this cycle as...
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How to Make a Wooden Bowl Without a Lathe: Hand Carving and Alternative Techniques
One way of crafting a wooden bowl without the use of a lathe is through the manual sculpting process using an adze, gouges, and a hook knife. This involves either...
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Exotic Wood Hobby Blanks: The Gateway Product Every New Woodworker Should Start With
Exotic wood hobby blanks consist of pre-cut hardwood blanks used for carving and turning purposes, which are the easiest and cheapest method of a beginner woodworker trying out their skills...
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