Wood

Woods can be divided into two main categories

softwood and hardwood.
This is not a description of the wood it just
means what type of tree it comes from.

 Most

softwood trees are coniferous

(cone bearing). They typically have
thin, needle- like leaves and are
evergreen (pine, cedar, yew).
They grow in colder climates and are
fast growing- most reaching maturity
within 30 years. This makes them easy
to replace with new trees, so theyre
usually cheaper than hardwoods.

Most hardwood trees are broadleaved and

deciduous (they shed their leaves annually).
For example: Oak, Mahogany, Beech, Elm,
Broadleaf trees grow in warm climates and are
usually slow growing. They can take around a
hundred years to mature, so there are more
expensive than softwoods.
Colours are: Oak- rich light brown
Mahogany- reddish brown
Beech- creamy/ pinkish
Elm- light reddish brown

Polyurethane varnish can be used to seal and

protect the surface of the wood, and give it a
smooth surface finish. You can buy it clear or
in a wide range of colours.
Woodstain can be applied to wood to enhance
the appearance of the woods grain. Its
available in natural but also in bright colours.
Stains usually dont protect the wood, so
varnish may need to be applied afterwards.

Oil can be used to maintain a natural

appearance of the wood. Some oil- based
finishes also offer protection to wood used
outdoors.
Paint is often used to colour and protect
wood. Emulsion paints are cheap, but they
are water- based, so they dont protect wood
from water.
Polyurethane paint is more expensive but is
waterproof and much tougher.

Solid woods are cut straight from the

tree. Man- made woods (boards) are
made from the bits of waste that are
produced when the trunks and
branches are cut into planks.

Manufactured
Boards:

Important properties: very strong, doesnt

warp, exterior plywood is water resistant.
Making tips: can split when cut, outside of the
board can be finished with a nice veneer (thin
layer of good quality wood).
Typical uses: containers, flat cut- out figures,
mechanical parts, wheels
In general: its made up of several layers
(always an odd number of them) and the layers
are glued with their grain at 90 degrees to each
other. Thats the reason why it is very strong.

Important properties: brittle, goes soggy with

water
Making things: tears easily, difficult to finish
edges
Typical uses: covering panels

Important properties: hard, keeps edges well,

goes soggy with water, has smooth faces and
takes paint and other finishes well
Making tips: blunts tools, shapes easily,
finishes well, drills well
Typical uses: block models, vacuum forming
moulds, small bases

Important properties: brittle, edges easily

damaged
Making tips: difficult to shape, blunts tools,
finishes poorly, catches on drills
Typical uses: large bases; because its cheap
but not very strong, so is usually used with a
hardwood or plastic veneered surface in
cheap furniture

Solid Timber:

Important properties: softwood, cream and

pale brown colour, often knotty, rots unless
protected
Making tips: easy to cut, trim, shape and join
Cost: low
Typical uses: simple frameworks, block
models

Important properties: hardwood, red- brown

colour, durable
Making tips: more difficult to work than red
deal
Cost: medium
Typical uses: containers, indoor furniture,
items requiring decorative finish

Important properties: hardwood, whitish pink,

very soft, very light, not durable
Making tips: very easy to shape, cut and trim
for joining use balsa cement
Cost: high
Typical uses: rapid model- making, light
weight structures

Important properties: hardwood, light colour,

no knots, more durable than red deal
Making tips: easy to cut, trim, shape and join
Cost: medium
Typical uses: simple frameworks, block
models, moulds for vacuum forming