Woodworking Archives - Page 4 of 10

Whitewood is quite the intriguing wood type, making it one that is often dismissed instead of embraced by wood carvers and woodworkers. While you might see the term whitewood and assume it’s simply wood that’s white, it’s actually sourced from tulip trees. So is whitewood good for carving? It’s unfortunate that whitewood is so underrated because it makes for great wood carving potential. It has a soft grain, making it easier to glide your carving tools along the wood with relative ease. Whitewood is also fairly lightweight which can help make carving different items much more approachable. The color of whitewood is also part of its allure, given that it varies from white to a pale yellow or brown hue. You’re hard pressed to find a wood carving project that whitewood wouldn’t be a suitable option to consider in terms of wood type. Is Whitewood Easy to Carve? Click Image for More Info Whitewood is hardwood, which tends to be easier to carve compared to softwood. Out of the vast amount of hardwood types, whitewood is one that is easier for carvers to work with. It’s considered to be quite soft in terms of its carvability, making it an enjoyable type of wood to work through. If you’re looking to source some whitewood to use for your next carving endeavor, be sure you go to a reputable source of lumber. Whitewood is often misadvertised, so you could end up being sold something that isn’t actually whitewood due to the inability for some wood suppliers to differentiate whitewood from other types of wood. The color is one of the many attractive features of this wood. If you’re looking to maintain that light wood hue, you can use a clear finish to maintain the integrity of the wood without changing its appearance. That said, you can paint it should you choose to, but you’ll want to texturize the wood before you paint it because of how naturally smooth the wood is. To check the current price and availability of Schaaf Wood Carving Tools, click here to view the listing on Amazon. Best Things to Carve Out of Whitewood Whitewood is a favorite wood for many wood hobbyists that enjoy carving and building furniture. You can get creative with the way you carve your furniture, whether you are wanting to use it as storage such as shelving, hutches, or trunks. Furniture that may serve a more practical purpose for you, such as tables, desks, and chairs, can also be carved out of whitewood. On the other hand, this wood also works well for carving projects that require a lot of attention to detail. Not only does it hold the detail well, but it can be much easier to work a variety of carving tools around this wood, especially ones that need you to be very precise and somewhat gentle. As such, smaller, decorative items are also perfect to create out of whitewood. This could mean knick knacks or miscellaneous décor based on your favorite theme, multifunctional trays and bowls, bookends, planters, and more. Whitewood also makes great handles for your tools, kitchen utensils, and brushes. Why Whitewood Is a Good Choice for Wood Carvers A tulip tree can grow to become one of the tallest hardwood trees, so when it’s harvested, the wood can be repurposed for many things. The regrowth rate of these whitewood-producing trees also allows for the harvest of these trees to have less of an impact on the environment. Purchasing whitewood from your local lumber retailer is also generally affordable, Even though you may not see these trees growing naturally in a lot of regions, the trees themselves are easy to grow comparatively. Additionally, whitewood isn’t prone to a lot of pests that many other woods are susceptible to, including termites. This can make it a good option for your outdoor wood carving desires. You don’t have to be concerned about little critters destroying your hard work. That said, it’s not impenetrable; it doesn’t do well with excess moisture like rain, so you should have ways to cover it up or move it if it rains. How to Differentiate Whitewood From Misnamed Woods As mentioned, a lot of woods will be sold as whitewood, even though the wood doesn’t actually come from the tulip tree. It’s likely that the look of the wood alone won’t help you tell whitewood from similar woods unless you're a wood expert. Despite what the name suggests, whitewood isn’t just any wood that looks white; it’s only the wood from a tulip tree. Be sure you look for how the wood is labeled, as this will likely be one of the best indicators of whether or not you’re looking at actual whitewood. Many of the woods sold as whitewood will have initials like SPF, SYP, and SYF on their label, which is a clear indicator that the wood isn’t true whitewood. Final Thoughts Whitewood is a great kind of wood for so many reasons. It comes from tall, beautiful trees that are able to respawn with ease, so you don’t have to feel guilty about using this kind of wood for as many projects as you would like. As with any kind of wood, whitewood has some really great features, while also having some disadvantages associated with it. Moreover, your tools are going to determine a lot in terms of how easy or difficult wood carving can be. So whether wood carving is a new world to you or you’re a seasoned woodworker, whitewood is worth choosing the next time inspiration strikes.