How to Read Woodworking Cuts
Wood selection is vital to any woodworking project. The seasoned woodworker automatically thinks of what species of wood she wants for a project and what size boards she needs to complete it. Another, often overlooked, consideration is the way the lumber was cut. You can learn to read and identify different wood cuts to be sure you have the right wood for you next project.
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Instructions
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Look for grains that go straight along the length of the board and up and down across the face of the cut. This is quarter-sawn wood. You have probably seen it on finer wood flooring, where the grains run uniformly along the length of the planks. If you looked at a cross section of one of these planks as it lays flat on the ground, the grain runs almost perfectly up and down. This cut is ideal for turning furniture parts and flooring because of its resistance to warping.
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Inspect the widest surface of the board for grains that make 'V's in the wood. This is flat-sawn wood. The wood shows off the grain in a way that makes it ideal for cabinetry or any other project that displays a large expanse of wood. Flat-sawn wood is prone to bending and buckling, which makes it a poor choice for flooring or stairs.
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Look at the face of the cut for grains that seem to radiate in concentric arcs from one corner of the face of the cut. This is rift-sawn wood, a good choice for square furniture legs because it displays the grain on all sides. It is not a particularly stable cut for other fine uses because it tends to warp. Rift-sawn wood is best suited to framing and other unfinished applications.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask someone at your lumber retailer for help if you have trouble identifying how the wood was cut.
References
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