Learn how to select lumber for furniture construction in this article by lumber expert Louis Irion. He says wood is the star of a piece of furniture, and explains how to showcase grain and figure. With decades of experience building furniture, he shares what he’s learned about lumber and selecting wood for parts of a piece of furniture. He uses a Newport secretary to illustrate this, but his instruction applies to any style of furniture. His tips include using lumber sawn from the same tree, using wide boards, and methods for organizing and stacking lumber.

From Fine Woodworking #140

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

AnchorSeal Log and Lumber End-Grain Sealer

Good for both sealing the end grain of freshly cut logs and boards, this wax prevents end-grain checking and saves material

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DeWalt 735X Planer

At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy.

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Ridgid R4331 Planer

Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X.

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