The way a board is cut from the log has a lot to do with how it will look and act when used in furniture. In this excerpt from Episode 4 of The Wood Whisperer Video podcast, Phoenix woodworker Marc Spagnuolo explains how to identify a board that is flatsawn, riftsawn, or quartersawn by looking at its end grain. He also details some of the benefits of each type of cut.

 

Watch another excerpt from this episode to learn how wood is cut and sold at the lumberyard. Or visit The Wood Whisperer online to download the full episode.

 

Once you’ve gained a firm footing in how to leverage the various cuts from a log, be sure to check out our video guide to Understanding Grain Direction. Fine Woodworking executive art director Michael Pekovich how to establish grain direction when using handplanes or milling machinery to dimension and smooth lumber.