I was just given some beautiful 4 quarter heart popler boards that were cut a year ago and have been stick stacked and air dried ever since. They were cut from right down here in florida from some huge trees. Can this wood be used for the making of a dining room table? Some of the boards are 17″ wide with no cupping. Is the heartwood from popler adequate for a tabletop? Can it be used as is, being air dried or do I need to kiln dry the wood? Any suggestions?
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Head to the library or order the book, Understanding Wood, by bruce Hoadley. Very fine book. It will tell you more then you want to know about wood. Its very helpful. The book goes over stability and moisture etc. I think its a valuable book to have FWIW
The main thing id make sure is the actual moisture % of the wood. Ideally i think a 10-15% would be best. and that each board is the same % or you will have problems. Kiln or air dryed, makes no difference as long as its the correct % thats ideal for furniture construction. They say a year for an inch (4/4) but local conditions +/- that time.
Others here can help you more then i can, but i dont see why you couldnt use them.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled