Replies

1. 
   InMyOpinion | Mar 26, 2007 08:26am | #1

   Suggestion: woodweb.com (a good source of information about species, and much more)

   Ray Pine (in this thread) puts it succinctly and very well. As an experienced woodworker, you likely have got your answer.

   For the potential benefit of other readers, I'd like to say that Ray is so laconic as to maybe downplay his message. Reversing grain is the bane of some woodworkers, so beware.

   I use hand tools and work with alder (another reversing grain species). Several times I have sawn trim close to spec, hand planed and hit reversed grain (that I swear wasn't there), "reverse" scrapped it; then spent several minutes striving to restore a straight edge while preserving acceptable dimensions. Less frequently, reversed grain can spoil a beautiful grain pattern.

   The bottom line is the obvious: some woods can be tricky to work with for various reasons. The pain, I think, is in not realizing the particular attributes of a species. Your question is good; however, the wear on your tools may be low on the list of concerns.

   
   

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   Edited 3/26/2007 9:25 am ET by InMyOpinion

2. 
   joinerswork | Mar 26, 2007 03:37pm | #2

   bmy,

   Pecan/hickory is a pretty hard wood, dense and stringy.  It often has areas of reversing grain.  Most often used for things like tool handles for its toughness (shock resistance, and springiness) .

   It is very prone to tearout with handtools, especially so when planing a flat surface, less so when worked with machines.  Expect to do some scraping.

   Ash has a similar grain pattern, and is easier to work, imo.

   Ray Pine

3. 
   terrylee86 | Mar 26, 2007 05:16pm | #3

   Hickory is on of the hardest North American hardwoods and can present problems with handtools.  With all the new carbide blades and bits it is really not much worse than white oak.  I don't know about Texas Pecan, but hickory is a very active when it come to wood movement so you have to account for that.  On a large table I would not use boards much wider than 4" in your glueup.  It stains beautifully and is very dent resistant, so it would be great for desk and tabletops.  I have built 3 pieces out of hickory and I love it and cuss it at the same time.  It will blow out at the least opportune time so get a little more than you need.  It has a huge contrast between sapwood and heartwood, but with hickory that adds to the beauty of the piece.

4. 
   beachfarm | Mar 27, 2007 03:27am | #4

   Your Pecan (Texas) recalls our Red Birch (Maine) - best when avoided, that is. I had a project some years back that was constructed entirely of Pecan. Some foolish number of board feet arrived on a skid at my shop and away we went. Very brittle, prone to tear out, and not really all that attractive for the headache it will sick you with.

   Some people like working Pecan. And some people like sticking pins in their eyes.

   Sorry.

5. 
   DHAM | Apr 09, 2007 09:48pm | #5

   Pecan and hickory are very hard and will challenge your equipment.  They are especially tough on planer knives. 

1. 
   bmyyou | Apr 10, 2007 05:05am | #6

   Is hard maple just as tough on equipment?