Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 09, 2009 08:13pm | #1

   Have you considered Alder? 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
2. 
   srstool | Nov 10, 2009 01:09am | #2

   Have you considered Basswood. It's a little soft but should hold screws fine. It's not as hard as Alder, but has fewer knots and the color is closer to Aspen. If you are staining medium to dark, the color of alder should be fine. Whatever you use , I would test the stain first.

   Kent --Lubbock,Texas
3. 
   GregoryPaolini | Nov 10, 2009 02:45pm | #3

   I havn't really had any issues with poplar - In my experience, it's always stayed pretty straight, and stable - It's my number 1 choice for paint or stain grade work - Even for solid wood veneer substrate for that matter - You may want to look at poplar again

   Gregory Paolini

   http://www.GregoryPaolini.com

   Custom Furniture, Cabinetry, and Woodworking Instruction

4. 
   Mackwood | Nov 12, 2009 03:20am | #4

   I would not count out the Poplar.  In my limited experience it's as stable as many  woods and more so than lots of others.  It's available almost everywhere in nice, virtually clear boards and takes paint wonderfully (holds it too).  It's been used as a secondary wood for centuries.  It works well with power and hand tools.  The only problem I've encountered with it is in staining.  I'm sure there are experts here to tell you how to do that successfully as well.

   Regards,

   Mack

   "Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Nov 14, 2009 07:15am | #5

   There could be a misconception about poplar.  I think both you and Greg are referring to Lirodendrum Tulipifera "spelling" as opposed to several other species that sometimes go by the same common name.

   Tink

5. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 16, 2009 08:49pm | #6

   Poplar is easy to work with, but I have heard it is not stable... ?

   A bit soft but very stable in my opinion. I use it for many things.

6. 
   photonut | Nov 18, 2009 05:44am | #7

   Have you thought about using something like #1 or #2 maple and then edge banding the frame with aspen before applying the faces? Then you would have a strong, stable, inexpensive frame and the visible part of the frame would be aspen. Just be sure to make the edge bands on the lock side thick enough to accommodate the bevel without going through the aspen.