Replies

1. 
   Ry | Mar 28, 2006 07:27am | #1

   We use poplar for anything that is not seen all that much.  It is a great wood as it machines well, does not warp and it is cheap.  It is softer than oak  or maple so it sands very easily and quickly.  The only downside that I see is the greenish streaks that it has.  THat is why we usually use it for uphostered furniture, veneering substrate and for any secondary hidden parts.  That being said, if you use the white parts of the board and stain it,  it looks remarkably like maple or cherry.  As for why it is not used more often, my guess is the colour.

2. 
   GRW | Mar 28, 2006 01:33pm | #2

   I only use Poplar (and brown maple) for projects that will be painted.

   I won't use it as a primary or secondary wood. I just don't like the look.

3. 
   Ronaway | Apr 06, 2006 04:25pm | #3

   Poplar looks quite bland when stained to obscure the green cast of the raw wood, and is by no means a substitute for cherry or maple. It is a good material for painted projects but beware about using waterborne finishes directly onto the raw wood. I had some inset doors warped pretty badly when I applied a waterborne lacquer type paint. If I had to do it over again I think I would seal the doors with shellac before spraying with the waterborne.

   Ron

4. 
   joinerswork | Apr 06, 2006 05:10pm | #4

   moleculaire,

   Here in Virginia, poplar has long been used for furniture.  18th and early 19th century antiques often have poplar as a secondary wood (drawer sides, backs and bottoms, for instance).  In addition, many beds with boldly turned posts made locally here in the Shenandoah Valley, are made of poplar.  Also, case pieces, such as blanket chests, or chests of drawers were traditionally made partially or completely using poplar as the primary (show) wood.  I have in the shop now, a 19th century drop-leaf table that the customer thought was walnut, that is really poplar, 22" wide leaves, turned legs, and aprons. Then as now, poplar was/is inexpensive, available in large sizes, relatively stable, light in weight, pleasant to work,and easily stained to resemble other, more valuable woods. It is relatively soft, so that it dents and scratches easily, and might not hold a tack (upholstery) or screws (table leaf hinges) as well as harder woods.  I've seen poplar that was stained to resemble cherry, and walnut, as such it was difficult to tell from the real thing.  Maybe it's my imagination, but poplar seems to be a wood that grabs at the sole of a plane, it seems to me that it is more "frictional" than many other even harder, woods. That said, it is usually very straight grained, and even textured, so that when working it, tearout is seldom an issue.

   Regards,

   Ray Pine

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Apr 06, 2006 05:27pm | #5

   Please! Denigrate poplar as much as you can. I happen to like it very much whether stained, oiled, varnished, or whatever. Yes, it is soft. It is not the best to work or finish. So, please insult it as much as you can. I would hate to see it become a favorite and thus too expensive to use. BTW, that green heartwood photosynthesizes to a lovely brown as it ages. Poplar can also be found with gray, purple, and black areas.Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   joinerswork | Apr 07, 2006 01:12am | #6

   Caddidle,

   Oh, please mr fox, don't throw me in that brier patch, whatever you do! You ever met b'rer rabbit?

   Cheers,

   Ray Pine

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Apr 08, 2006 12:38am | #8

   I think that you understand perfectly!Cadid

2. 
   citrouille | Apr 07, 2006 01:23am | #7

   I already posted this on an other thread, go to http://www.garofoli.com and check out the "canoewood" doors, they are made out of poplar, I have seen the real thing and they are outstanding. (click english on the upper right corner if you don't understand Italian)C.

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Apr 08, 2006 12:43am | #9

   The reference is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, all I can see is a blank screen when I go to the site. I suppose the Internet doesn't work quite as well as a good sharp chisel. Maybe I need a high-speed connection.Cadid

5. 
   DaveinPa | Apr 08, 2006 06:12pm | #10

   I use poplar for secondary pieces whenever I can. The main reason alot of woodworkers don't use it is because of the coloring. The reason you get the green, gray or yellow streaking in the wood is because of the minerals the tree absorbs while it is growing. go ahead and use it because it is a joy to work with.

6. 
   lillieconner | May 22, 2015 02:26am | #11

   No doubt, hardwood is one of the best option. I prefer MDF which is best for kitchen cabinets. MDF provided with MDF powder coating looks very elegant and long lasting. Read more about MDF powder coating at decoral systems.