Replies

1. 
   gpwestmoreland | Nov 11, 2000 06:11am | #1

   *
   DePawl,

   It sounds like you are describing what's known as "ray fleck"; this is seen on the side edge of flat sawn boards, and the face of quarter sawn boards. Many people think it is attractive, and use quarter sawn lumber to get this effect, when building arts and crafts furniture for example.

   I'll leave it to someone else to describe the cause of it. (Stanley?) GPW

1. 
   Stephen_C._Kohn | Jan 12, 2001 09:26am | #2

   *DePawl,If you want to understand ray fleck like gpwestmoreland described and any other formation in your wood you should buy "Understanding Wood". It's printed by Taunton Press and is an excellent book on, what else, understanding wood! It goes into great but interesting (to me) detail. It may get a little technical at times but once you figure it out it really adds to your knowledge of wood. Every woodworker should read it!Aloha :)

1. 
   Jess_Smith | Feb 22, 2001 08:28pm | #3

   *I am trying to make a three-way showcase corner' with glass panels all around framed with wood but can't seem to find anything, even remotely, close to how to do it.If you know of a source of information, it would be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Jess Smith

1. 
   Stanley_Niemiec | Feb 25, 2001 06:38am | #4

   *Ray flakes are the medullary rays of the wood that transport fluids and nutrients horizontally/verically/radially in wood. To my recollection they are present in most hardwoods but may not be as visible/prominent as with the oaks. If you know what you are looking for you can see them on the radial face of cherry, beech, and maple, to mention a few.