Hi all,
I have some painted furniture ( a bookcase and chest of drawers) to make for a client, and I have always used maple for this previously. Someone at my timber merchants suggested using tulipwood as a cheaper alternative, does anyone know if this is a good idea or if it holds unforseen problems ? Or if you have any other suggestions, I would be very interested to hear them, thanks, Nic
Replies
Tulipwood (i.e., poplar) is softer than maple but harder than pine. I takes paint very well. The obvious drawback from maple is that it can ding and dent more easily. So it kind of depends on the style and anticipated use of the piece. If it is a laid back style where a ding is going to be seen as lovely "patina" or a piece that woun't get much wear or contact then poplar is great. If it's a higher fashion piece, especially one that will get hard use, you might want to spring for the maple. Personally, I love poplar.
Personally, I love poplar.
'Tulip wood' gets NO respect.. It is a wonderful wood to work with. Yes it 'dings' but so do most other woods. Damage depends on who/what hit it!
Hell, I had a very large Cast Iron Radiator in my home that one of my grandbabies ran into on his Tri-Cicyle. Water everywhere.. Good thing it was not during the heating period. Cracked between the sections.
I figure a small dent from a little boy having FUN.
Yes, I let little children ride inside and roller skate in the long hallway! Kids HAVE to play!
I had to sledge hammer it apart to get it out. Way to heavy to move it on my own. I priced a similar new one. That radiator is no more and the pipes capped off! About 2 grand USA to replace it! AND it was not a fancy Victorian one...
I agree about poplar (my experiences are with old wood, I will say). I think it can be very pretty.
And I agree about "wood dinging". What wood doesn't!! ;o)Gretchen
What about soft maple? It's harder than poplar and a lot cheaper than rock hard maple .
Oh, also, many pieces like chests of drawers, use primary and secondary woods - for example, the drawer fronts and the cabinet sides and top might be maple, but everything else - drawerboxes, back, etc. are poplar.
Well, we used to hear that it is a sin to paint maple. I can't testify to that but it is a beautiful wood to mask with paint. I'm assuming this will be inside away from the weather as poplar isn't so good in the weather but it is nice to work with and takes paint well.
I second the suggestion to use poplar.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
I'll 3rd the poplar suggestion for paint...
Sarge..
Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia
Thank you all for your help , looks like I'll give poplar a try, Nic
The good thing about painted furniture is that you can mix your woods so as somebody else suggested you can use maple for the dingable parts and something cheaper on the rest.
A little Fine Surface Polyfilla will really smoothen out the cheaper wood if you're not happy with smoothness before you start painting.
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