The next project - Bedroom set. What wood to use? - Woodworking Talk

icrusbound · 05-29-2009, 04:57 PM

So, I have decided after the apothecary madness, it would be nice to pick something a little less detailed and expensive. I am going to build the attached items (bed, dresser, end tables, and little chest. I have decided 2 things:

1. I am going to build 2 sets and sell one for fairly cheap, and keep the other. I hope only to recoupe the costs of materials for both sets. The reason for this is I realized that much of the work was in designing and set up. So, once all of that is done for each piece/component, why not make 2? I may regret that decision later.

2. I want to build it out of fairly nice wood, but not rediculously nice. I plan to stain it a dark color (like the pics), so it just needs to be a stable wood that is hard enough not to dent too easily.

The question is, what kind of wood is that? I hope to strike a nice balance between cost and quality. As always, any input is greatly appreciated.

Roger Newby · 05-29-2009, 07:31 PM

Since you're wanting to build cheap, your best bet is going to be poplar, IMO. While it is a "soft" hardwood, if you check most furniture stores you'll find it is the most common wood used. I've seen several "cherry" dressers that were poplar with a cruddy dark red/brown stain applied. Just pick out one and open the drawer or look at the back. It is a stable and durable wood or the furniture industry wouldn't be using it.

Roger

firehawkmph · 05-29-2009, 09:22 PM

Icrus,
I guess it depends on where you get your wood from. If you are buying if rough sawn, then you should be getting it at a decent price. I would consider ash or hard maple. Both are very durable, and pretty stable. Around here the ash is cheaper than maple.
Mike Hawkins

**Leo G** · 05-29-2009, 09:45 PM

Flat sawn Sapelle' is about 1/2 the price of Mahogany and a little more than Hard Maple. It will stain dark very well. It is a stable wood, pretty hard, not blotchy. Mills nice, sands nice- a little dusty. Overall a really nice wood.

Julian the woodnut · 05-30-2009, 10:38 AM

If you're going to mask it's look by staining it so dark, then just use poplar. It will be cheaper than just about any other wood, unless you are getting it roughsawn from the mill.

icrusbound · 05-30-2009, 12:49 PM

Thanks for all the responses guys. I had thought about poplar. I guess I will just have to compare the prices of the various woods and see what the price balance is. I will make a list of the suggested woods and go hunting.

Yeah, it might seem like a waste to stain it so dark, but it just fits the look of the bedroom, and the girl likes it. 2 bonuses.

Thanks agian. I am sure there are slow-but-sure progress pics coming.

Rick Mosher · 05-30-2009, 03:23 PM

Do you want an open pore wood species or a tight grained wood species like your picture? I would bet the photos are hard maple. A lot of shops do that same finish and dye hard maple on a flat line finish system. For tight grain I would go with cherry or maple. Spend a little extra on wood you won't regret it in the long run. Even if I am doing a paint grade finish I would use maple or mdf over poplar. If you are OK with a open pore wood then Black walnut is always my choice for a dark colored project. Sapelle or even plain old Honduran Mahogany would be excellent choices also.

icrusbound · 05-30-2009, 06:48 PM

I would prefer better wood. I will definitely look into cherry. Unless it was more than twice as expensive I would go for it. I think tight grained is certainly better. I was just hoping for something a little cheaper than the rosewood I bought for the last project.

**Leo G** · 05-30-2009, 07:19 PM

Cherry will be twice as much as Poplar. Cherry, Sapelle', Hard Maple should all be about the same in price.