¿Quarter Sawn? - Woodworking Talk

mjdtexan · 12-20-2008, 11:00 AM

I keep seeing reference to "quarter sawn" wood on the forum. What is it? I think you guys like it because its stronger but I am not sure.

I've come to realize that yall run grains in certain directions for strenth as well but I am not sure how all of that goes.

What do I need to do to get up to speed on this?

GeorgeC · 12-20-2008, 11:06 AM

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-quartersawn-wood.htm

http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/w...uartersawn.htm

Google "quarter sawn wood" and you will find many more good articles.

It boils down to looks. The quarter sawn has a "better" grain.

George

steve mackay · 12-20-2008, 11:23 AM

Quarter-sawn is all in how Daren cuts it on the mill. If the mill rolls the log as each cut is made they can get more "quarter" out of it. An industrial mill cuts it according to how many boards they can get out of it without regard to grain orientation. Daren can take the time to eyeball and orient the log but, I think, he wants money to do that. Go into a hardwood supplier and dig through a bundle to find quarter and they'll stop you after the third layer. Or charge you extra to get the "premium" stuff. This is why woodworkers get all excited when we score a good bunch of material. (Maybe, over-excited ?)

Gus Dering · 12-20-2008, 11:23 AM

One example would be quarter sawn white oak. It's the wood you see in most of the mission style furniture and has that crazy looking figuring that travels across the grain. A picture would be worth a thousand words. Sorry no gotty
Don't confuse it with rift cut though :-)

mjdtexan · 12-20-2008, 12:18 PM

Thank Yall for the information and double thanks for the links. I now know. Thats why I love these sites.

mics_54 · 12-20-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

I think you guys like it because its stronger but I am not sure.

Quartersawn and rift sawn lumber is stronger, more stable, more uniform in finishing, less blotchy with stains. I have also hear it called VG or vertical grain. I trimmed one house with Hemlock Fir that was all quartersawn. It was pleasant enough to work but did have a tendency to chip out in the manner and locations one would expect. Thats what is nice about quartersawn..it's predictable.

**Leo G** · 12-20-2008, 01:01 PM

Quartersawn is the way that the mill cuts it. The are generally 3 types of cutting. Plain sawn, rift cut and quarter sawn. Plain cut is when the put the log on the mill and just cut it straight across, most wood is cut this way. When you look at the end grain you will see the circular ring structure. Rift cut is generally a specialty cut and I know that it is use on Oak a lot to keep the flecks and rays from showing. It is cut at about 70* to the grain. When you look at the end of the board most of the grain should be on a slight diagonal. Quarter sawn is cut so the grain goes 90* to the board, so when you look at the end it will be up and down. Usually you want QS when you are looking for straight grain in you wood [surface]. QS is usually more stable than plain sawn and a good use for it is in door styles.

drcollins804 · 12-20-2008, 01:06 PM

Here is a link to one Thread on the subject. Difference between quarter and rift sawn grain? There is another that I can't find right now where Daren diagrams the cuts for each type. Just do a search for quarter sawn and rift sawn in the search window in the toolbar at the top.
David

mics_54 · 12-20-2008, 01:44 PM

Actually quartersawn is not always 90 degrees...rift sawn is. quarter sawn varies slightly in respect the grain being perpendicular to the surface where as rift sawn grain is always 90 degrees to the surface of each board. Quartersawn is a little more efficient than rift sawing. Plain sawing creates some boards with grain typical in all three types of configurations. Rift sawing creates the most waste but the best lumber.

smitty1967 · 12-20-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Dering

It's the wood you see in most of the mission style furniture and has that crazy looking figuring that travels across the grain.

Quite right, Gus....it's called ray fleck, for future reference, and it is the single most distinguishing characteristic of mission style furniture, apart from the raw design itself.

smitty