Yes, you can stain basswood, but it can absorb color unevenly and develop dark patches. Consistent surface preparation, a suitable stain system, and testing on an offcut help you get a more predictable result. Basswood’s pale color makes it useful for decorative finishes, but staining does not give it the grain pattern of oak or … Read more
Yes, basswood is a hardwood, even though its wood is soft and easy to carve. It comes from a flowering tree in the genus Tilia. American basswood, commonly sold for woodworking in North America, is Tilia americana. The confusion comes from the word “hardwood.” In woodworking, it identifies a botanical group—not a guarantee that the … Read more
Buying lumber is easier when you understand board feet. Instead of pricing every board by its length alone, lumber suppliers often use this measurement to account for thickness, width, and length together. To calculate board feet, multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12. Board feet = … Read more
The best wood splitting maul is one you can swing accurately and repeatedly—not simply the heaviest tool on the rack. A powerful maul is useful for stubborn rounds, but extra weight becomes a disadvantage when it reduces control or wears you out. The Fiskars IsoCore 8 lb, 36-inch maul is a strong starting point for … Read more
Choosing plywood can be confusing when several sheets look similar but carry different labels. BCX is one you will often encounter when shopping for shelving, cabinets, and general woodworking projects. BCX plywood generally refers to plywood with a B-grade face, a C-grade back, and an exterior-type adhesive bond. Its smoother front makes it useful where … Read more
MDO plywood is an exterior-bonded plywood panel with a resin-impregnated fiber overlay on one or both faces. The overlay creates a smooth, durable surface, making paint-grade MDO a familiar choice for outdoor signs, painted panels, and selected building applications. Although its name sounds similar to MDF, MDO has a layered plywood core. Understanding that construction—and … Read more