Timber species for painted projects and mouldings etc

**Austin_Turner** · 29th November 2020, 03:01 PM

I’m thinking of making some more traditional painted style projects (so that the whole house isn’t timber coloured!), e.g. maybe some with mouldings, frame and panel doors etc.

What would be the best choice for a stable, easy to machine timber?

I assume clear pine should be available and a decently priced option in australia? Overseas people seem to use poplar, birch and even maple but I assume they are expensive here (birch ply is ridiculous in Aus!)

If you are painting, I assume some kind of grain filler or primer is recommended to get the best finish?

**Beardy** · 29th November 2020, 05:32 PM

Vic Ash ( tasty oak) is a nice timber to work with that is reasonably priced if you are wanting something a bit more durable than pine

**elanjacobs** · 29th November 2020, 05:52 PM

Clear pine is pretty standard for painted stuff, needs less filling than hardwood. Also MDF.

**Austin_Turner** · 29th November 2020, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Clear pine is pretty standard for painted stuff, needs less filling than hardwood. Also MDF.

Thanks, maybe I’m doing something wrong, but machining mdf seems pretty terrible, as in routing a profile always seems to end up furry and rough and its difficult to clean up.

Do the eucalypts like Vic ash / tassie oak need the actual pores in the grain filled as well as any gum inclusions etc?

**elanjacobs** · 29th November 2020, 08:13 PM

MDF needs sharp bits to get a clean moulding, it's still a bit of a pain though.

Vic ash grain might still show through the paint without filling, sticking to pine is easier because that's never a problem and it's cheaper too.

**markharrison** · 29th November 2020, 08:41 PM

Clear Hoop Pine would be my pick. It 's a native and grown in plantations.

It's a really nice timber to work with. I've used it as a secondary timber in furniture projects. Drawer sides and so on.

**Austin_Turner** · 29th November 2020, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by markharrison

Clear Hoop Pine would be my pick. It 's a native and grown in plantations.

It's a really nice timber to work with. I've used it as a secondary timber in furniture projects. Drawer sides and so on.

Yeah, that sounds good. Is hoop pine readily commercially available these days or is it something that is mostly cut privately? I remember a hoop pine plantation where I grew up, but it was nothing massive.

edit: looks easier to find in qld at good prices.

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