Thread: End Grain question.

Side grain absorbs force better than end grain, but you'll end up with dents all over it.

What are you going to hit it with?

Chopping boards are better if the end grain is up. But you do not normally hit these with force when preparing a meal. Unless you are a very aggressive cook.

No idea, however.
truck beds have boards lain longitudinal
floor boards have boards lain longitudinal
parquetry have boards lain longitudinal
trees under the bark are longitudinal

end grain chopping boards last longer due to cutting action, the knife under a microscope weaves through the grain. Longitudinal chopping boards end up splintering.

im tipping lay them long ways for longer life. Unless your impact is a cutting motion.
cheers

The old fashioned butchers blocks had end grain facing the millions of cleaver blows coming their way.

I think it would depend on the type of impact and how the material is secured.

Think back to the traditional chopping block, a chunk of tree trunk cut to a suitable length, and mounted vertically, so it sits on end grain and supports from end grain. Sit it on solid ground and it will stay put for years, no spring etc on impact as the forces are applied through long grain, in compression. Potential issue however is that it quite easy to split a chunk off the block if you chop into it near the edge. Overall a very similar situation to the end grain butcher block or cutting board.

Then consider a piece of timber laying on the ground. Regardless of the material dimensions (assuming common material sizes), or how straight the timber is, hit it hard and it will most likely try to spring and jump because even if the timber is dead straight because the ground under it would most likely not provide uniform support allowing the material to flex under impact, and attempt to return to it's pre impact state. (For something like bridge timbers etc, the part might accept a significant impact without moving due to the sheer weight of the part.)

It is common to use timber as beams etc to carry loads in many areas, but this is done with knowledge of the material's characteristic behavior and structural condition, and a good knowledge of the loads being applied. Such beams are however not particularly good at absorbing significant impacts without damage or failure.

Originally Posted by Kiwi75

Hi, just a simple question. Does end grain absorb impact better than side grain? It's hard to explain but I'm making a small wooden platform, the top of which will receive impact and I was wondering if I construct it with the end grain facing impact it might absorb the energy better and not jump around???
Thanks guys.

a traditional jointer's mallet has end grain on the striking face.

However, the jumping around part in your question implies issues with the platform's support rather than end grain vs side grain impact

can you provide a sketch?