Thread: Writing Table

TT, what you have shown is probably Western Red cedar (Thuja sp.) which is a softwood imported from the US, and not in any way related to Australian cedar (Toona sp.) which is a hardwood, albeit a pretty soft one. I've made things from WRC, and it's ok, but being a softwood, it doesn't finish the way a hardwood will. It planes ok, but be careful sanding, to avoid the washboard effect. A large sanding block is the go, to help keep the surface level. And it mars very easily (but so does Aust. cedar).

You will discover that chopping mortises in WRC isn't all that easy, either, due to the difference in hardness between the early-wood/late-wood rings and the way it will crumble if your chisels aren't sharpened to a razor edge at a low angle. However, since you have the wood and want to use it, why not give it a go? At the least it will be a learning exercise....

Cheers,

It certainly looks like WRC, but it could be Oregon. Oregon much heavier than WRC and is usually full of knots.

WRC is extremely soft and tough in the weather, so it is only good for making windows and external doors. I always keep some for repair works around the house. It is not fit (or a waste) for anything else.

Thanks IW and Wongo.
After what you described it must be WRC because the previous owner had written on several pieces things like "door jamb" and "sill". I've got some Oregon and it definitely does not look like that.

I decided to not use it anyway. Luckily for me I had these pieces lying around for a years and now that I have a thicknesser I have been handsomely rewarded.
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It looks like some sort of pine. One of the pieces has a redy tinge. I've cut it to size and will do the legs out of Oregon. I have started on a jig for the legs. I've merged a couple of designs I found on youtube. I'll post pics if any one is interested.
I wont be able to do anything this weekend as I'm going to the wood show.