Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/wood compatability

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Expert: - 8/20/2009


Question
I'm going to be building an 8'x8' bookcase to match 2 other bookcases in a home built in the 1930's. My question is about wood comapatability, I plan on using furniture grade birch for the carcase and shelves, and was considering using poplar to trim it out at all edges. My descision is based on availability; my local supplyer does not sell birch stock for trim in finish grade, and I do not own a thickness planer or jointer. Are these species compatible and will they typically take stain the same?

Answer
Hi Danny, they're similar in durability and expansion/contraction, but they do not finish similarly. Birch is more dense, and will take stain better, Poplar is fairly soft, often exhibiting a greenish tint, (sometimes browns and purples too),and tends to blotch more than the Birch will. You could call a local Saw mill, or Lumber yard ( a REAL Lumber yard)...they should be able to supply you with Birch easily, planed ,cut in whatever dimension you desire, dried, and ready to work with. Having said that, solid Birch, and Birch plywood will not stain identically either....some experimentation will be necessary to get a perfect match, but it will always be easier, and look better, working with the same species. Maple would be a better match, probably, but it comes in different hardness's and species, that will take stain differently as well....and it can blotch too....but you won't get that greenish hue, and it's usually a bit harder than Poplar. There are ways to minimize the "blotchies" when working with any wood, but it really depends on you finish plans, color choices, etc. Hope that helps- Post back if need be- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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