What Is the Secret to Hiring the Best Deck Builder in Knoxville TN? Discover Expert Solutions for a Long-Lasting Outdoor Space Today!

Woodworking is the skill of making items from wood, and includes cabinetry, furniture making, wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning.

History

Along with stone, clay, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood. The development of civilization was closely tied to the development of increasingly greater degrees of skill in working these materials.

Among the earliest finds of woodworking are shaped sticks displaying notches from Kalambo Falls in southern Africa, dating to around 476,000 years ago.^[1] The Clacton spearhead from Clacton-on-Sea, England, dating to around 400,000 years ago,^[2] the Schöningen spears, from Schöningen (Germany) dating around 300,000 years ago^[3] and the Lehringen spear from northern Germany, dating to around 120,000 years ago,^[4] provide some of the first examples of wooden hunting implements. Wooden tools likely used for domestic activities including probable awls have also been found at Schöningen.^[5]

Flint tools were used for carving. Since Neolithic times, carved wooden vessels are known, for example, from the Linear Pottery culture wells at Kückhofen and Eythra.

Examples of Bronze Age woodcarving include tree trunks worked into coffins from northern Germany and Denmark and wooden folding-chairs. The site of Fellbach-Schmieden in Germany has provided fine examples of wooden animal statues from the Iron Age. Wooden idols from the La Tène period known from a sanctuary at the source of the Seine in France.

Ancient Egypt

There is significant evidence of advanced woodworking in ancient Egypt.^[6] Woodworking is depicted in many extant ancient Egyptian drawings, and a considerable amount of ancient Egyptian furniture (such as stools, chairs, tables, beds, chests) have been preserved. Tombs contain a large collection of these artifacts, and the inner coffins found within them were also made of wood. The metal used by the Egyptians for woodworking tools was originally copper and eventually, after 2000 BC, bronze, as iron working was unknown until much later.^[7]

Commonly used woodworking tools included axes, adzes, chisels, pull saws, and bow drills. Mortise and tenon joints are attested from the earliest Predynastic period. These joints were strengthened using pegs, dowels and leather or cord lashings. Animal glue came to be used only in the New Kingdom period.^[8] Ancient Egyptians invented the art of veneering and used varnishes for finishing. However, the composition of these varnishes is unknown. Although different native acacias were used, as was the wood from the local sycamore and tamarisk trees, deforestation in the Nile valley resulted in the need for the importation of wood, notably cedar, but also Aleppo pine, boxwood and oak, starting from the Second Dynasty.^[9]

Ancient Rome

Woodworking was essential to the Romans. It provided material for buildings, transportation, tools, and household items. Wood also provided pipes, dyes, waterproofing materials, and heat.^[10]^: 1Although most examples of Roman woodworking have been lost,^[10]^: 2 the literary record preserved much of the contemporary knowledge. Vitruvius dedicates an entire chapter of his De architectura to timber, preserving many details.^[11] Pliny, while not a botanist, dedicated six books of his Natural History to trees and woody plants, providing a wealth of information on trees and their uses.^[12]

Ancient China

The progenitors of Chinese woodworking are considered to be Lu Ban (魯班 pinyin: Lǔbān) and his wife Lady Yun, from the Spring and Autumn period (771 to 476 BC). Lu Ban is said to have introduced the plane, the chalk line, and other tools to China. His teachings were supposedly left behind in the book Lu Ban Jing (魯班經, "Manuscript of Lu Ban")(魯班經 pinyin: Lǔbān jīng). Despite this, it is believed that the text was written some 1500 years after his death. This book is largely filled with descriptions of dimensions for building various items, such as flower pots, tables, altars, etc., and also contains extensive instructions on Feng Shui. It mentions almost nothing of the intricate glue-less and nail-less joinery for which Chinese furniture was so famous.

Modern day

With advances in technology and industry demands, the field of woodwork has changed. The development of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, for example, has made it possible to mass-produce and reproduce products faster, with less waste, and often with more complex designs than ever before. CNC wood routers can carve complicated and highly detailed shapes into flat stock to create signs or art. Rechargeable power tools speed up the creation of many projects and require much less physical strength than in the past, for example, when boring multiple holes.

Skilled fine woodworking, however, remains a craft pursued by many. There remains demand for handcrafted work such as furniture and art; however, due to production rates and costs, consumer prices are much higher.

Modern wood carving usually refers to works of wood art produced by woodcarvers as contemporary art. This type of woodcarving often combines traditional techniques with more modern artistic styles and concepts. Modern woodcarving can be produced in a variety of forms and styles, from realistic to abstract, and often uses unusual woods, such as rain tree or woods with unique textures, to highlight the work's uniqueness.

In recent years, the art of modern woodcarving has become increasingly popular among woodworkers and visual art enthusiasts not only in Asia but also worldwide. Modern woodcarving art is often exhibited in art galleries and museums, and can be seen in several global contemporary art exhibitions.

Styles and designs

Woodworking, especially furniture making, has many different designs/styles. Throughout its history, woodworking designs and styles have changed. Some of the more common styles are listed below. Traditional furniture styles usually include pieces that have been around for a long time and have long been associated with wealth and luxury. More modern furniture styles have been commonly used over the past few hundred years.^[13]

Common woodworking/furniture styles
Traditional & timeless styles	Modern furniture styles
Jacobean	Antique
Dutch	American colonial
Victorian	Traditional
Art Deco	Vintage
Sheraton	Rustic
	Retro
	Modern
	Minimalism
	Contemporary

Materials

Historically, woodworkers relied on the woods native to their region until innovations in transportation and trade made more exotic woods available to the craftsman. Woods are typically sorted into three basic types: hardwoods typified by tight grain and derived from broadleaf trees, softwoods from coniferous trees, and manufactured materials such as plywood and MDF.

Hardwoods, botanically classified as angiosperms, are deciduous and shed their leaves annually in response to temperature changes.^[14] Softwoods come from trees botanically known as gymnosperms, which are coniferous, cone-bearing, and stay green year round.^[14] Although a general pattern, softwoods are not necessarily always "softer" than hardwoods, and vice versa.^[15]

Softwood is most commonly found in regions with lower temperatures and is typically less durable, lighter in weight, and more vulnerable to pests and fungal attacks than hardwoods. They typically have a paler color and a more open grain than hardwoods, which contributes to the tendency of felled softwood to shrink and swell as it dries.^[15] Softwoods usually have a lower density, around 432–592 kg/m³, which can compromise its strength.^[15] Density, however, does vary within both softwoods and hardwoods depending on the wood's geographical origin and growth rate. However, the lower density of softwoods also allows them to have greater strength relative to their weight. In the United States, softwoods are typically cheaper and more readily available.^[15] Most softwoods are suitable for general construction, especially framing, trim, and finish work, and carcassing.^[16]^[15]

Hardwoods are separated into two categories, temperate and tropical hardwoods, depending on their origin. Temperate hardwoods are found in the regions between the tropics and the poles and are of particular interest to woodworkers for their cost-effective aesthetic appeal and their sustainable sourcing.^[15] Tropical hardwoods are found within the equatorial belt, including Africa, Asia, and South America. Hardwoods flaunt a higher density, around 1041 kg/m³ as a result of slower growing rates, and are more stable when drying.^[15] As a result of their high density, hardwoods are typically heavier than softwoods but can also be more brittle.^[15] While there are an abundant number of hardwood species, only 200 are common enough and pliable enough to be used for woodworking.^[17] Hardwoods have a wide variety of properties, making it easy to find a hardwood to suit nearly any purpose, but they are especially suitable for outdoor use due to their strength and resilience to rot and decay.^[15] The coloring of hardwoods ranges from light to very dark, making it especially versatile for aesthetic purposes. However, because hardwoods are more closely grained, they are typically harder to work than softwoods. They are also harder to acquire in the United States and, as a result, are more expensive.^[15]

Typically, furniture such as tables and chairs is made from solid hardwood stock due to its strength and resistance to warping.^[16] Additionally, they also have a greater variety of grain patterns and color, and take a finish better, which allows the woodworker to exercise a great deal of artistic liberty. Hardwoods can be cut more cleanly and leave less residue on sawblades and other woodworking tools.^[16] Cabinet/fixture makers employ the use of plywood and other manufactured panel products. Some furniture, such as the Windsor chair, involves green woodworking, shaping with wood while it contains its natural moisture before drying.

Common softwoods used for furniture

Cedar

Cedars are strong, aromatic softwoods that are capable of enduring outdoor elements, the most common of which is the western red cedar. Western red cedar can withstand wet conditions without rotting and, as a result, is commonly used for outdoor projects such as patios, outdoor furniture, and building exteriors. This wood can be easily found at most home centers in the US and Canada for a moderate price.^[18]

Fir

In the USA, fir, also known as Douglas fir, is inexpensive and readily available at local home centers. It has a characteristic straight, pronounced grain with a red-brown tint. However, its grain pattern is relatively plain, and it does not stain well, so fir is commonly used for finished products that will be painted. While commonly used for building, this softwood would also be suitable for furniture-making.^[18]

Pine

White pine, ponderosa, and southern yellow pine are common species used in furniture-making. White pine and ponderosa are typically used for indoor projects, while Southern yellow pine is recommended for outdoor projects due to its durability.^[19]

Common hardwoods used for furniture

Ash

Ash is relatively easy to work with and takes stain well. However, ash is much more difficult to find than other common woods, and will not be found at the local home center. Larger lumber yards should have it in stock.^[18]

Beech

Hardwood of the European species Fagus sylvatica is widely used for furniture framing and carcase construction, in plywood, musical instruments (drum shells and piano blocks), and turned items like knobs.^[20]

Birch

Whether yellow or white birch, these hardwoods are stable and easy to work with. Despite this, birch is prone to blotching when stained, so painting birch products is probably best. Birch is easily found at many home centers and is a relatively inexpensive hardwood.^[18]

Cherry

Easy to work with, cherry wood is in high demand for its reddish-brown color and ease of staining and finishing. Cherry likely will not be at the local home center, but should be bought at a lumberyard for a higher price.^[18] This hardwood is a very common material for furniture, and is resistant to normal wear-and-tear.^[21]

Mahogany

A hardwood, mahogany has a trademark reddish-brown to deep-red tint and is known as "one of the great furniture woods". However, mahogany is not typically grown in sustainably managed forests, and thus commands a steep price at local lumber yards.^[18]

Oak

With two varieties, red and white, oak is known to be easy to work with and relatively strong. However, furniture makers often opt for white oak over red oak for its attractive figure and moisture-resistance.^[18] Depending on the kind needed, oak can probably be found at a local home center or a lumberyard for a bit pricier than other hardwoods.^[22]^[18]^[21]

Maple

With strength, sturdiness, and durability, maple is a common material for bedroom furniture and even china cabinets. Maple is moisture-resistant and frequently displays stand-out swirls in the wood grain, an aesthetically pleasing differentiator from other hardwoods. While most commonly a lighter color, maple can also take stains and paint well.^[21]

Factors in choosing materials

There are many factors to consider when deciding what type of wood to use for a project. One of the most important aspects is the workability of the wood: how it responds when worked by hand or with tools, the quality of the grain, and its response to adhesives and finishes.^[15] When the workability of wood is high, it offers a lower resistance when cutting and has a diminished blunting effect on tools.^[15] Highly workable wood is easier to manipulate into desired forms. If the wood grain is straight and even, it will be much easier to create strong and durable glued joints. Additionally, it will help protect the wood from splitting when nailed or screwed.^[15] Coarse grains require a lengthy process of filing and rubbing down the grain to produce a smooth result.^[15]

Another important factor is the wood's durability, especially with respect to moisture. If the finished project will be exposed to moisture (e.g., outdoor projects) or to high humidity or condensation (e.g., in kitchens or bathrooms), the wood needs to be especially durable to prevent rot. Because of their oily properties, many tropical hardwoods, such as teak and mahogany, are popular for these applications.^[15]

Woods with good working properties

Agba (Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum)
Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Basswood (Tilia americana)
Obeah (Triplochiton scleroxylon)
Pine (Pinus)
Western cedar (Thuja plicata)

Very durable woods

Teak (Tectona grandis)
Iron (Milicia excelsa)
Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)
Chestnut (Castanea)
Oak (Quercus)
Cedar (Thuja)

Woods used for carving

While many woods can be used for carving, there are some clear favorites, including aspen, basswood, butternut, black walnut, and oak.^[23] Because it has almost no grain and is notably soft, Basswood is particularly popular with beginner carvers. It is used in many lower-cost instruments, such as guitars and electric basses.^[23] Aspen is similarly soft, although slightly harder, and readily available and inexpensive.^[23] Butternut has a deeper hue than basswood and aspen and has a nice grain that is easy to carve, and thus friendly for beginners. It is also suitable for furniture.^[23] While more expensive than basswood, aspen, and butternut, black walnut is a popular choice for its rich color and grain.^[23] Lastly, oak is a strong, sturdy, and versatile wood for carving with a defined grain. It is also a popular wood for furniture making.^[23]

Tools

[1]

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[3]

[4]

[5]

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[23]

Clamps	Woodworking clamps. The top left two are f-style clamps. On the right is a quick-grip Irwin clamp. In the bottom middle is a spring clamp.	Clamps are used to hold a workpiece while being worked. Clamps vary in all shapes and sizes, from small C-clamps to very large bar or strap clamps.^[25] A vise is a form of clamp, temporarily or permanently mounted as required. A woodworking vise is a vise specialized to the needs of a woodworker; numerous types have evolved.
Chisels	Five woodworking wood chisels	Chisels are tools with a long blade, a cutting edge, and a handle. Used for cutting and shaping wood or other materials.^[25]
Claw hammer	A common hammer, the claw hammer, used in woodworking and other activities	The claw hammer, which can hammer, pry, and pull nails, is the most common hammer used in woodworking.^[25]
Hand plane	Two woodworking hand planes	A hand plane is used to surface aspects of a workpiece.
Square	A try square. A common style of square in woodworking is usually used for 90-degree angles	The square is used to mark angles on any workpiece. An adjustable square also includes a ruler. A speed square can mark 90 and 45-degree fixed angles and any angle between 0 and 90 degrees using its long axis.^[25]
Tape measure	Tape measure	A tape measure is a retractable or flexible ruler that has measurement increments as small as 1/32" or 1 millimeter.
Handsaw	Three old handsaws	A handsaw, according to Cambridge University, "a saw that is operated by hand rather than using electricity or a motor."^[26]
Files & Rasps	Top two are files. The bottom (orange-handled) tool is a rasp.	Both files and rasps are used to grind down wood material, either to make the surface flat, rounded, concave, or many other shapes. Rasps make deeper cuts, while files make smaller, less harsh cuts in wood. The difference between the two is mainly their tooth size.^[27]

Drill	Cordless electric power drill.	The drill is a tool used to drill a hole or to insert a screw into a workpiece.^[25]
Palm sander	Two palm sanders. The left sander is an orbital palm sander. The sander on the right is a mouse sander. Which uses vibration instead of orbital motions.	A palm sander is a small powered sander that uses either a vibration or orbital motion to move a piece of sandpaper upon the workpiece, making very fine modifications in smoothing your product.^[25]
Compound miter saw	Electric compound miter saw.	A compound miter saw, also known as a chop saw, is a stationary saw used for making precise cuts across the grain path of a board. These cuts can be made at any angle the particular saw is capable of.^[25]
Table saw	Electric plug-in tablesaw for woodworking.	A table saw is intended to make long, precise cuts along the grain pattern of the board, known as rip cuts. Most table saws offer the option of a beveled rip cut.^[25]
Thickness planer		A thickness planer is used to smooth the surface of a board and make it the exact thickness across the entire board.^[25]
Jointer	Powermatic jointer for woodworking.	A jointer is used to produce a flat surface along a board's length and to create a square (or 90°) edge between two adjoining surfaces.^[25]
Band saw	Plug-in band saw.	A band saw^[25] is used to make both irregularly shaped cuts and cuts through material thicker than a table saw can manage. It is much more robust^[28] than the jigsaw or more delicate scroll saw, also regularly used in woodworking.
Drill press	Older drill press. Floor-mounted drill press.	A drill press is an important tool used in woodworking. It is similar to a hand drill but is a table- or floor-mounted machine that uses a shaft with a spring-loaded handle to lower the drill bit into the wood or other material. Many woodworkers use a hand drill, but a drill press is even more accurate and powerful.^[29]
Drum sander		A drum sander is a machine that uses a wide rotating sandpaper drum to sand down a piece of wood as it rolls through the tool. Similar to a planer in how it operates, but instead of blades, a drum sander uses sandpaper.^[30]


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Types	Agroforestry dehesa Analog forestry Bamboo forestry Close to nature forestry Community forestry Ecoforestry Energy forestry Mycoforestry Permaforestry Plantation forestry Social forestry Sustainable forestry Urban forest Urban forestry
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Environmental topics	Acid rain Carbon sequestration Clearcutting Deforestation Ecosystem services Forest degradation Forest dieback Forest fragmentation Forest reference emission level Ghost forest Great Green Wall (Africa) Great Green Wall (China) High grading Illegal logging timber mafia Invasive species wilding Million Tree Initiative National forest monitoring system REDD+ Shifting cultivation chitemene slash-and-burn slash-and-char svedjebruk Timber recycling Tree hugging Urban forest inequity Wildfire
Industries	Coppicing Forest farming Forest gardening Logging Manufacturing lumber plywood pulp and paper sawmilling Products biochar biomass charcoal non-timber palm oil rayon rubber tanbark Rail transport Tree farm Christmas trees Wood engineered fuel mahogany spruce-pine-fir teak Woodworking green woodworking
Occupations	Forester Arborist Bucker Choker setter Ecologist Feller Firefighter handcrew hotshot lookout smokejumper River driver Truck driver Log scaler Lumberjack Ranger Resin tapper Rubber tapper Shingle weaver Timber cruiser Tree planter Wood process engineer
WikiProject Trees portal Category Outline

Authority control databases
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International	GND
National	United States Japan Czech Republic 2 Spain Israel
Other	Historical Dictionary of Switzerland


Architecture Art Body art Ceramics Comics Computer art Craft pallet crafts Decorative arts Design Drawing Digital art Filmmaking Light art Painting Photography Printmaking Public art Rock art Sculpture Site-specific art Street art
List of artistic media


Shared rooms	Bonus room Common room Den Dining room Family room Garret Great room Home cinema Keeping room Kitchen dirty kitchen kitchenette Living room Gynaeceum harem Andron man cave Quiet room Recording studio Recreation room billiard room Shrine Study Sunroom
Private rooms	Bathroom toilet Bedroom closet Bedsit Boudoir Cabinet Nursery
Spaces	Atrium Balcony Gallery Breezeway Conversation pit Cubby-hole Deck Elevator dumbwaiter Entryway/Genkan Fireplace hearth Foyer Hall Hallway Inglenook Lanai Loft Loggia Baldresca Overhang Patio Porch screened sleeping Ramp Secret passage Stairs/Staircase Terrace Veranda Vestibule
Technical, utility and storage	Attic Basement Carport Cloakroom Closet Crawl space Electrical room Equipment room Furnace room / Boiler room Garage Janitorial closet Larder Laundry room / Utility room / Storage room Mechanical room / floor Pantry Root cellar Semi-basement Storm cellar / Safe room Studio Wardrobe Wine cellar Wiring closet Workshop
Great house areas	Antechamber Ballroom Kitchen-related butler's pantry buttery saucery scullery spicery still room Conservatory / Orangery Courtyard Peristyle Quadrangle Drawing room Great chamber Great hall Library Long gallery Lumber room Parlour Sauna Servants' hall Servants' quarters Smoking room Solar State room Swimming pool Turret Undercroft
Other	Furniture Hidden room House house plan styles types Multi-family residential Secondary suite Duplex Terraced Detached Semi-detached Townhouse Studio apartment
Architectural elements	Arch Arcade Balconet Baluster Belt course Bressummer Ceiling Chimney Colonnade / Portico Column Cornice / Eaves Dais Dome Door Ell Floor Foundation Gable Gate Portal Lighting Molding Ornament Podium Plumbing Quoins Roof shingles Roof lantern Sill plate Style list Skylight Threshold Transom Tribune Vault Wall Window
Related	Backyard Driveway Fence Front yard Garden roof garden Home Home improvement Home repair Shed Tree house
Category: Rooms

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Citations and other links

About woodworking

History

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Rome

Ancient China

Modern day

Styles and designs

Materials

Common softwoods used for furniture

Cedar

Fir

Pine

Common hardwoods used for furniture

Ash

Beech

Birch

Cherry

Mahogany

Oak

Maple

Factors in choosing materials

Woods with good working properties

Very durable woods

Woods used for carving

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Notable woodworkers

See also

References

References

Further reading

External links

About design

Designing

History of design

Design education

Design process

Rational model

Criticism of the rational model

Action-centric model

Philosophies

Approaches to design

Types of designing

See also

References

Further reading

About home improvement

Types of home improvement

Comfort

Maintenance and repair

Additional space

Saving energy

Safety, emergency management, security and privacy

Home improvement industry

Renovation contractors

Aggregators

In popular culture

See also

References

Further reading

External links

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