11/13, 6pm-8pm, Understanding Wood

Understanding Wood

with Darrel DeBoer

How do you look at a a huge stack of wood at a mill or lumber yard, and know which four pieces will work best for your woodworking project? What species and shape do you choose? What should you look for in grain and texture, or whether a piece is plain or quarter sawn? Some woods are five times as dense as others, and some will bend into curves with ease or can be carved by hand.

Learn how to predict with a quick glance at a piece of wood if your furniture will twist, cup, or break. Find out what locally grown species can look and feel like expensive, tropical Rosewood. Wood is always moving; how can you fix it if something cracks or shifts?

In this class, local architect and woodworker Darrel DeBoer of Neighborhood Woods will explore the basics of working with wood in any woodworking projects. Darrel's local mill specializes in custom projects, reclaimed wood, dimensional lumber, and beautiful locally sourced woods including black acacia, walnut, Monterey pine, bay, madrone, live oak, eucalyptus, and more. He is the go-to woodworking class instructor at The Shed, and you can see his live-edge furniture at The Good Table and around the El Sobrante Triangle area.