Wood Library - Beech

Gary one of the samples that I sent you was a wood that I called yellow Beech. You had a sample that you called yellow birch.

Can you tell if they are the same or not.?

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Thanks for doing all this, Gary!

I was going to suggest that you put these Wood Library posts under a Series, but I guess if you have them all tagged appropriately (which you do), it’s the same difference. But if it’s under a Series it would be easier to go from one Wood Library post to the next one.

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Eric – It is in a series kinda. Click on “Stickies” above and select “Lumberjocks Wood Library”.

That will take you to a page describing the series and the links.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

Oh I see! That helps. Thanks.

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

I use beech quite a lot here – I love the wood for its ease of working and appearance, but unfortunately, it is no so much in favoure as a wood for furniture here in Europe.

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

I agree with you Gary,this is a nice wood to work with.It has been used for European work benches and tool handles,toys.etc for years.Its about as hard as Eastern Maple but I find it easier to work with.Less tearout and router burns sand out easier.Our cabinet shop typically uses Euro Steamed Red Beech,and it comes in nice straight,flat boards with very little waste, almost an S4S select grade.The color matches throughout a unit of lumber very consistantly.

We just completed a $60,000.00 cabinet job using this wood and plywood,and it came out beautiful.The finish was clear conversion varnish,so there wasnt any surprises there.(Staining can be an issue….splotches and uneven absorbtion.)

Our shop builds custom cabinets using many species of wood and this E.S.R.Beech just hasnt caught on in our area,mainly due to the fact that it is so even in color and the grain is so subtle.People in our area prefer a wood with more character.Just a personal choice.

Our distributers claim that it is very popular in other regions,partly due to its low cost and high quality.

We order a “Superior” grade,straight lined and planed to 13/16’’ and we pay $2.99bft.Thats the same cost as a “Prime” grade select Eastern Red Oak,milled the same.Prices will vary from region to region and E.S.R.Beech may likely not even be available in many areas.

American Beech is a good hard wood also,but varies in color greatly.You wont mistake these two woods.

-- If I can do it, so can you. www.artboxesbyandy.com