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Hickory?

2K views 24 replies 18 participants last post by  JimDwight 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I recently acquired about 100+ BF of very beautiful 6/4, kiln-dried hickory at a very low price. Interestingly I don't seem to see many people using hickory for projects. Currently, the only project I know for sure that I'll use it for is to make a new axe handle. That will leave me… pretty much all of it when I'm done. I'm still relatively new to this hobby and I'm looking for ideas as to what else hickory would be a good choice for, and maybe just as importantly, what type of things should it NOT be used for?

Oh, and I also have the option to get at least that much and possibly twice that much more. However, if it's not a popular wood to work with, maybe I should pass. Thoughts?
 
#4 ·
Check out Jay Bates on Youtube, he's done several projects with it, I've heard its a bit rough on blades, but have not had the fortune to get to use any.
 
#5 ·
Very hard wood that is difficult to machine. Planers don't like it one bit.
Makes great tool handles, base ball bats and flooring. You might also make cutting boards out of it; long grain or end grain. If you have a lathe you might try turning some of it.
I never pass up free wood. It doesn't go bad if stored properly and you may need it later.
 
#12 ·
Is it harder than hard maple? Or is it just prone to splintering?

- bbasiaga
Both, but for me it was the splintering that was the biggest problem…especially when trying to shape the edges. On the Janka scale hickory is listed as being quite a bit harder than Hard maple.
 
#14 ·
You guys that responded about how hard it is to work it must be using hand tools. I've done a lot with Hickory per customers requests, and only had one splinter along a door edge. Otherwise, it was as easy to mill as Alder. Since I haven't heard any complaints from my customers, I guess the wood is holding up.

Phil, you said you just got a 100+ bdft now. If you have the money to get the rest, get it and start making stuff, using electricity as you main power source, and you will not have any problems. ................ Jerry (in Tucson)
 
#16 ·
My solid raised panel Hickory cabinet doors are still flat and true after 5 years. Ditto for the solid drawer fronts and some of them are fairly wide and tall. Also used Hickory in all three bathrooms, but went with Shaker style doors with Hickory ply center panels as I expected the moisture might effect a solid raised panel in the baths. They are holding up well no issues. The cabinet boxes…wait for it…3/4 inch Hickory plywood and drawers are dovetail jointed maple. Solid granite countertops throughout the house also.

When I had this house built 5 years ago I toured dozens of new construction homes and was shocked what crappy cabinets builders were using in $500k homes, sad really.
 
#17 ·
Thank you Jerry. I feel a little better about it now after hearing from everybody here. I just agreed to get two more logs and have them milled and dried too. I'm probably going to end up making so many things out of it I'll be known as "The Hickory Guy."

You guys that responded about how hard it is to work it must be using hand tools. I ve done a lot with Hickory per customers requests, and only had one splinter along a door edge. Otherwise, it was as easy to mill as Alder. Since I haven t heard any complaints from my customers, I guess the wood is holding up.

Phil, you said you just got a 100+ bdft now. If you have the money to get the rest, get it and start making stuff, using electricity as you main power source, and you will not have any problems. ................ Jerry (in Tucson)

- Nubsnstubs
 
#21 ·
I am rapidly becoming a HUGE fan of kitchen cabinets made from hickory. I think I like the look of that even more than white oak.

Here is the almost finished kitchen in my new home. The cabinets and floors are both Hickory. I like it. Around here, Hickory is very popular for cabinets though most of them are stained.

Cabinetry Countertop Furniture Building Wood


- ArtMann
 

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#22 ·
My sister has Cherry cabinets, they look great but they are soft and prone to damage, my Hickory cabinets are so hard they don't get damaged. Given their weight I did put soft close mechanics on all the doors and drawers.

I am rapidly becoming a HUGE fan of kitchen cabinets made from hickory. I think I like the look of that even more than white oak.

Here is the almost finished kitchen in my new home. The cabinets and floors are both Hickory. I like it. Around here, Hickory is very popular for cabinets though most of them are stained.

Cabinetry Countertop Furniture Building Wood


- ArtMann

- PhilLight
 

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#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Love hickory!!! You can use it for anything that you want, pretty much… It wears like iron. I have not had too much troubles with splintering, just keep things sharp and climb cut with the router on the first pass if you're going to rout it. Here's a link to the hickory floor I installed at my parents house:
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/262202

I personally love mixing it with Walnut too. I really like the contrast of all the colors.
 
#25 ·
I put in around 700 ft2 of prefinished natural hickory flooring. I've used scraps to make a few things for the shop but not really used it for woodworking. With normal power tools, I would not be afraid at all to make things out of it. The only characteristic to think about if the color variation. Cherry and walnut sapwood is much lighter than the hardwood but other than that, the boards tend to be similar. Hickory goes from black to white with multiple browns inbetween - or at least my flooring does. That makes it more suitable for informal pieces, to me (I like that kitchen, I would be happy to have one like it). If you like the colors, I would go for it.

I didn't notice it being more prone to splintering than oak (I've also installed oak flooring and built multiple pieces of furniture out of it). I accept it is harder although I would say that like the color seems to vary.
 
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