Dealing with Sapwood

some links to other posts
forum post 1

forum post 2

They might not directly address you ?’s but might help

I usually find the sapwood and accentuate it. Some really interesting things can be done using the sapwood. Basically, I do not worry about it. If it is there, it is there. I am one that lets the wood look like it wants to look.

-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA

I like the contrast and character it gives. It depends on the project though.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

if I have sapwood, I tend to cut and bookmatch it to add interest to my work.

-- making sawdust....

I generally leave it alone. To me it adds an interesting visual detail to the wood. I like to blend woods and wood colors to add visual interest to the piece.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Some projects I like the added contrast, esspecially if you can bookmatch the board and use the sapwood for a tabletop with a really nice contrast or the front of a cabinet or something like that. Some projects tho, I just try to plan ahead and cut it out in the early stages.

-- Steve-o

Thanks to all that responded. I sometimes like the added contrast too, but sometimes it isn’t appropriate depending on the location of the sapwood.

I usually design around sapwood also, but cherry sometimes tricks me. The sapwood becomes heavily exaggerated as the cherry begins to develop it’s natural dark patina. The sapwood doesn’t do this, so the contarst increases with time.

I just thought I’d see how others deal with sapwood that has already made it into a project by mishap.

-- -Brian of High Point, NC (http://www.garagewoodworks.com)

Brian, if you wipe down the board with some mineral spirits it will simulate a finish and usually you can find the sap wood that way.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com