Wood Properties
Softwood
Every Woodwiki guide tagged softwood.
36 guides
1-Inch Plywood
There's no standard 1-inch plywood. Here's what you'll actually find at the store, which grades and cores to choose, and where to source quality sheets.
- Table Saw
- Cabinetry
- Furniture
Beginner · Updated Mar 30, 2026
18 Gauge Nails: When to Use Them and How
18 gauge brad nails explained: diameter specs, holding power data, air pressure settings by wood species, and when to upgrade to 16 gauge.
- Brad Nailer
- Cabinetry
- Furniture
Beginner · Updated Apr 1, 2026
1x4 Lumber: Actual Dimensions, Grades, and Uses
A 1x4 board measures 3/4" × 3-1/2", not 1"×4". Actual dimensions table, lumber grades, wood species, common uses, and when to size up to 5/4 or 2x4.
- Shelf
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
Beginner · Updated Apr 1, 2026
1x6 Lumber: Actual Size, Species, and Grades
A 1x6 board is 3/4" × 5-1/2", not 1"×6". Species comparison, grades explained, defect inspection, and how to choose the right 1x6 for your project.
- Pine
- Poplar
- Cedar
Beginner · Updated Apr 1, 2026
2x3 Pressure Treated Lumber: Size, Uses, and Where to Buy
A 2x3 PT board is 1-1/2" × 2-1/2". Learn what it's treated with, where to find it, what you can build, and which fasteners won't corrode.
- Southern Yellow Pine
- Outdoor
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 1, 2026
2x6 Span Chart
2x6 span chart: DF-L #2 spans 9'-9" at 16" OC. Full tables by species and grade, deck joists, shelf sag guidance, and safety margins.
- Outdoor
- Shelf
- Workbench
Beginner · Updated Apr 3, 2026
4x4x8 Lumber
A 4x4x8 is 3½ × 3½ × 8' actual. Here's which treatment level to buy, what load it handles as a post, and when to size up.
- Outdoor
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 3, 2026
Ambrosia Maple
Ambrosia maple is soft maple with beetle-track figure. Learn what causes the streaks, how to finish it without stain, and which beginner projects suit it best.
- Red Maple
- Silver Maple
- Hardwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Automotive 2K Clear Coat for Woodworking
Master the use of 2K aerosol clear coat on wood — from chemistry to application to troubleshooting.
- Hardwood
- Softwood
- Tropical
Intermediate · Updated Mar 28, 2026
Best Stainable Wood Filler
Stainable wood filler fills nail holes before you stain. Honest guide to what works, what doesn't, and how to get repairs that are nearly invisible.
- Putty Knife
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Best Wood for Staining
Oak stains evenly. Pine blotches. The difference is grain structure. Learn which species accept stain well and what to do with the difficult ones.
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Blue Pine
Blue pine is regular pine lumber with a blue-grey discoloration from a harmless fungus. It's structurally sound, non-toxic, and often priced at a discount.
- Southern Yellow Pine
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Brad Point Drill Bits
Brad point bits drill clean, accurate holes in wood. Learn the anatomy, pick the right HSS set, master the technique, and stop tearout for good.
- Brad Point Drill Bit
- Power Tool
- Hybrid
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Card Scraper: How to Choose, Sharpen, and Use One
A card scraper cuts wood with a burnished hook, not abrasion. Handles figured grain that defeats a plane. Learn to choose, sharpen, and use one.
- Card Scraper
- Hand Tool Only
- Figured
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Cedar Pergola
Cedar pergolas cost more upfront but save thousands over 20 years. Material comparison, sizing tables, construction details, and finishing.
- Western Red Cedar
- Outdoor
- Power Tool
Beginner · Updated Apr 1, 2026
Cedar Planter Box — Plans, Cut List, and Step-by-Step Build Guide
Build a cedar planter box that resists rot for 15+ years. Plans, cut list, assembly steps, drainage design, and finishing options for garden planters.
- Western Red Cedar
- Drill
- Circular Saw
Beginner · Updated Apr 1, 2026
Coffee Table With Drawer
Learn to build a coffee table with drawer from scratch. Covers frame joinery, drawer box sizing, metal slide installation, and finishing for daily use.
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Drill
- Router
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Cross Lap Joint
A cross lap joint notches two pieces to half their thickness so they interlock flush — no table saw needed. Step-by-step with a circular saw and chisels.
- Circular Saw
- Chisel
- Hand Tool Only
Beginner · Updated Apr 5, 2026
Dovetail Joints
Dovetail joints lock two boards with wedge-shaped tails and pins. Learn how they work, the five types, proportions, and when to choose another joint.
- Through Dovetail
- Hand Cut
- Furniture
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Dust Extractor
A dust extractor captures fine wood dust before it goes airborne. Learn how it differs from a shop vac, which filter class you need, and what to buy.
- Power Tool
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 5, 2026
Ebonizing Wood
Ebonize wood with iron acetate: understand the tannin-iron reaction, which species work best, how to make the solution, and how to fix gray or uneven results.
- Ebonizing
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 5, 2026
Electric Hand Planer
An electric hand planer trims doors, chamfers edges, and levels site lumber. Learn what it actually does, when to buy one, and the best models by budget.
- Electric Hand Planer
- Power Tool
- Chamfering
Beginner · Updated Apr 5, 2026
Face Frame
A face frame is the solid wood front of a cabinet box. Learn standard dimensions, joinery methods, attachment techniques, and multi-cabinet run planning.
- Poplar
- Soft Maple
- Pocket Hole Jig
Intermediate · Updated Apr 8, 2026
How to Refinish Wood Furniture
Strip, repair, stain, and refinish any wood furniture — with specific products, sanding progressions, and species-matched finish recommendations.
- Random Orbit Sander
- Brush
- Heat Gun
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
How to Tell If Wood Is Pressure Treated
Check the end tag first. No tag? Look for a green tint, incision marks, and chemical smell. For high stakes, use a copper test kit.
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Knotty Alder Cabinets
Knotty alder: 590 Janka, easy to work, stains beautifully, and costs less than cherry. Properties, grades, finishing, and when it's the right choice.
- Alder
- Cabinetry
- Hardwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 8, 2026
Maple Janka Hardness
Hard maple rates 1,450 lbf on the Janka scale — one of the highest domestic hardwoods. Learn what the number means and when to choose hard vs. soft maple.
- Hard Maple
- Soft Maple
- Hardwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Marine-Grade Plywood
Marine-grade plywood has a void-free core and WBP adhesive—but it's not waterproof wood. Learn the standards, species, and when ACX is the smarter buy.
- Okoume
- Sapele
- Meranti
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Nominal Wood Sizes
Nominal vs actual lumber dimensions for every common board size, plus the hardwood quarter system, plywood thickness, and how to avoid project mistakes.
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Oil-Based Wood Stain
How to apply oil-based wood stain correctly — surface prep, application technique, drying times, topcoat compatibility, and safe rag disposal.
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Rain Barrel Stand
Build a wooden rain barrel stand that holds 500 lbs and stands 24 inches for gravity feed. Cut list and assembly steps for the box frame design.
- Western Red Cedar
- Drill
- Speed Square
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
Build raised panel cabinet doors step by step — frame sizing, cope-and-stick profiling, panel raising, and assembly with a floating panel that won't crack.
- Router Table
- Table Saw
- Raised Panel Bit
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Roll-Up Cabinet Doors
Learn how to build roll-up tambour cabinet doors: slat dimensions, groove routing, canvas assembly, and troubleshooting in one complete guide.
- Table Saw
- Router
- Router Table
Beginner · Updated Apr 12, 2026
Wood Screw Sizes Chart
Complete wood screw sizes chart with gauge, diameter, pilot hole, and clearance hole specs. Includes selection rules by stock thickness, wood species, and application.
- Hardwood
- Softwood
Beginner · Updated Apr 8, 2026
Sheet Goods for Cabinets
The complete guide to choosing sheet goods for cabinet building — plywood, MDF, particleboard, TFL, HPL, real wood veneer, edgebanding, and 20+ brands compared with specs, tables, and sourcing guidance.
- Cabinetry
- Power Tool
- Hardwood
Intermediate · Updated Mar 30, 2026
Wooden Work Bench
A workbench is a tool, not just a table. How to find your height, choose the right design, and build one from construction lumber in a weekend.
- Workbench
- Hand Cut
- Edge Gluing
Beginner · Updated Apr 3, 2026