I'm new to woodworking and trying to figure out when to use different types of wood. I've heard that plywood is excellent for structural components since you won't see them, but I feel a bit lost beyond that. My experience goes back to high school, where we mainly used radiata pine. I've also done some teaching where we mostly worked with Tasmanian Oak. What I really want to know is how to decide which type of wood to use. When should I choose softwood over hardwood, and what factors make a wood suitable for a project?
1 Answer
It really depends on the aesthetic you're going for! Like you mentioned, plywood is great for structural parts — for example, using 1/4 inch plywood for the back panel of a bookshelf is smart. But if you want a bookshelf that looks nice on display, then hardwoods like walnut or oak are the way to go for the visible areas. Pine is super versatile and much cheaper than hardwoods, making it a favorite for beginners. It's easy to work with, and you can stain it to achieve different looks, so if you mess up, it won’t break the bank!
Does pine hold up as well as hardwood for strength, though? I plan to build furniture for my workshop and thought about using pine as the main material. Would it be strong enough for a bed frame too?