Replies

1. 
   trialnut | Jan 16, 2007 06:57pm | #1

   There is a "Woods of the World" CD put out by ForestWorld.com.  I have a copy and personally am disapointed with it. I guess the info is there on it but IIRC it is not real user friendly to navigate. Can't remember exactly what the problem was for me as I purchased the CD about four years ago, popped it in when it came and haven't looked at it since. Maybe I should find it and give it another go now that I have upgraded my PC. If you want more info let me know and I will dig the rascal out of hiding.

   Rich

   The Professional Termite

2. 
   Rich14 | Jan 16, 2007 07:55pm | #2

   Here are a few names. They are available on Amazon:

   Encyclopedia of Wood (Aidan Walker)

   World Woods in Color

   The Real Wood Bible

   Know Your Woods: A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers

   Identifying Wood (R. Bruce Hoadley)

   Rich

1. 
   kenledger | Jan 16, 2007 08:32pm | #3

   Thanks for that Rich, off to have a look right nowken

3. 
   Lataxe | Jan 16, 2007 09:24pm | #4

   Ken,

   I recommend "What Wood is That" by Herbert L Edlin.  It's text is OK but its great advantage is the 40 veneer samples of various actual timbers, mounted in a fold-out card in the front of the book.  The veneer is unfinished so you can even try your own oil, shellac, wax or whatever on it.

   ISBN 0 85442 008 8

   Lataxe

4. 
   RickL | Jan 16, 2007 09:27pm | #5

   http://cambiumbooks.com/books/wood/

   Also http://www.woodworking.org/WC/woodsampler.html

5. 
   flipstuff | Jan 17, 2007 06:18am | #6

   hi ken --
   i was in the same boat a few months ago, and i looked at about 10 books on woods in a few bookstores, including almost all on rich14's list.

   i picked the Encyclopedia of Wood because the info table + descriptions are thorough and well designed, but in the end i chose it primarily because of the quality and clarity of the color pictures: it was the most true to life of all the books i'd seen. (poor color and blurry pics can make a wood sample look like a completely different species!)

   for wood samples, i ordered a veneer sampler pack from lee valley or woodcraft (can't remember which. i think lee valley still sells a big pizza box of samples. )

   with these two references i feel pretty confident about pre-selecting a wood before i make the trip to the local supplier.

   hope that helps.
   philip

6. 
   ASK | Jan 17, 2007 04:44pm | #7

   Ken,

   This is not a book but is a rather incredible site with pictures of more woods than I new existed.

   http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/indextotal.htm

   ASK

1. 
   kenledger | Jan 17, 2007 08:00pm | #8

   Now that is a good web page. Cheers mate.I can see i wont be able to get my hands on 99% of that here in the UK

1. 
   ASK | Jan 17, 2007 08:09pm | #9

   I keep waivering back and forth as to whether or not to spend the $100 and get the samples.

   I don't remember how I found it but I was looking for a piece of Gabon Ebony and did a google search.

   ASK