Replies

1. 
   JiminFla | Jul 26, 2007 09:53pm | #1

   Willy,

   I'm sure you'll get a million answers to this question here, but quartersawn lumber will expand and contract less than flatsawn lumber.  For most furniture projects, this is a significant consideration. 

   Jim

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jul 26, 2007 10:02pm | #2

   Due to its stability, quarterwawn wood is generally considered superior to flat or riftsawn stock.

   And in the case of white oak wood (used in Mission or Craftsman styles), quartersawn white oak displays unique grain patterns known as "rays" or "flecks". Red oak does not have the rays when quartersawn, but simetimes will have a bit of a wavyness in the (otherwise straight) grain.

   But note that quartersawn wood will also be (generally) rather straight grained. If you're wanting to do something with some curl in the grain for aesthetic purposes, you might want to look for other stock. Same is true if you want the "cathedral" look to the grain patterns.

    

    

    

    

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

1. 
   jimmy | Jul 27, 2007 03:46am | #5

   QSRO does have the rays and flecks etc....

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jul 27, 2007 09:10pm | #9

    

   QSRO does have the rays and flecks etc....

    

   Sometimes. Not nearly as regularly as white oak, and generally not nearly as pronounced. But yes, it has them.

    

    Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jul 26, 2007 10:33pm | #3

   Quartersawn is often used for stiles and rails to provide a frame which can enhance flatsawn panels.  Also it is often used for legs as well.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   GHR | Jul 27, 2007 02:20am | #4

   Turners prefer quarter sawn wood.

5. 
   kenshep | Jul 27, 2007 04:48pm | #6

   Tabletops and large panels will move less (humidity variations) if Q/S wood is used.  For white oak the rays are presented optimally for mission/arts and craft style furniture.

   The problem is price.  Sawyers want to maximize output so flat sawn usually wins since you can get more boardfeet out of a log with the flat saw approach.  Veneering can be a compromise to get the look and maximize your coverage.

    

6. 
   brad805 | Jul 27, 2007 06:31pm | #7

   I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe many floor manuf use quartersawn, I understand most use Grade 2.  The cost would be far greater. 

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jul 27, 2007 08:14pm | #8

   Quartersawn is certainly available for white oak flooring.  I haven't priced it precisely, but was told that it would be roughly 20% higher. 

7. 
   BoardmanWI | Jul 28, 2007 02:47am | #10

   Quatersawn red oak will have some ray fleck apperance also, but it's irregular and not as attractive as QS white oak.  There ar ea few other species also (sycamore, etc) that have a better appearance quartersawn.  But most commonly used furniture type species like maple, walnut, cherry, look far better flat sawn.

8. 
   AdamCherubini | Jul 29, 2007 05:31pm | #11

   18th century craftsmen seemed to prefer QS material for drawer parts, especially sides. QS drawer sides reduce the probability of stuck drawers in the Summer. But I'm not sure they chose the material for this reason. It may be that these components were not actually sawn, but rived (and I have some evidence suggesting as much).

   The problem with QS material is that it is never available in great widths. Many instances in traditional joinery don't require dimensional stability (like carcass sides which expand and contract together and are restrained from cupping via the dovetails joining them) or even table tops to some extent. So despite its stability, QS is not universally better.

   Truly QS material is typically only available in a small range of species. But you can find its functional equivalent in flat sawn boards sawn near the heart of the tree. Look for wide Pine (1x12's) at your local lumber yard or home center. You will undoubtedly find boards that when ripped provide nice clear QS like stock.

   Adam

1. 
   Tony Z | Jul 30, 2007 08:16pm | #13

   You can go a step further:  all logs flat sawn will produce a certain number of pieces that are quartersawn and some rift sawn.

   When purchasing lumber from your friendly "big box" all the piles have QS intermixed.  You're going to be sorting anyway (now none of us take right off the top do we?  we're all looking for the straightest, etc.), so you may as well sort for QS stock. 

   My preference is QS, unless I want a piece for the effect of the grain.

9. 
   BobMc | Jul 29, 2007 06:56pm | #12

   http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/ch03.pdf

   Pages two to four (2-4) apply to this discussion. 

   One of the hardwood suppliers I use told me that a sawyer needs a pretty big log to quarter saw, otherwise the board widths aren't much use.  As noted, when plain-sawing. the middle three boards will be quarter-sawn.  If the sawyer sets out to quarter saw the entire log, the board are narrower. But you knew that.