Check out this poplar , I am in the process of making a freestanding cabinet for my wife , have not started on the stand yet, Door frame is schedua as the base will be, The rest is poplar. It came out of 14′ x 18″ by 4/4 board in the rough. Will post more when complete
Replies
Too bad you couldn't have gotten the full tree in boards. You never exactly know what's buried under bark. Pearls from oysters !!
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Very nice job on the cabinet. Have you decided on a finish yet? Would be a shame to paint over that grain. Never tried to stain poplar myself but did successfully spray orange shellac on a bookcase.
mike
Mike , No paint here,probably an oil varnish mixture.
Ok, who let the trees look at Van Gogh paintings again?
Seriously thats going to be beautiful! Please post more pics when finished.
Thos.
That's just gorgeous lumber! And I like the way you grain matched the side and top boards. I agree - that calls for just a varnish finish - too good not to show off.
Thanks, I will post more shots when complete.
Edited 3/27/2008 10:03 am ET by gofigure57
Nice joinery on your cabinet too.
I wonder if it is balm of gilliad (sp?) - also a poplar? I had several of these that blew down in a windstorm and the grain/color looks very similar.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 3/27/2008 2:37 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Yep, balsam poplar, of which there are a couple of North American varieties. The "balm" refers to some slop that is made from the resin, supposed to have healing properties.
Jim
Jim,
I kinda butchered the spelling, it's Balm of Gilead: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balm_of_Gilead
We have a bunch of them on the edge of our field near the river. I've got 4 10' logs about 24" in diameter waiting at the sawyer to be sawn. Right now they're frozen solid.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
The wood commercially sold as "poplar" (sometimes "yellow poplar" or "tulip poplar") is actually tuliptree, a kind of magnolia, and isn't closely related to true poplar at all. True poplar is related to aspen, cottonwood and willow, and is rarely seen in commercial trade, as the wood tends to be soft and stringy.
-Steve
Gofigure,
That grain is gorgeous!
I have never understood why everyone just paints poplar. It is a beautiful wood and (such as your case) can be more interesting than higher priced wood like spalted maple.
congrats.
gk
You know, I've thought the same thing about poplar, but have been too timid to go public saying such nice things about such a "lowly" wood. Thanks for making the point.Norman
Aint nuthin bad about Poplar. If you can hide the greenish streaks with stain or dye, you're good to go.
Blewcrow thats only if you do not like them .
It's actually called rainbow poplar when that happens for obvious reasons, which I think is basically the fancy name for spalted poplar. I've attached a photo of a more extreme example. Cool stuff though. Cheers.
Russ.
http://www.jensenfinefurniture.com
Edited 3/27/2008 5:21 pm ET by Russell
Russell thats a nice piece indeed.
I have seen some colorful popular but NOTHING like that! You fibbin us? I wonder?
Now if you could somehow keep those colors over time in a table top!
I see it relatively often at my supplier in widths up to about 18". But.. haven't seen the blues in a while with greens.. browns and deep purples being common. I just finished some drawers in poplar and would have loved to get some the blue stuff. I didn't have enough of the deep purple to do 6 drawers.. so I opted around it till I accumulate enough for something else.
Here's a picture of how shellac shades the poplar if you are interested in staying clear with just a slight glow..
Nice joinery... I like joinery as it has a beauty all by itself...
Regards...
Sarge..
Thanks Sarge. your shop is incredible, nice set up.
Browns and green almost always here. Sometimes some red! Not sure if I have seen other colors?
The purples are pretty common on stock I've seen for years down our way, Will. The blues used to be, but I haven't seen any in quite a while till GF posted this. I don't know if it a southern poplar thing or not.. My source which is Suwanee Lumber just told me (I just made a phone call) that most of their poplar comes from Kentucky.
Secondary is similar to fine... depends on who is defining either IMO. One man's (or woman's) poison is another's cup of tea.. Life is simple for some and complicated by others.
Regards...
Sarge..
Well got the knife hinges cut in and sanded for finish, Still need to make the stand and maby some trim for the top. This is one coat of finish , so far I'm pleased with the color. I used some dovetailed gooves to set shelves, instead of trying to glue them in, as the fit was fairly snug , I just slid them and fastened with small screws from the back, then doweled through the sides with walnut and wenge wedges. on the front end of the shelves where the door recesses in I glued in a wenge dovetail plug.
Wow! Seriously good looking! I really love the color and grain. I have seen a lot of purple and green streaks locally, but nothing to this extreme. I bet you wish you had a bunch more of this.
Bruce
"A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan
Edited 3/28/2008 2:51 pm ET by Wingdoctor
Wing , Sure do wish that, I do have one more board 22"x 9'.
Thanks
You like the cover... I love the color. Looks fantastic! What type of finish did you use for future reference as I may decide to go there for a skinny dip?
Regards...
Sarge
Sarge, Finish is for me, is sanding to 400 and burnishing with cotton rag, then Boiled linseed oil / tougne oil / poly. Maloofs blend in a can. I'll tell, ya after just one coat , It is looking good, I thought the poplar would suck it up , the fine sanding and rag really worked here.
I do about the same with regular stock GF. I go to 380 to intentionally burnish and then apply Watco. Let it cure and wax or add finish and buff with 500 Abralon. Then wax. The drawers are nothing more than sanded to 380 and shellac (clear) to seal as they will be hidden the majority of the time.
Again.. nice project and another coat is just icing on the cake.
Regards...
Sarge..
Sarge whats GF?
"Sarge whats GF?" ..
***
I'm not sure.. I suppose you will have to Go Figure.... ha.. ha...
Some of us old folks have to take short-cuts to get a few sentences done before the grim reaper shows up at the door.. saves energy also.
Sort of a habit I picked up in the military.. if someone's last name was say Goldenbuiesky... he would be GB or just Gold. My last name is Thompson... I was tagged Tom even though not close to my first name. In Vietnam.. I got the handle of Sniper Tom which pretty much idenified me and my job without major detail.
Handles can tell a lot sometimes.... I can tell from your handle that you were born in 1957.. Guess what the 47 in Sarge-grinder47 means? And I do have an original Captain America Secret De-coder Ring.. he....
Regards...
Sarge..
Edited 3/29/2008 12:49 am ET by SARGEgrinder47
Maybe I should change my screen name to Dumb A$$$.
I just missed the draft. I did 3 years active, 3 reserve in the Navy, Worked on nukes. My son Thomas is currently in the Marine Corp Finishing up his infantry training. He has certainly gained my Respect.
Edited 3/29/2008 8:28 am ET by gofigure57
And now you know "deck jockey".. so no salt water excuses.
Sometimes things are so simple.. but we complicate them by over-thinking. I looked for a set of keys once for 15 minutes until my lovely pointed out they were being held in my left hand. Women don't forget those type things either. It gets brought up at a family get-together.
I have much respect for Thomas going through infantry training with the Corps also. I worked under tactical command of 3rd Marine Div. in I Corp.. VN. with their Scout Snipers and Recon. I never met one I felt I couldn't depend on when the going got rough. They are some tough cookies and won't back off till the job gets done.
BTW... when you see him, throw this his way. If it's 3 A.M. in the morning.. in the Navy it's Three Bells.. in the Army it's 0:300 hours.. in the Marine Corp the little hand is on 3, the big hand is on 12. :>) See if that gets under his skin. And you might duck just as a pre-cautionary measure. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..
BTW... I did my 3 years also and 3 years reserve. When returning from Rangers in VN with 5 pieces of rocket propelled grenade in my back I was ask to re-up for a grade promotion. I calculated I was making $13.88 a day with combat pay. No thanks.. I'll take a chance on the outside, sir.
The Sarge got tagged at Year One where I worked for 10 years. We had about 35 John's and I Alpha.. Bravo.. Charlie.. Delta everything. So... my phone name was dubbed Sarge by the powers that be. Unless you were management or human resources there.. nobody knew my real name. I was just Sarge..
Keep up the excellent work...
Sarge..
Edited 3/29/2008 10:21 am ET by SARGEgrinder47
Sarge ,have you ever read Lone Survivor, By Marcus Luttrell, US Navy Seal. An Incredible story. I never did any time on board ships, most of my work was land based in underground bunkers the size of gymnasiums. I applaud you on your service and return from it , Those were difficult times.
Thanks, Thomas Love.
Have not, Tom. I'll see if the library may have it and try it on your recommendation. I spend a ton of time in the shop anymore and would have to squeeze it in.. but I do love to read.
Off to re-saw...
Regards...
Sarge..
Sorry Sarge, but that would be six bells. One for each half hour of the watch, starting over at the begining.
Thos
Thank you Thos as it's just a little joke I heard long ago from a Marine I worked with in I Corp, VN. I was not aware of a bell per half hour. Obviously he wasn't either. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..
But.. now that I do know... there's a Navy recruitment office just up the street. I'm going to jump in my bass boat and head that way armed with over-whelming branch info. And if I walk in armed with a mop in my hand.. that should convince em that 60 is not to old to re-up and See the World. :>)
Just kiddin' of course...
Sarge..
I was not aware of a bell per half hour. Obviously he wasn't either.
And the ship arrived a month later than it should have!
Carefull Sarge they might be paying attention.;oD)
Thos
Some of us old folks have to take short-cuts to get a few sentences done before the grim reaper shows up at the door.. saves energy also.
Grim Reaper came to my door. It took me so long to come to the door to let him in.. I understand he went to the neighbors house!
I just don't open the door for anyone.. it may be the GR or one of those folks with tracts.. ahh.... never mind.
Regards...
Sarge..
That is some beautiful stuff. The grain really shines under that finish.When I was in college, I lived with my grandfather in CT for a while. One night after a tremendous storm, I went out for a walk around his property and there were three Tulip Poplars that had been struck by lightning. These trees were at least 125 feet tall and two of the three were split down the middle, one half standing and one half on the ground. I can remember looking up at the bright purple of the wood. Pretty amazing. If I had had the means back then to hire someone with a sawmill to come and cut them up for me, I would still be using lumber from those huge trees.Andy
It can certainly be pretty, but keep it away from the sun. UV will turn most of those pretty colors to dull browns & blacks.
but keep it away from the sun. UV will turn most of those pretty colors to dull browns & blacks. Just like people!
Unusual poplar?? Not sure it is THAT Unusual..
I do a few things in Poplar and 'looks' for the wood you show.. Everybody else seems to leave it behind.. The blue turns brown mostly when finishing.
When I use it I usually do not stain.. Just Tung oil and wax and let it 'Show' whatever it comes out as... About the only 'sort of soft wood' I use..
A really nice wood if you like wood for what it is and not something you change to something else.
So called secondary wood! Not by my standards! OK, so it 'dings' easy but so does oak if you hit it hard enough!
You are correct, I was at Ripler today purchasing some knife hinges. While looking around I spotted some spalted poplar, actually beautiful stuff, amongst those boards I noticed apiece with the same colors as well as minor spalting. Mine has no spalting, but dose have some nice figure on the door panel, which will become more visible when the finish is applied. I will keep it out of the sun, as far as the colors changing, I expect that. The contrast of the shading will always be interesting. As far as secondary wood, I agree with you Will. I recently used a piece of wood that came from an 8' long pallet as a decorative center piece over a kitchen sink. It looked like it had a decease that created knots through out. I free formed the edges, cut out seven heart shapes in between the knots on the board, On for each member of the family, then inserted hearts made of cherry in the cut outs, laminated it all to a 9' x 14" x 3/4" piece of alder and placed above the kitchen sink window of the same length. Looked like the hearts were floating in a river of knots. This was all done as a surprise from me to her. When she saw it she loved it , she was so touched it made her cry. All from a piece of wood destined for the trash.
Edited 3/28/2008 8:23 am ET by gofigure57
Edited 3/28/2008 8:24 am ET by gofigure57
Edited 3/28/2008 9:22 am ET by gofigure57
but dose have .. My kind of guy! Spells like I think! dose, the smallest amount of a substance required to produce a measurable effect on a living organism..
cut out seven heart shapes in between the knots on the board.. KNOTS! I hardly ever see KNOTS in poplar!
This was all done as a surprise from me to her.. If the wife may last forever.. If a girlfriend maybe start a new project tomorrow for her!
EDIT: Either is OK!
Edited 3/28/2008 8:50 am by WillGeorge
This board was not poplar , I thinking it was maybe oak , need to get som pics.
as a shop teacher, i go through alot of poplar each year as it is the lowest priced hardwood i can get. i've come across boards that were similar to yours.
nice looking dovetails.
eef
GF, extra nice wood color and craftsmanship! The schedua is attractive as well. I have a piece of it laying around in my shop and know that it's not cheap. It goes well with the browns in the poplar. How did you decide on that wood combination? and how does the schedua work? It's a wood you don't hear much about. Bill
Lindau. Thanks, As For the Schedua This is the first time I have worked with it. I use power and hand tools, seems to work just fine. Fairly hard as wood goes.
As far as using this combination, In the rough the two woods seemed to have similar color tones so I went with it.
I have some 8/4 that I will be making a stand for this case out of
today. I posted some more recent pics on post 29 with first coat of finish on case, Turning out nice so far.
Edited 3/29/2008 9:21 am ET by gofigure57
Yesterday, I would have said no, straight out, if someone offered me a poplar log. Now I'd have to think about it. Is the colour easily identifiable from the end grain as well?
Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Could not tell you , Boards I purchased were in the rough. I would think it would show at the end grain.
You can easily see the color from the end grain if the color does extend all the way to the cut end, but it often occurs over a relatively short length, which wouldn't necessarily show on the end grain of an 8' or 10' log. I frequently see poplar logs going down the highways around here, and the ones with significant blue/purple color are clearly visible even at 60 MPH.
Incidentally, I don't think the color comes from spalting in the usual sense (fungal attack), but rather from a chemical reaction of some kind.
-Steve
Ok, enough already! All this talk about how beautiful Poplar can be. You know it and I know it, but lets be quiet before the dealers find out and start raising the prices like they did on with Red Oak.
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