What is Quarter Sawn Wood, and what does it mean?
There are many ways to cut lumber from a log.There are three types ofsawing: plainsaw, riftsaw and quartersaw.There are advantages and disadvantages to each method.Quartersawn wood is created by cutting a log into quarters, then creating a series of parallel cuts, with the middle cut being parallel to the tree's rings.
The grain patterns of wooden boards can affect how they expand and contract.The end product of quartersawn wood is stable and it is preferred by many woodworkers and furniture-makers.Some people prefer the medullary rays and wavy grain patterns that are revealed through the other sawing methods.The most common quartersawn wood is oak, although other woods can also be cut in this way.
Musical instrument parts such as string instrument necks and fret boards are made from quartersawn wood.It is best for a wooden part of a musical instrument, such as the neck of guitar, bass or violin, to remain stable throughout the instrument's life.The instrument's sound will remain as invariable as possible if quartersawn wood is used.
The disadvantage of quartersawing wood is that it leaves some scrap.Plainsawn wood is more expensive than quartersawn due to the fact that plainsawing produces little to no scrap.The yield of quartersawing is greater than that of riftsawn wood, so it's cheaper.
Plainsawing is the most straightforward way to cut rectangular-profiled boards.Plainsawn lumber is created by cutting a log with a series of parallel cuts.Plainsawn lumber has some disadvantages, but this system provides excellent yield.Plainsawn boards can have different grain patterns depending on where they were cut out of the log.Plainsawn wood has interesting grain patterns that are not created by other types of cutting.
The lumber is more stable than plainsawn.The grain pattern on each board is the same as the log's rings.Furniture made of riftsawn wood has a uniform appearance due to the similarity of grain patterns in the boards.Lots of wedge-shaped scraps are left by the poor yield provided by rift-sawing.The low yield of riftsawn wood makes it more expensive than other types of wood.
The beautiful grain of most woods will be highlighted by what type of sawing.What do you think about the use ofreclaimed wood in furniture making?I've seen it grow fast.
I prefer the appearance of quartersawn lumber, even in walnut, where the medullary rays are not as obvious as the oak's.You are correct that we are in the minority.
There are two ways to cut wood.The cuts run straight through the board.The log is quartered before being cut.There are different ways to cut wood.The two diagrams on the right are radial cuts.The method uses tangential cuts.There are two sawn in the same category.
The rift and quarter sawn methods have overlap in the grain orientation for some boards.Some boards have 90 degree grain referenced from the face plane.The method seems to produce more of the 90 degree grain, which is what I call quarter sawn wood.Most people are talking about the final look that they want, not the method that was used.I prefer 90 degree grain when I want "quarter sawn" wood.30 -60 degree grain is what I am looking for when I want "rift sawn" wood.rick
Maybe the method is being defined and not the final look of the boards.Most people are talking about the final look that they want, not the method that was used.I prefer 90 degree grain when I want "quarter sawn" wood.30 -60 degree grain is what I am looking for when I want "rift sawn" wood.rick
Most people are talking about the final look that they want, not the method that was used.I prefer 90 degree grain when I want "quarter sawn" wood.30 -60 degree grain is what I am looking for when I want "rift sawn" wood.rick
I think you hit the nail on the head.If the diagram is an accurate representation of rift sawing, the growth rings will pass through the face of the wood at an angle of 90 degrees.Official definitions of rift sawn wood as having the growth rings passing through the fact at 30 - 60 degrees must be talking about some other way of cutting wood than what's described in the diagram here.
Official definitions of rift sawn wood as having the growth rings passing through the fact at 30 - 60 degrees must be talking about some other way of cutting wood than what's described in the diagram here.
Are you suggesting that "Quarter Sawn" lumber produces both rift sawn and qs board?Do you mean that the terms rift and quarter sawn boards are mistaken?Considering that the perfectly vertical annual ring pattern [70-90 degrees] is widely interpreted as quarter sawn and a more angleed annual rings [45- 70 degrees]) is commonly known as rift sawns, it's easy to see why.
The fact that rift sawn timber produces a lower yield is of no consequence as it makes the most of the unique sheen that is available.The final result has beauty in it.Is it a good idea to not eat prawns because they yield so little?
Some people prefer the appearance of quartersawn wood, but I think they're in the minority.The bodies of violins and cellos are ideal for soundboards because of the vertical-grained wood.
They are musical instrument makers.The bodies of violins and cellos are ideal for soundboards because of the vertical-grained wood.
They are musical instrument makers.The bodies of violins and cellos are ideal for soundboards because of the vertical-grained wood.
I have made dulcimers with randomly sawn wood and achieved great results, but they aren't really a precision sound generator.
I have made dulcimers with randomly sawn wood and achieved great results, but they aren't really a precision sound generator.
Both sound quality and instrument stability demand vertical grain.
Both sound quality and instrument stability demand vertical grain.
The definition of plainsawn wood is undisputed.The definitions for quartersawn and riftsawn seem to be in dispute.Someone came up with a better way to cut wood in the 1930s and it was called quartersawn.After that, someone came up with another method called riftsawn.It produced a stronger plank of wood, even though it wasted more material.Since quartersawn had developed a meaning of superiority in the woodworking world, I think some people confused it with riftsawn.Regardless of the names, cutting wood in the manner labeled "riftsawn" above produced the strongest result even though it wasted the most material.
The "cathedrals" in plainsawn wood are very beautiful, despite the fact that it is highly desirable by furniture makers.I think it's worth it for craftspeople to learn how to deal with wood movement.Some people prefer the appearance of quartersawn wood, but I think they are in the minority.