Walked into the lumber yard knowing nothing my first time. Bought the wrong stuff, paid too much, ended up with warped boards. Classic beginner mistakes.
Hardwood vs Softwood
Softwood: pine, cedar, fir. Grows fast, sells cheap, dings easily. Fine for painted projects, construction, shop furniture. Stained softwood usually looks like… stained softwood.
Hardwood: oak, maple, walnut, cherry. Costs more, lasts forever, takes finishes beautifully. Worth it for anything you want to keep.
Common Species Quick Guide
Poplar – the utility player. Cheap hardwood, paints great, machines easy. Ugly grain though, never stain it.
Oak – classic for a reason. Red oak is everywhere. White oak has tighter grain, better for outdoor stuff.
Walnut – gorgeous brown with character. Not cheap. Darkens over time which some people hate, I love.
Cherry – mellows from pink to deep reddish-brown with sun exposure. Beautiful but pricy.
Maple – hard as nails, great for workbenches and cutting boards. Pretty boring grain unless you find figured stuff.
Buying Smart
Skip big box lumber for anything nice. Find a real lumber yard. Better selection, drier stock, actually knowledgeable people.
Learn board feet. That’s how real lumber is sold. (Width in inches × length in feet × thickness in quarters, divided by 12. Or just let them calculate it.)
Moisture Content
8-10% for indoor furniture. Kiln-dried is standard. Air-dried works for outdoor projects. Don’t build with wet wood – it’ll warp, crack, and make you sad.
Acclimate wood in your shop a week before using it. Especially in dry winters or humid summers.
