Beginner Wood Options

I don't think there can be a finer wood than “pine” to learn with. In the UK, this would be known as European Redwood. This material is widely available and has been used for hundreds of years for windows, doors, floor boards, joist, stairs, and all kinds of furniture. Often referred to in recent history in the trade as “Deal” or “Red Deal”.

It's not a predominant home grown species here, we've relied almost exclusively over time on imports from Scandinavia, The Balkans and Russia.

It's such a winner because it works so easily by hand or machine and it doesn't break the bank. There is another wood option that people also call “pine” I know as “Whitewood”. Although cheaper, by contrast it’s horrible to work with. You'll find it at DIY shops or builders merchants with rounded edges for making stud work or for structural purposes. It's peppered with super hard knots and is best left well alone. Perhaps a better grade was available once upon a time, but what we have now is proper grim!

European Redwood can be picked up easily from DIY shops or builders merchants in PSE section (Planed Square Edge). The typical sizes start at 2” x 1” (finish size you actually buy is 1 3/4” X 3/4”) and increase in 1” width increments up to 9”. Other sections such as 2” X 2”, 3” X 3 etc can also be found which again, will all be 1/4” smaller due to the planing.

It can also be purchased is rough sawn sections too from timber merchants. Typically the material will be a maximum of 9” wide and range from 3/4” right up to 4” inches thick.

If you want to practice some joints or make some simple projects this staple of joinery and furniture making could well be worth a look. If you are from elsewhere in the world, feel free to add your suggestions for a good beginner wood in the comments section.