I have never worked with Poplar and haven't a notion about it's characteristics.
Hoping it is a tough and durable wood like hickory or ash.
Anywhere close?
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Thread: about Poplar
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06-07-2012, 11:49 PM #1
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about Poplar
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06-07-2012, 11:56 PM #2
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No it is between pine and soft maple.
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06-07-2012, 11:56 PM #3
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Not at all. Not as soft as Pine (Janka 420) but, not as hard as Doug Fir (Janka 660). Poplar is Janka 540. Hickory is 1820 and Ash is 1320. For reference, white oak is 1360. Dad used it for workbench legs and in 2" thick, 4" wide pieces it is well suited for that. Easy to rough work but, has the same issues other soft woods do when it comes to dovetails or finger joints.
Last edited by glenn bradley; 06-08-2012 at 12:00 AM.
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06-08-2012, 12:06 AM #4
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Frankd I have used it to build benches for a table and found it to be quite easy to work itis agreat choice if you are going to stain or dye and are looking for a lower cost hardwood....IMHO. I posted picture a few years back, I'll try and find them
"There’s a lot of work being done today that doesn’t have any soul in it. The technique may be the utmost perfection, yet it is lifeless. It doesn’t have a soul. I hope my furniture has a soul to it." - Sam Maloof
The Pessimist complains about the wind; The Optimist expects it to change;The Realist adjusts the sails.~ William Arthur Ward
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06-08-2012, 12:10 AM #5
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I guess a better quest Frank is what are you planning on using it for ?
"There’s a lot of work being done today that doesn’t have any soul in it. The technique may be the utmost perfection, yet it is lifeless. It doesn’t have a soul. I hope my furniture has a soul to it." - Sam Maloof
The Pessimist complains about the wind; The Optimist expects it to change;The Realist adjusts the sails.~ William Arthur Ward
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06-08-2012, 04:17 AM #6
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I used Poplar for my work bench and my lathe bench. It works very nicely. I did not use it for the tops because it is fairly soft (see Glenn's post). However, it is great for bench legs and stringers.
I hope this helps.
Enjoy,
JimBFirst of all you have to be smarter than the machine.
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06-08-2012, 08:55 AM #7
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I agree with what everyone has said, I think it is also used for the inside of drawers a lot.
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
William Arthur Ward
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06-08-2012, 11:55 AM #8
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takes paint nicely.
Human Test Dummy
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06-08-2012, 01:06 PM #9
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Hiking staffs. But, after the very helpful replies I'll go for something else. Thanks, y'all.
Originally Posted by Don Baer
"Folks is funny critters."
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~Voltaire
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06-08-2012, 01:25 PM #10
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Are you looking to carve the staffs, draw knife or is your lathe extra long?
We have a tree in Michigan called blue beech that is also know as "ironwood" to some. I made a few staffs/ poles for trapping out of the stuff. It is very hard and has a muscled look to the outside. Very white wood. It will check some when drying. It rarely grow over 6" diameter and is easy to find in 1" to 2".I'm a certifiable tree hugger. (it's a poor mans way of determining DBH before cutting the tree down)
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