Poplar?

[Salty]

Any what do you suppose they use for the layers of imported plywood?

And what is that stuff they call 'blonde wood'?

[phi1l]

Tom, the balsam poplar of northern Mich & Wis is a different species from that assumed in the context of wood working. Tulip poplar is the species that has excellent wood working characteristics. balsam poplar only good for pulp.

[tseavoy]

Thanks for the info Phi1. I wikied poplar and found that out (can't find my U of Wisconsin wood handbook at the moment). I guess properly tulip poplar should be called tulip wood, and it sounds like balsam poplar is a species of aspen. In the UP poplar is called "popple".

Tom

[cabinetman]

I have had very good luck staining poplar, but I used a dark mahog stain, mostly. This hid any grain issues. I'm about to use it to trim my wife's new bathroom. Once again, dark stain.

It is very stable wood, and it's a dream to work with. It's very easy on tools as well.

+1. If you have a good selection of stock, some interesting grain variations can be found. Poplar is a good wood to work with. When made into veneers it can also be used as a crossbanding under veneers.

A glaze or a stain overspray in dark finishes come out very well to equalize the color and grain.
.

[cgallery]

I've never worked w/ poplar, but I've read the green bands turn brown over time.

I've seen pictures of poplar projects that had a clear finish and the sun really turned them in a very nice cream/brown combination that ends up looking something completely unlike poplar.

Also on the comment by Tom about alder and some other inexpensive woods starting to get used in furniture: I purchased some alder a couple of years ago for cheap ($.50 BF) and it is very easy to stain it to look exactly like cherry. It doesn't darken so much with exposure to sunlight, though.

I mostly used it for shop projects because it was so inexpensive and it is incredibly stable.