BASSWOOD

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Easy to work, being very soft and light. Perhaps one of the most suitable wood species for hand carving. Basswood also glues and finishes well, but has poor steam bending and nail holding characteristics.

WORKING PROPERTIES

Woodworkers using hand tools or machines will find that basswood cuts with very minimal resistance. However, it is a good idea to use sharp tools, since the wood causes some dulling. When it comes to nails, screws and glue, basswood is agreeable. The wood also gives you a smooth finish with medium luster. It’s an excellent wood to paint, particularly with latex paint. Staining can be more of a challenge, because the light coloured wood has a tendency to cause blotches. So, if you are planning to stain, experts recommend using a wood conditioner first..

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Basswood is the softest and lightest of our hardwoods. It has low strength and poor steam bending qualities. The wood also has low resistance to shock and decay. It dries rather quickly with some tendency to distort. However, once dried, it is dimensionally stable. Just keep in mind that the wood undergoes a fairly significant amount of shrinkage when drying. The actual colour of the sapwood is a creamy white. The heartwood is more of a light, reddish brown and sometimes has darker lines or streaks. Its texture is uniform and fine, while the grain tends to be straight and doesn’t have a distinct grain pattern

MAIN USES

Carvings, lumber, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), veneer, plywood, and wood pulp and fiber products.