A Woodworking and craft Workshop. (Choosing your timber)

The timber used for your woodworking or craft project will many times be exposed to all types of weather conditions and must be able to withstand them.

If you live in a termite-prone area Many of your woodworking and craft projects must also resist attack from termites.

If you use unseasoned timber it will inevitably shrink, warp or bow. Most hardwood used in your woodworking and craft projects
is only semi-seasoned when purchased, as fully seasoned hardwood is very difficult to work? Most treated timber used in your woodworking and craft projects however, is
seasoned.

When buying timber for your woodcraft projects watch for faults such as bowing or twisting.

Lightly bowed or twisted timber used in your woodworking may be flattened or pulled straight while it is fixed in position, but badly effective timber may be unusable.

Hardwoods used in your woodworking and craft projects generally have a high durability and can be used in and out of the ground. However, it is recommended that any timber in direct contact with the ground be treated with a suitable preservative.

Any timber used in the ground will require a higher level of protection than that being used above the ground.

Durability is rated as class 1, 2, 3 or 4 with class 1 having the highest durability and resistance to attack. Any timber used in your woodworking and craft projects and placed in the ground must have a durability class 1. Class 4 timber should not be used for weather-exposed structural members such as posts, bearers joists or decking unless it has been pressure treated.

The most commonly timber used in your woodworking and craft projects are pressure treated softwoods.Preservative-treated softwoods are readily available from most timber merchants and are treated with one of three preservatives:
CCA, copper chromium arsenic.
ACQ: alkaline copper quart,
and LOSP: light organic solvent preservative.

Treated softwoods for your woodworking and craft projects are available in a range of hazard or’H’ levels
from H 1 through to H 6 ,with H 6 having the highest level of treatment.Some treated timber used in woodworking and craft projects may be water repellent, but it will still weather, turning silvery grey over time.

Always take precautions when using treated timber:

Wear gloves when handling treated timber.

Use a dust mask and goggles when machining, sawing or sanding.

Ensure there is good ventilation in your woodworking and craft work area.

Wash your hands and face before drinking or eating. Wash work clothes separately.

Never use treated timber for heating or cooking, especially on barbecues.

Any woodworking and craft project is only as good as its fasteners, so make sure you always use good quality fittings and fasteners that will stand the test of time without corroding.

Most fasteners and fittings used in your woodworking and craft projects are made from mild steel with a protective coating and, in most situations, hot dipped galvanizing is the preferred coating.

Stainless steel fasteners may be used if your your woodworking and craft projects are in highly corrosive condition such as decks built around salt water pools or those built in areas subject to sea spray.
Other metals such brass and copper may be appropriate in some conditions.

Check with your hardware supplier.

That’s it for now, however I thought I would share an article with you that I enjoyed reading.

“One of the ideals of perfection in mankind is that of perfect balance.

A man whose brain is many-sided and can grasp the details and see the inner laws of arts and sciences, and yet have creative faculties as well as analytic;
whose body is healthy and beautiful and vigorous, a worthy temple for that brain;
whose personality is pleasant and kind, and whose whole being is animated by a spirit of lofty enterprise;
such a man has the gifts of life in just balance, he approaches completeness.

Such a man was Leonardo DA Vinci,
the greatest light of the Italian Renaissance, whose many-sided genius is unique in the history of the world.”

And again, Until next, time, enjoy your woodworking and craft time.