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Voting on our T18S Competition closes at midnight tonight - Have you voted yet? 

Voting on our T18S Competition closes at midnight tonight - Have you voted yet? 


Hardwood

Ash, European

Latin name: Fraxinus excelsior
Origin: Europe
Colour: Cream, grey and brown
Usage: Tool handles, vehicle bodywork, flooring, internal joinery
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 650 to 700 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Good general purpose joinery timber
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Beech, Steamed

Latin name: Fagus sylvatica
Origin: Central Europe
Colour: Pale to pinkish brown
Usage: Furniture, joinery, turnery, flooring
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 700 to 750 kg/m3
Movement in use: Large movement
Thickness available: 26mm, 32mm, 38mm, 52mm, 65mm, 80mm & 100mm
Summary: Ideally used in small sizes for a variety of projects
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Beech, Unsteamed

Latin name: Fagus sylvatica
Origin: Northern Europe
Colour: Pale brown and white
Usage: Furniture, joinery, turnery, flooring
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 700 to 750 kg/m3
Movement in use: Large movement
Thickness available: 26mm, 32mm, 38mm, 52mm, 65mm, 80mm & 100mm
Summary: Ideally used in small sizes for a variety of projects
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Birch, European

Latin name: Betula spp.
Origin: Europe, Scandinavia and Russia
Colour: Creamy white to biscuit
Usage: High class joinery, furniture drawer sides, legs and framing, decorative veneers for panelling and marquetry
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 600 to 700 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Summary: Good steam bending properties but not tolerant to pin knots. Works well with hand and power tools. Glues well and can be stained and polished to a good finish
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Elm, English

Latin name: Ulmus procera
Origin: British Isles
Colour: light medium greyish brown
Usage: Boatbuilding, furniture, general woodworking
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 550 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Attractive timber requiring careful specification and selection
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Iroko

Latin name: Chlorophora excelsa
Origin: West and East Africa
Colour: Yellow brown to dark brown (highly variable)
Usage: Boat-building, domestic flooring and furniture
Durability: Very durable
Density: 655kg/m3
Summary: It is one of the woods sometimes referred to as African Teak. Dense interlocked graining and high oil content make it a very durable wood and very suitable for external use. Iroko does not require regular treatment with oil or varnish when used outdoors. The wood is currently listed as ´near threatened´ on the IUCN Red List
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT tools

Mahogany, Brazilian

Latin name: Swietenia macrophylla
Origin: South America
Colour: Reddish brown
Usage: Internal and external joinery, pattern making, furniture
Durability: Durable
Density: 560 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 0.75", 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: A high class timber. It is fairly easy to work, is fairly strong, has medium weight, is durable and finishes well.
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Maple, Rock

Latin name: Acer saccharum, Acer nigrum
Origin: North America
Colour: Cream to light brown
Usage: Shopfitting, flooring, furniture, kitchens
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 630 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Strong timber, resistant to wear
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Meranti, Dark Red

Latin name: Shorea spp
Origin: Malaysia
Colour: Pink/reddish brown
Usage: General joinery
Durability: Moderately durable
Density: 630 to 670 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Good all round timber
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Oak, American White

Latin name: Quercus alba
Origin: Eastern USa and South Eastern Canada
Colour: Pale yellow-brown to biscuit with pinkish tint
Usage: Interior applications. Furniture and cabinet making. Parquet flooring
Durability: Heartwood is durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment
Density: 760 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 1" to 3"
Summary: Takes nails and and screws well, although pre-boring is advised
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools

Oak, European

Latin name: Quercus robur
Origin: UK & Europe
Colour: Light to dark brown
Usage: Garden furniture, boat building, gateposts, furniture, floors and construction work
Durability: Heartwood very durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment
Density: 670 kgm/3 to 720 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 26mm, 34mm, 41mm, 54mm, 65mm, 80mm, 100mm and 120mm
Summary: Advantages: Very strong, hard, tough and durable. Oak finishes well, works well and has very little shrinkage. Disadvantages: It is very heavy, expensive and splits easily. It contains tannic acid, which corrodes steel and iron fitting. The acid´s effect on the fittings can cause permanent blue stains on the wood surface
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools

Oak, Red

Latin name: Quercus rubra
Origin: North America
Colour: Pale brown with a pinkish tinge
Usage: Internal joinery, coffin manufacture
Durability: Moderately durable
Density: 690 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 0.75", 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Excellent internal joinery, a kinder wood to work with than white oak
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Padauk

Latin name: Pterocarpus soyauxii
Origin: Central and West Africa
Colour: Vivid red toning to dark purple/brown with red streaks
Usage: High class joinery, furniture, cabinet making, flooring
Durability: Very durable
Density: 640 to 800 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 27mm & 52mm
Summary: A high class distinctive cabinet and flooring timber
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Ramin

Latin name: Gonystylus macrophyllum
Origin: South East Asia
Colour: Pale creamy brown
Usage: Furniture, interior joinery, turnery, toys, carving, flooring, veneers
Durability: Durable
Density: 670 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.25" and 1.5"
Summary: Moderately fine, even texture, usually straight grained
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Sapele

Latin name: Entandrophragma cylindricum
Origin: West and East Africa
Colour: Reddish brown
Usage: General joinery
Durability: Durable
Density: 640 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 26mm, 32mm, 38mm, 52mm, 63mm, 76mm & 100mm
Summary: Good all purpose red hardwood
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Sycamore

Latin name: Acer pseudoplatanus
Origin: Europe
Colour: Creamy white
Usage: Cabinet making, wood-ware
Durability: non-durable
Density: 630 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5" & 3"
Summary: Good quality for wood-ware, especially kitchen items
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT tools

Teak

Latin name: Tectona grandis
Origin: Southern Europe
Colour: Golden brown
Usage: Boat building, exterior joinery
Durability: Durable
Density: 660 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Natural oils make teak the choice for quality exterior joinery and furniture
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Walnut, European

Latin name: Juglans regia
Origin: Europe, Asia Minor, South west Asia
Colour: Grey brown with darker streaks
Usage: Furniture, interior joinery, turnery, carving, veneer
Durability: Moderately durable
Density: 670 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Summary: Works easily and well with both hand and machine tools and finishes cleanly, polishes to high finish, easy to carve
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT cutting tools


Softwood

Cedar of Lebanon

Latin name: Cedrus libani
Origin: Middle East
Colour: Creamy beige
Usage: Fine cabinet work for chest bottoms, cabinet linings and drawer sides
Durability: Durable. Heartwood is resistant to preservative tretamnet and teh sapwood moderately resistant
Density: 560 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 3/4" to 5"
Summary: Suitable for joinery, doors and interior decoration. Large knots and ingrown bark may cause difficulty when machining. Nails and screws well and the wood stains and varnishes to a good finish
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT tools

Cedar, Western Red

Latin name: Thuja plicata
Origin: North America, Canada
Colour: Medium red brown
Usage: Cladding, conservatories, windows
Durability: Durable
Density: 390 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 2", 4" & 6"
Summary: The finest naturally durable softwood, it's light weight makes it ideal for cladding
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Fir, Douglas

Latin name: Pseudotsuga menziesii
Origin: North America, Canada
Colour: Light medium reddish brown
Usage: Doors, windows, boatbuilding
Durability: Moderately durable
Density: 530 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.5", 2", 3" & 4"
Summary: Used mainly in vertical grain door stock
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Hemlock, Western

Latin name: Tsuga heteruphylla
Origin: North America, Canada
Colour: Light, yellowy brown
Usage: General joinery
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 700 to 750 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Excellent stable timber for general joinery
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Pine, Parana

Latin name: Araucaria angustifolia
Origin: South America
Colour: Straw, pale brown with brown and red
Usage: General construction and joinery, staircase strings
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 480 to 640 kg/m3
Summary: Good to work with but very susceptible to atmospheric pressure, not suitable for exterior use
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Pine, Southern Yellow

Latin name: Pinus palustris
Origin: North America
Colour: Light yellow/orange
Usage: General joinery, especially staircase work
Durability: Moderately durable
Density: 660 kg/m3
Movement in use: Small movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.25", 1.5" & 2"
Summary: Valued for it's strength, suitable for construction and staircase manufacture
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Pine/Redwood (Scots Pine/Fir)

Latin name: Pinus sylvestris
Origin: Europe, UK, Scandanavia and Russia
Colour: Pale reddish brown
Usage: Best grades are used for furniture, joinery and turnery. Building construction
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 510 mg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 19mm, 25mm, 32mm, 38mm, 50mm, 63mm, 75mm & 100mm
Summary: Works easily with hand tools and and machine tools. Can be resinous
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT tools, however for the best finish HSS cutting tools should be used

Poplar, American Yellow

Latin name: Liriodendron tulipfera
Origin: North America
Colour: creamy white to greyish brown
Usage: Low grade furniture, boxes, crates, backs of drawers, toys, carving
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 300 to 530 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" & 4"
Summary: Some variation in colour but obliging to work, popular for interior work Cost effective, good all round timber, takes paint and stain well
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools

Whitewood/Spruce (European)

Latin name: Picea abies, Abies alba
Origin: Europe
Colour: Light yellowy brown
Usage: Building, framing, studwork
Durability: Non-durable
Density: 510 kg/m3
Movement in use: Medium movement
Thickness available: 38mm, 47mm & 75mm
Summary: Available in a good range of lengths
Routing suitability: Can be routed with both HSS and TCT cutting tools


Wood-Based Board

Blockboard, 3-Ply

Colour: Natural
Usage: Furniture applications, particularly shelving and worktops
Durability: Strong
Density: 450 to 500 kg/m3
Thickness available: 13mm, 16mm, 18mm, 19mm, 22mm, 25mm, up to 42 mm
Summary/Properties: Made up of a core of softwood strips. These strips may be up to about 25mm wide. Strips placed edge to edge and sandwiched between veneers of hardwood. The sandwich is then glued under high pressure. Screws and nails may be used to attach blockboard but contact must be made with the strips of softwood and not the gaps in between. Edges are unattractive and cannot be cleaned up well
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT cutting tools

Cement Bonded Particle Board

Usage: Cladding, fire performance
Material type: Constructed from wood and cement
Thickness available: 8mm to 40mm
Summary: High performance panel with fire resistance and with excellent sound attenuation. It is durable, even when unprotected and is able to withstand influences of weather, moisture, insects etc,
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT tools, but will lead to higher wear to cutting edge.
Sawing suitability: Use medium finish triple chip tooth TCT saw blade. Suitable for PCD/FSD saw blades.

Chipboard, Graded Density

Colour: Natural
Usage: Flooring, kitchen tops (which are laminated with melamine) and fire doors
Density: 650 to 750 kg/m3
Thickness available: 12mm, 18mm, 22mm
Summary/properties: Gluing together wood particles with an adhesive, under heat and pressure makes chipboard. This creates a rigid board with a relatively smooth surface. Chipboard is available in a number of densities: -normal, medium and high-density. All grades of chipboard except the high-density variety tend to soak up water. Once it is water logged, chipboard tends to swell and breakdown
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)

Colour: Beige
Usage: Furniture, model making, jig making
Density: 600 to 800 kg/m3
Thickness available: 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 18mm, 22mm, 25mm, 30mm
Summary/properties: Higher density than chipboard, therefore stronger. No grain, strong though edges need treating before painting. Moisture resistant (MR) is typically green and fire retardant (FR) is typically red or pink
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools. Suitable for PCD/FSD saw blades.

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) Veneered

Colour: Beige core, various veneers
Usage: Furniture, model making, jig making
Density: 600 to 800 kg/m3
Thickness available: 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 18mm, 19mm, 22mm, 25mm, 30mm
Summary/properties: Higher density than chipboard, therefore stronger. No grain, strong though edges need treating before painting. Moisture resistant (MR) is typically green and fire retardant (FR) is typically red or pink
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools

Multi-ply

Colour: Natural
Usage: Veneered furniture, aircraft and marine construction
Durability: Strong
Density: 300 to 400 kg/m3
Thickness available: 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, 25mm
Summary/Properties: A laminated material made from thin sheets of wood known as construction veneers, plies or laminates which are bonded in layers to form a strong stable board. Has a good resistance to cracking, shrinkage, twisting/warping, and its general high degree of strength
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT cutting tools

Oriented Strand Board (OSB), Sterling Board

Colour: Light straw to medium brown
Usage: Construction eg flooring, flat roof decking and wall sheathing.
Density: 600 to 680 kg/m3
Thickness available: 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, 11mm, 15mm, 18mm, 22mm, 25mm, 38mm
Summary/properties: A wood-based panel manufactured from softwood strands compressed and bonded together with exterior grade, water resistant resins. It is readily identified by the random pattern of flattened, softwood strands which make up the surface
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools

Plywood, Interior

Colour: Creamy beige
Usage: Flooring, furniture
Durability: Very strong
Density: 500 to 650 kg/m3
Thickness available: 2.5mm, 4mm, 6mm
Summary/properties: Layers of wood bonded together with grains at right angles to each other. Most plywood is made from an odd number of layers, called plies (typically 3, 5 or 7), with an equal number of plies on each side of the centre ply
Routing suitability: Should be routed using TCT cutting tools

Standard Hardboard

Colour: Dark brown
Usage: Construction and furniture
Density: 600 to 1450 kg/m
Thickness available: 3mm, 4mm, 6mm
Summary/properties: Made out of exploded wood fibres that have been highly compressed. Perforated hardboard, also called pegboard, is tempered hardboard that has rows of 1" inch holes in it, into which hooks can be placed for hanging tools
Routing suitability: Should be routed using HSS and TCT cutting tools


Plastics

Phenolic Resin e.g Bakelite,Tufnol

Usage: Jig making, Circuit boards
Material type: Thermoset resin
Thickness available: 0.4mm to 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm etc, up to 100mm
Summary: Phenolic laminates are made by impregnating one or more layers of a base material such as paper, fibreglass or cotton with phenolic resin and laminating the resin-saturated base material under heat and pressure. Insulating and heat resistant properties. Tufnol¨ is made from phenolic resin and cotton or linen fabric. Bakelite is made from phenolic resin and wood flour
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT tools. Cutters can be ground specifically
Sawing suitability: Use medium finish triple chip tooth TCT saw blade. Suitable for PCD/FSD saw blades.

Polycarbonate (PC) e.g Lexan

Usage: Signs, displays, flat or curved glazing, sound walls, safety guards
Material type: Thermoplastic polymer
Thickness available: 0.75mm to 12mm
Summary Easily worked and moulded, resistance to high temperature and impact
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT tools. Solid carbide spiral cutters will give the best finish
Sawing suitability: Use fine finish triple chip tooth TCT saw blade

Polyethylene, High Density (HDPE)

Usage: High resistant to solvents and used for containers, piping
Material type: Thermoplastic polymer
Thickness available: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm 4mm, 5mm etc up to 100mm
Summary: HDPE Sheet is an engineering plastic well suited to the food industry where low friction wear and buffer strips on food production lines are important. Has excellent abrasion resistance
Routing suitability: Can be routed with HSS tools
Sawing suitability: Use triple chip tooth TCT saw blade

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) e.g Acrylic

Usage: Aquariums, lights, windows, furniture, guitars
Material type: Thermoplastic polymer
Thickness available: 2mm, 3mm, 1/8-inch, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch,8mm, 9mm, 3/8-inch, 10mm, 12mm, 1/2-inch up to 4-inch
Summary: Alternative to glass, preferred because of it's moderate properties, easy handling, processing and low cost. Available as cast or extruded sheet
Routing suitability: Can be routed with HSS and TCT tools, however it is advisable to use specific cutters polished for acrylic. Solid carbide spiral cutters will give the best finish
Sawing suitability Use fine finish triple chip tooth TCT saw blade

Polypropylene (PP)

Usage: Packaging, plastic parts,
Material type: Thermoplastic polymer
Thickness available: 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4,mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm and 50mm
Summary: Can withstand high temperatures and resistant to fatigue. Has a significant resistant to chemical and acid attack. Light weight and has high impact resistance
Routing suitability: Can be routed with HSS tools
Sawing suitability: Use coarse finish alternate top bevel tooth TCT saw blade

Solid Surface Acrylic Based Composite Material

Usage: Worktops, vanity tops, shower walls, sinks, basins, inlays
Material type: Corian is acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate based
Thickness available: 6mm, 12mm and 19mm
Summary: A composite product used in a variety of residential and commercial applications. Offers design versatility, functionality and durability. The solid surface is placed on top of a MDF or chipboard core. Other brands include Avonite, Apollo Quicktops, Apollo Magna, Apollo Slab, Maia, Earthstone, Minerva, Hanex, Hi-Macs and Staron
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT tools. Specialised solid surface cutter available
Sawing suitability Use medium to fine alternate bevel tooth TCT saw blade

Trespa (Meteon)

Usage: Cladding, exterior panelling
Material type: Thermoset resin reinforced with wood fibre
Thickness available: 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 13mm
Summary: Weather resistant, tough, High pull-out strength for fixings or fasteners. Not affected by weathering, mould or rot. Manufactured under high pressure and temperature
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT tools, but will have high wear to cutting edge
Sawing suitability: Use fine finish triple chip tooth TCT saw blade


Composites

Alucobond Composite Panel

Usage: Construction
Material type: Composite of two aluminium covers on LDPE plastic core
Thickness available: 3mm, 4mm and 6mm
Summary: High formability, stability and excellent weather resistance. Low weight. Large number of colours and large panel sizes available.
Routing suitability: Can be routed with TCT tools. Special cutters for routing fold lines also available.
Sawing suitability: Use fine finish triple chip tooth TCT saw blade.

Eco Worktop Gemstone (Wilsonart)

Usage: Worktops
Material type: Chipboard core and 85% recycled material including glass and shell.
Thickness available: 28mm
Summary: Gemstone worktop has 6mm solid material bonded to a 28mm high performance chipboard core. Made of 85% recycled material including glass and shell, the solid upper surface is extremely abrasive.
Routing suitability: Requires specialist Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) tipped cutter diamond tools to cut it. eg ref. PCD/GEM01X1/2. A conventional TCT cutter will not cut the top surface. As the material comprises pieces of glass, when cutting, there may be occasions where the glass breaks away from the board leaving a void on the top surface. Dust extraction must be used and PPE must be worn.
Sawing suitability: Requires specialist Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) sawblades that are used for a roughing cut. The finish cut requires a PCD router cutter.