Beech
Woodcraft Magazine|August - September 2023
Plain looks, but a solid performer
Robert J. Settich
Beech

Nothing to see here, folks. Most beech has a ho-hum appearance. Seeing even a bit of figure passes for excitement.

American beech, Fagus grandifolia, may not have the dramatic figure or exciting color to earn a starring role in your next high-end woodworking project, but it is a solid performer that deserves an audition in your shop. Flatsawn beech generally has a bland appearance with subdued figure. Quartersawn beech typically shows tiny ray flecks, though these may sometimes be more pronounced. Regardless of how it’s cut, beech’s tight structure eliminates the need for a grain filler to achieve a smooth finish.

Beech’s plain appearance isn’t necessarily a liability. When showing off your joinery skills, for example, you don’t want flawless hand-cut dovetails to get lost in dark wood or swirling figure. Much like using every fancy wood scrap in your shop to make a cutting board can leave the viewer confused—the eye doesn’t know where to look. Plainer wood plays a supporting role to make fancier woods look their best. Plus, beech is not used to being treated as a star, so it doesn’t ask for top dollar.

A wide range of roles

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August - September 2023-Ausgabe von Woodcraft Magazine.

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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August - September 2023-Ausgabe von Woodcraft Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.