The Woodworker & Woodturner – August 2019

TECHNICAL A-Z of timber terms & jargon

66 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking August 2019 http://www.getwoodworking.com

I

wonder if you know what the definition

of a cabinetmaker is. Do too many claim

to be one but really are they qualified to

do so? Our topical directory continues

through the Bs and just into the Cs with

some explanations to go with each entry.

BSI

The BSI Group, also known as the British

Standards Institution, is the national standards

body of the UK. It produces technical standards

on a wide range of products and services. It also

provides certification and standards and services

related to business. In a commercial environment,

accreditation to BSI standards should provide

customers and consumers with confidence to

buy. Currently linked into the European system,

although this may or may not change with the

fallout from Brexit.

Broadleaved

Most broadleaved trees are deciduous; they

drop their leaves, unlike those with needle-like

leaves who usually retain theirs throughout

This conifer has one needle attached to the stem. The

needle is flat and cannot be rolled between the fingers

A broadleaved evergreen tree from the Pacific

Northwest (Lithocarpus densiflorus)

Photograph courtesy of A.L. Jacobson

the growing season. There are exceptions,

however. Holly, a hardwood, retains its leaves,

and larch, a softwood, drops its needles.

Brown rot

Decay in timber due to fungal attack. This one

removes the cellulose compounds and leaves

a brown, soft mass.

WOODWORKER’S

ENCYCLOPAEDIAPART 6

In part 6 of this series, Peter Bishop

looks at butt joints, capping rails and

carborundum, to name but a few terms