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WOODWORKING

Chapter 8

FIGURE AND GRAIN

Introduction:
At some point in your woodworking career you will need to identify lumber. How this is done is similar
to the method by which you can be identified: your finger print, skin pigmentation, and identifying scars or
marks. You are unique and special, so much so that not even your finger print is the same as any other
human being. Wood is unique as well (though not as special as you), and also has unique characteristics by
which it can be identified. Like you, it has a uniquely patterned “finger print,” a certain color pigmentation,
and identifying scars and marks. These identifiers are known as grain and figure.

Understanding Grain:
Grain is the term used to describe the pattern of lines found in lumber formed from the cells that make
up wood. Simply put, grain is the appearance of the wood resulting from growth ring structure, much like a
human finger print. These lines can be found in the three different surfaces on which grain appears: the End
Grain, the Face Grain, and the Edge Grain

 End Grain: End grain is at the end of the

board, the part through which the cross cut is

made. It looks and acts differently than the

other two grain surfaces. As we saw in the

last chapter, inside the tree the wood is made

of long cells running longitudinally up the

tree, which we compared to a bundle of

straws. When a cross cut is made, then, the

end of the board is nothing more than a

series of small open pores. This means that

whatever is put on the end grain is absorbed

very quickly and pulled deeply into the

wood, much like straws or a sponge sucking

up water.

 Face Grain: The widest side of the board

where we see the grain pattern and

determine the figure of the wood is called

the lumber face. The grain here runs from

end –to-end and is called the face grain.

Joints made by adjoining face grains are for

the purpose of creating thicker wood, such as beams, or for creative decorative layers for as bowls

and goblets.

 Edge Grain: The longitudinal edge of the board contains the edge grain. It, too, runs from end to

end. Joints along the edge grain are for creating planks (wider boards such as table tops, drawer

fronts, etc.)

Understanding Figure:
In woodworking, when we speak of what wood looks like (i.e. color variations, grain pattern, rays,
knots, etc.), we use the term figure. Figured wood is not plain. The surface appearance has illusory
movement, distinct patterns, and unique character. Yes, the grain has much to do with figure, but the
natural properties of the wood and how it is cut also contribute. Below is a list of figure types.

Unit II: Understanding Wood