White birch and yellow birch - Which to use?

[Dan C]

I'm going to carve a mirror frame out of birch and was wondering whether to buy white birch or yellow birch. Are they about the same in terms of their carving characteristics? Is there any reason to go with either the one or the other? Would appreciate any advice on this!

Dan C.

[squbrigg]

I've used birch for lots of small projects, and I don't know of any real difference between the White and Yellow. About the same hardness, both glue up well, both stain and finish well, both carve okay. You might check with a wood species guide for differences. I know there are some online, but don't recall address's off hand. Someone else may have a link.

Bob

[Dan C]

Thanks Bob! Your voice of experience is what I was looking for. Better than any book. I'll just go with whatever is available when I call in the order.Dan C.

[squbrigg]

Dan, best if you could look at the wood before you buy it. I have some Birch drying and it has beautiful variations of sap wood and heart wood. But I selected the wood for that. If you want something all one colour or shade, you might want all heart wood or all sap wood. More stable too.

Bob

[wade clark]

Dan C.,

WOOD IDENTIFICATION & USE by Terry Potter lists both as Canadian and Eastern U.S. The book says,

YELLOW:
"sapwood is whitish, pale yellow or light reddish brown...can vary...fine, even texture, close grained, mostly strait but wavy and curly grain can occur resulting in a pleasing figure" Uses: turnery, furniture, joinery, decorative veneers, crates, cooperage, marquetry,...violin bows, rustic furniture. High bending strength, crushing strength. Both nailing and screwing properties are somewhat poor, and pre-boring is required.
Glueing needs care and must be carried out in controlled conditions. Works fairly easy with machine and hand tools. Takes stain and polish well.

WHITE:
Also called Paper Birch. "The heartwood is creamy-white, often with a brown central core. Strait grained with afine even texture, can have an attractive natural finish...heavy wood...quite good bending...preboring recommended for nails and screws...Glues well if care is taken...polishes well, takes dyes and stains pretty well. Used widely for turnery such as spools, dowels, toys...boxes, crates, fine furniture, office furniture, rustic furniture, ice-cream spoons, tongue depressors, veneers, baskets, plywood, paper.

I guess either would be great, just hand pick your wood for its' beauty!
Good luck! Have fun!

Wade

[Dan C]

Thanks Wade! Second time you came up with a good answer from Terry Potter's book. Going to have to get myself a copy. Sounds like either white or yellow birch will work just fine.

Dan C.