Difference between revisions of "Woodworking terminology"

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'''Below are some common woodworking terms''' that you might find helpful.<br>
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{{Template:Contact Us}}<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em;  background:#3DA942; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>
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== Woodworking Terms ==
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This is not an exhaustive list.
  
'''Below are some common woodworking terms''' that you might find helpful. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and has purposely left out some terms so that the list is less daunting.
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It has purposely left out some terms so that it is less daunting.
 
<br>
 
<br>
<br>
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==B==
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===A===
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'''Air Cleaner (Air Polisher)''' - machine or system to filter fine dust from the air in a workshop.
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===B===
 
'''Blind''' - joinery with mating surfaces not protruding through the face or end grain of the pieces being joined.
 
'''Blind''' - joinery with mating surfaces not protruding through the face or end grain of the pieces being joined.
  
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'''Burl''' - a knotty growth from a tree with a convoluted, complex grain.
 
'''Burl''' - a knotty growth from a tree with a convoluted, complex grain.
  
==C==
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===C===
 
'''Caul''' - A strip or block of wood used to distribute or direct clamping force.
 
'''Caul''' - A strip or block of wood used to distribute or direct clamping force.
  
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'''Cup''' - transverse bending, convex or concave, usually predictable, considering grain orientation.
 
'''Cup''' - transverse bending, convex or concave, usually predictable, considering grain orientation.
  
==D==
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===D===
 
'''Dado''' - a slot made across the grain.
 
'''Dado''' - a slot made across the grain.
  
==F==
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===E===
'''Face''' - when a board has one side that is wider than the other, the wider side is referred to as the face (as opposed to the edge). May also refer to the face that is to be visible in the finished item.
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===F===
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'''Face''' - when a board has one side that is wider than the other, the wider side is referred to as the face (as opposed to the edge). Face might also refer to the surface that is to be visible in the finished item.
  
 
'''Fence''' - a flat and straight length of some material, usually wood, steel or aluminum, which provides a reference for tools to work against, or which prevents the work from sliding.
 
'''Fence''' - a flat and straight length of some material, usually wood, steel or aluminum, which provides a reference for tools to work against, or which prevents the work from sliding.
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'''Figure''' - naturally occurring decorative patterns in wood, caused by either growth increments or tissue orientation.
 
'''Figure''' - naturally occurring decorative patterns in wood, caused by either growth increments or tissue orientation.
  
==G ==
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'''Fixture''' - a device the holds the work in a fixed location (compare to jig).
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===G ===
 
'''Grain''' - the longitudinal fibers in wood.
 
'''Grain''' - the longitudinal fibers in wood.
  
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'''Groove''' - a slot or channel made with the grain, usually on the end-grain in preparation for a tongue and groove joint.
 
'''Groove''' - a slot or channel made with the grain, usually on the end-grain in preparation for a tongue and groove joint.
  
==H==
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===H===
'''Hardwood''' - wood from an angiosperm tree. Generally speaking, the wood from a deciduous tree. Despite the name, not necessarily very hard or dense wood (e.g. balsa is a hardwood), although generally harder than softwoods.
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'''Hardwood''' - wood from an angiosperm tree. Generally speaking, the wood from a deciduous tree. Despite the name, not necessarily very hard or dense wood (for example, balsa is a hardwood), although generally harder than softwoods.
  
==K ==
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===I ===
'''Kerf''' - the width of cut made by a saw.
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===J ===
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'''Jig''' - A device that both holds the work and guides a tool (compare to fixture).
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===K ===
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'''Kerf''' - the width of cut made by a saw blade.
  
 
'''Knot''' - A circular pattern in timber, caused by a dead branch that was not fully integrated into the tree before it was cut down. A loose knot is one that cannot be relied upon to remain in place in the piece. A tight knot, on the other hand, is fixed by growth or position in the wood structure so that it firmly retains its place in the surrounding wood.
 
'''Knot''' - A circular pattern in timber, caused by a dead branch that was not fully integrated into the tree before it was cut down. A loose knot is one that cannot be relied upon to remain in place in the piece. A tight knot, on the other hand, is fixed by growth or position in the wood structure so that it firmly retains its place in the surrounding wood.
  
==M==
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===L===
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===M===
 
'''Molding''' - a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration.
 
'''Molding''' - a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration.
  
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'''Miter''' - a joint made by fastening together pieces with the ends cut at an angle.
 
'''Miter''' - a joint made by fastening together pieces with the ends cut at an angle.
  
==Q==
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===N===
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===O===
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===P===
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===Q===
 
'''Quarter-sawn''' - a plank with growth rings perpendicular to the wider face.
 
'''Quarter-sawn''' - a plank with growth rings perpendicular to the wider face.
  
==R==
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===R===
 
'''Rabbet''' - A 'groove' cut parallel to, and at the edge of, a board.
 
'''Rabbet''' - A 'groove' cut parallel to, and at the edge of, a board.
  
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'''Rip''' - a cut made parallel to the grain.
 
'''Rip''' - a cut made parallel to the grain.
  
==S ==
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===S ===
 
'''S2S''' - lumber, usually furniture grade hardwood, with two sides planed.
 
'''S2S''' - lumber, usually furniture grade hardwood, with two sides planed.
  
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'''Seasoning''' - reducing the moisture content of wood before working to prevent cracking, splitting, and other damage due to drying.
 
'''Seasoning''' - reducing the moisture content of wood before working to prevent cracking, splitting, and other damage due to drying.
  
'''Softwood''' - wood from a gymnosperm tree like conifers. Despite the name, not necessarily very soft or light wood (e.g. Douglas-fir is a softwood).
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'''Softwood''' - wood from a gymnosperm tree like conifers. Despite the name, not necessarily very soft or light wood (for example, Douglas-fir is a softwood).
  
 
'''Spalting''' - a change in the texture, strength and color of wood caused by colonies of fungus growing within the dead wood. Where colonies of fungus meet, fine black lines - often considered a desirable feature, can be seen.
 
'''Spalting''' - a change in the texture, strength and color of wood caused by colonies of fungus growing within the dead wood. Where colonies of fungus meet, fine black lines - often considered a desirable feature, can be seen.
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'''Square''' - 1) a tool such as a steel square, try square, combination square; 2) a right angle; 3) an area of 100 sq. ft.
 
'''Square''' - 1) a tool such as a steel square, try square, combination square; 2) a right angle; 3) an area of 100 sq. ft.
  
==T ==
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===T ===
 
'''Tear out''' - broken or torn fibers resulting from damage as the blade of a tool exits the cut.
 
'''Tear out''' - broken or torn fibers resulting from damage as the blade of a tool exits the cut.
  
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'''Twist''' - longitudinal twisting of wood due to uneven seasoning or grain.
 
'''Twist''' - longitudinal twisting of wood due to uneven seasoning or grain.
  
==U==
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===U===
 
'''Undercutting''' - cutting away from an edge to increase the sense of relief or thinness.
 
'''Undercutting''' - cutting away from an edge to increase the sense of relief or thinness.
  
==V ==
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===V ===
 
'''Veneer''' - very thin slices of wood used for inlay or to cover surfaces.
 
'''Veneer''' - very thin slices of wood used for inlay or to cover surfaces.
  
==W==
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===W===
 
'''Warp''' - distorted lumber, such as a twist, cup or a bow.
 
'''Warp''' - distorted lumber, such as a twist, cup or a bow.
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=== X ===
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===Y===
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===Z===
 
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<br>
 
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==For Additional Help==
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==Related Pages==
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'''Links to related PPM Wiki pages:'''
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:[[Wood Shop|<span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#3DA942">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Wood Shop'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
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:[[Wood Shop|<span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#3DA942">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Wood Shop — SawStop'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
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== For Additional Help ==
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:Use the PPM Slack channel #wood-shop to discuss the area and tools, including our SawStop.
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:[[How To Slack#PPM Channel  Names and Descriptions|'''List of all PPM Slack channels''']]
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:Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the&nbsp;community.
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<!--Bandsaw Tablesaw Woodshop-->
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<!--Metalshop Tablesaw Woodshop-->
 

Latest revision as of 13:55, 21 November 2024

Below are some common woodworking terms that you might find helpful.

Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.

 


burst of white rays on orange background

Woodworking Terms

This is not an exhaustive list.

It has purposely left out some terms so that it is less daunting.

A

Air Cleaner (Air Polisher) - machine or system to filter fine dust from the air in a workshop.

B

Blind - joinery with mating surfaces not protruding through the face or end grain of the pieces being joined.

Board foot - a unit of volumetric measurement. 1 board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches.

Burl - a knotty growth from a tree with a convoluted, complex grain.

C

Caul - A strip or block of wood used to distribute or direct clamping force.

Climb cut - On a table saw or router, cutting against the normal feed direction at the end of the cut to prevent tearout.

Crook - longitudinal bending to one side, caused by uneven seasoning or grain.

Crotch - the section of a tree where a branch divides from the trunk, or the trunk divides in two; typically an area of convoluted grain.

Crossgrain - working perpendicular to the grain.

Crosscut - a cut made perpendicular to the grain.

Cup - transverse bending, convex or concave, usually predictable, considering grain orientation.

D

Dado - a slot made across the grain.

E

F

Face - when a board has one side that is wider than the other, the wider side is referred to as the face (as opposed to the edge). Face might also refer to the surface that is to be visible in the finished item.

Fence - a flat and straight length of some material, usually wood, steel or aluminum, which provides a reference for tools to work against, or which prevents the work from sliding.

Figure - naturally occurring decorative patterns in wood, caused by either growth increments or tissue orientation.

Fixture - a device the holds the work in a fixed location (compare to jig).

G

Grain - the longitudinal fibers in wood.

Green wood - unseasoned wood; freshly harvested timber, usually with a high moisture content.

Grit - the grade of particles in sandpaper or sharpening stones which determines the aggressiveness of the cut.

Groove - a slot or channel made with the grain, usually on the end-grain in preparation for a tongue and groove joint.

H

Hardwood - wood from an angiosperm tree. Generally speaking, the wood from a deciduous tree. Despite the name, not necessarily very hard or dense wood (for example, balsa is a hardwood), although generally harder than softwoods.

I

J

Jig - A device that both holds the work and guides a tool (compare to fixture).

K

Kerf - the width of cut made by a saw blade.

Knot - A circular pattern in timber, caused by a dead branch that was not fully integrated into the tree before it was cut down. A loose knot is one that cannot be relied upon to remain in place in the piece. A tight knot, on the other hand, is fixed by growth or position in the wood structure so that it firmly retains its place in the surrounding wood.

L

M

Molding - a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration.

Mortise - a cavity or hole (generally rectangular) in a piece of wood, meant to receive a tenon or a hinge.

Miter - a joint made by fastening together pieces with the ends cut at an angle.

N

O

P

Q

Quarter-sawn - a plank with growth rings perpendicular to the wider face.

R

Rabbet - A 'groove' cut parallel to, and at the edge of, a board.

Relief cut - short straight cuts made at right angles to a curved layout so sharper than normal curves can be cut with a jig saw or band saw.

Resawing - a process of cutting timber along the grain to reduce larger sections into smaller sections.

Rift sawn - rip sawing of lumber (timber) perpendicular to the grain, often confused with quarter sawn.

Rip - a cut made parallel to the grain.

S

S2S - lumber, usually furniture grade hardwood, with two sides planed.

S4S - lumber, usually furniture grade hardwood, with four sides planed.

Seasoning - reducing the moisture content of wood before working to prevent cracking, splitting, and other damage due to drying.

Softwood - wood from a gymnosperm tree like conifers. Despite the name, not necessarily very soft or light wood (for example, Douglas-fir is a softwood).

Spalting - a change in the texture, strength and color of wood caused by colonies of fungus growing within the dead wood. Where colonies of fungus meet, fine black lines - often considered a desirable feature, can be seen.

Split - to longitudinally separate wood along grain layers.

Square - 1) a tool such as a steel square, try square, combination square; 2) a right angle; 3) an area of 100 sq. ft.

T

Tear out - broken or torn fibers resulting from damage as the blade of a tool exits the cut.

Tenon - is a projection on the end of a piece of wood for insertion into a mortise.

True - something which is accurately placed, shaped, or sized. To true up two pieces of wood is to make them align. The correct size or shape.

Twist - longitudinal twisting of wood due to uneven seasoning or grain.

U

Undercutting - cutting away from an edge to increase the sense of relief or thinness.

V

Veneer - very thin slices of wood used for inlay or to cover surfaces.

W

Warp - distorted lumber, such as a twist, cup or a bow.

X

Y

Z



Related Pages

Links to related PPM Wiki pages:

  Wood Shop  
  Wood Shop — SawStop  

For Additional Help

Use the PPM Slack channel #wood-shop to discuss the area and tools, including our SawStop.
List of all PPM Slack channels
Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community.


Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.

Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.

Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) is dedicated to supporting our maker community in their creative processes by providing shared space, shared tools, materials, software, and a knowledge base to turn their ideas into reality.