October 26, 2026
Finishing Oily Exotic Woods: Surface Prep and Reliable Results
Learn how to sand, clean, test and finish teak, bocote, olivewood and other extractive-rich turning blanks for better curing, adhesion and sheen.
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Practical tips, project ideas, and woodturning know-how from Got Wood? LLC. Explore our latest articles or choose a topic below.
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Selecting Wood
October 05, 2026
Natural-Edge Bowl Blanks: Selection, Orientation and Turning
Learn how to select and orient natural-edge bowl blanks, evaluate bark and pith, and plan mounting and interrupted cuts before turning.
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September 28, 2026
Choosing Spindle Blank Size: Diameter, Length and Mounting Waste
Choose spindle blank dimensions with room for finished diameter, length, hardware, drilling, and mounting waste before starting a turning project.
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September 21, 2026
End Checks in Turning Blanks: Causes and Usability
Learn why turning blanks develop end checks, how to evaluate cracks before mounting, and ways to manage drying to help reduce new checks.
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September 08, 2026
Woodturning Blank Orientation: Grain, Pith and Bowl Design
Learn how grain direction, growth rings, pith, sapwood, and blank orientation influence bowl design, cutting behavior, and wood movement.
Read ArticleAugust 14, 2026
True Rosewoods: Dalbergia Species and Common Name Confusion
Learn which woods belong to the Dalbergia genus and how true rosewoods differ from other timbers sold under rosewood trade names.
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August 05, 2026
Janka Hardness and Woodturning: What the Rating Does—and Doesn't—Tell You
Learn what Janka hardness measures and why density, grain, moisture, and silica also matter when choosing and turning wood blanks.
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July 16, 2026
Mahogany Comparison: Genuine, African, Sipo and Sapele
Compare genuine mahogany with African mahogany, sipo, and other alternatives, including appearance, workability, and woodturning uses.
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July 09, 2026
Why Flame Box Elder Turns Red: Color and Wood Figure
Explore the red coloration of flame box elder, how it differs from ambrosia maple staining, and why its color can change over time.
Read ArticleJuly 08, 2026
Best Woods for Pyrography: Grain, Contrast and Wood Selection
Compare woods for pyrography, including basswood and maple, and learn how grain, color, and texture affect lines, shading, and contrast.
Read ArticleJuly 08, 2026
Best Woods for Dyeing: Grain, Absorption and Color
Compare woods for dyeing, including maple, ash, and other light-colored species, and learn how absorption and grain influence the final color.
Read ArticleJuly 08, 2026
Woods That Dull Turning Tools: Density, Silica and Tool Wear
Explore how density, silica, and grain affect turning tool wear, compare demanding wood species, and consider ways to maintain cutting edges.
Read ArticleJuly 08, 2026
Easy Woods to Turn: Species Guide for Beginners
Compare easy-turning woods and more challenging species, and learn how grain, tool sharpness, and material selection affect turning behavior.
Read ArticleJuly 08, 2026
Wood for Kitchen Projects: Species and Food-Contact Considerations
Review wood species discussed for kitchen projects, with considerations for choosing material, evaluating its condition, and intended food contact.
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July 08, 2026
Spalted Wood Guide: Zone Lines, Color and Turning Considerations
Explore how spalting creates zone lines and color changes in wood, with considerations for selecting and working with spalted turning blanks.
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June 30, 2026
Kiln-Dried Turning Blanks: Moisture Content and Wood Movement
Learn what to expect from kiln-dried turning blanks, how equilibrium moisture content works, and why dried wood still responds to humidity.
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June 30, 2026
Wood Equilibrium Moisture Content: State-by-State Overview
Explore a state-by-state overview of wood equilibrium moisture content and learn why climate, humidity, and storage conditions affect wood movement.
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April 30, 2026
Black Limba vs. White Limba: Grain and Woodturning Guide
Compare black and white limba, including color, grain, and turning characteristics, and explore what makes each useful for woodturning projects.
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April 22, 2026
Figured Maple Guide: Curly, Birdseye, Burl and Quilted
Compare curly, fiddleback, tiger, birdseye, burl, and quilted maple, and learn how these figures affect the appearance of woodturning projects.
Read ArticleApril 01, 2026
Green vs. Kiln-Dried Wood for Woodturning
Compare green and kiln-dried turning blanks, including moisture, movement, rough turning, and how to choose material for your next project.
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March 31, 2026
Best Woods for Beginner Woodturners—and Woods to Avoid
Compare beginner-friendly turning woods with more challenging species, and learn what to consider when choosing your first woodturning blanks.
Read ArticleMarch 31, 2026
10 Underrated Woods for Woodturning
Discover ten overlooked turning woods, their working characteristics, and project ideas that make the most of their grain, color, and texture.
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March 17, 2026
Wood Figure Explained: Curly, Burl, Birdseye and More
Explore common types of wood figure, including curly, birdseye, burl, and quilted grain, and learn how figure affects the look of turned projects.
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February 27, 2026
FSC-Certified Wood: What the Certification Means
Understand FSC certification, responsible forest management, and what certification labels mean when choosing wood for your projects.
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February 24, 2026
Rough Sawn Spindle Blanks: Preparation and Project Uses
Learn what rough sawn spindle blanks are, why turners choose them, and how to prepare rough stock for handles, mills, and other spindle projects.
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February 04, 2026
Torrefied Wood for Woodturning: Benefits and Limitations
Learn how torrefaction changes wood color, stability, and turning behavior, with practical considerations for working with heat-treated blanks.
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