The SECRET to Picking WALNUT LUMBER

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Alright, we shared our tips, but which tray was your favorite?

[@monicaswift-hjerrild]

just one??? They're all beautiful. I really have been wanting to redo my kitchen countertops and was thinking walnut.

[@christianrobinson4526]

The hexagon one was really cool. I'd love to figure out how you did the angles on the bottom!

[@mattrinne]

@@christianrobinson4526 would make a chill video! Mark....?

[@mattrinne]

I'd vote for the paddle shaped charcuterie tray. If that's the right term for it. It's beautiful no matter what it's called!

[@wb8ujb]

Glad to hear that I'm not the black sheep loving sap wood in walnut. Gives project something that stands out. Catch's your eye, make a person look closer at the project. I would never turn down a rejected board. Good Tips, appreciate your video very much.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

High five ✋

[@smm274]

Great video! Definitely some good take aways!

[@LifeSavingDefense]

I love the imperfections and it’s actually what I look for when I want a cool piece. They add character.

[@terristroh3965]

My first furniture piece was a side table made from walnut with some sap wood. My instructor asked me twice if I was sure I wanted to use it. I saw its beauty and forged ahead. The others in the class using walnut cut off the sapwood for their tables. When all the tables were done, everybody thought mine was the most beautiful.

[@befmx31]

I just today put in an order for a bunch of wood for cutting boards and such. To be honest, I did it because your prices weren't too bad, your website was great to order from and because of the videos you make.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

and we sincerly thank you for it 🙏

[@WoodcraftBySuman]

That's it! I'm leaving...when the video is finished.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

^^^ I like this guy, he gets it

[@malcolmmeares8168]

G'day from Australia mate, love the way you think about timber, I think the same way the ugly timber is the best timber using this this timber has yielded me some of my best projects and alot of people have admired it because of the the unique look. I think also it's the imperfections that make it perfect anyway cheers mate and keep up the good work enjoying watching your videos

[@andrewpensavalle2282]

You are always a master magician when it comes to dealing with lumber, Mark.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

You’re too kind Andy

[@kandiecandelaria3134]

Good presentation!!!

[@donesry2902]

OH, I wanted to thank you. I am working on a couple of tables (42" square tables) and I am using some of your techniques for finishing them. I worry about the walnut going blond so I first dyed it and then applied some dark walnut danish oil and then topping with arm-r-seal and everything is looking great. I got that from one of your videos, but I don't remember which one. I love your work and want to be like you when I grow up...

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Awesome, you're going to love that look

[@danr1920]

I select out the knots, but use the wood right upto the knot. I buy the lower grads as the figure is better.

[@TWC6724]

I love how you finish your walnut in your projects. It always looks so rich.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Oil, the trick is oil 👍

[@AxGryndr]

That figure is hard to deal with if you don't have a planer with a helical style cutter head. I think that causes most hobbyist woodworkers to reach for more straight grain lumber.

[@Brian-dr2yi]

Can you do an episode of red colored woods. And how they age. Like bloodwood. It's hard to find exotic wood by me

[@williamguzman6037]

Great full for the tips. I am new at this fun wood working an I fine your information very helpful. I am going to make furniture for our new house. Breakfast table round, end tables hallway narrow three shelves that appear to be floating. Having difficulty choosing which wood to use. I want a rich dark matte color. Coil you recommend the wood I could use? And ship it to me. In advance thank you.

[@gracejumaa529]

Hey, I just subscribed after watching your work. I must say Congratulations.... And course exactly can I pursue to be able reach such levels of woodworking. Thank you!

[@markalbano1851]

Great stuff as usual! I’m a big fan of having some knots and sap wood in my pieces. I think they both give the project a lot of character! Please don’t take so long between videos!

[@troyacourtney]

Agree 100%!!!

[@JeffRevell]

I always tell people that the "Rustic" Walnut boards are where the amazing figure is. And like you said, It's about half the price of the premium boards.

[@darthstewie76]

This inspired me to purposely find a board with sapwood and make something similar. Thank you!

[@germcrazyshokoff3623]

Man, I wish I had my own lumber store to shop at!!

[@befmx31]

Is there a rule of thumb on when to use epoxy vs ca glue to file holes? Thanks.

[@professortrog7742]

Small -> CA. It also dries very fast, especially if you spray on some of that curing spray stuff.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

@@professortrog7742 agreed, that's pretty muchh the rule of thumb.

[@professortrog7742]

Activator, that’s what it’s called.

[@jeffreystewart6571]

I agree totally. I have used knots to my advantage often. Thank you

[@mattrinne]

I'm sure there's lots of options out there, but out of curiosity what kind of black epoxy do you use to fill the knots and voids? Keep up the helpful content! 🪵👊

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

We used the system three black quick cure, good stuff!

[@SlyNation]

'The Dreaded Sapwood'?! Tables across the land are insulted! When I do live edge shelving or, small tables, I always look for a distinct and thick sapwood portion. It gives it a beautiful contrast to the dark walnut heartwood and when finished it always glows this honeyed brown color that I love. Walnut is beautiful by itself, but the sapwood makes it come alive!

[@donesry2902]

Thanks! Your projects always look great and I really appreciate you teaching me. What drives me crazy about working with that type of walnut is that I can start with a straight flat piece of lumber and then when I cut it, I have two twisted curved boards. I really have to sneak up on the final dimensions which means lots of sawdust. Thank you for the inspiration! I keep coming back to walnut because of the color and crazy grain. I too like to have some sap wood in the project.

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

Nice. What'd u do to the borders of the tray? So dark compared to the rest of the board. I like it. Painted?

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Ah! Actually that’s actually roasted walnut. It’s heat treated and comes out neeeeeearly black. It’s a different kind of walnut we sell

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

My local store refers to those as, "character lumber". Wish you guys were local to me :) Techniques for staining the sapwood would have been super helpful, or a card to a previous video if you'd done that already.

[@Riffme81]

My store here in Australia sells your beautiful black walnut and proudly calls it 'rustic' Have to go through some boards to get what you want but I've picked out some crazy figured walnut.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Good call, I'd suggest this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6u3ZZtoZ9h4d68. I used the Watco Black Walnut Danish Oil on the tray with sapwood to blend it together.

[@Dragon_With_Matches]

Really cool!

[@nathanjames8535]

Walnut is my favorite. My Dad bought a harbor freight saw mill and now I have all the walnut I need for a lifetime!

[@johntiefel4248]

Really great information. I hope I don't make a fool out of myself, but I have read that Russian Birch actually comes from Russia. Am I correct in that knowledge? I wonder what is going to be the future of Russian Birch due to what is going on in Ukraine. I like working with the material, but I can't see myself buying it if it really comes from Russia. Do you have any feedback from the market out there?

[@michelnormandin8068]

I usually don't leave comments on utube, but need to say thanks. I learn a lot with you monsieur Stephens. Cheers from about 5,000 kms.

[@joearbuckle817]

I agree with you Mark. At the mill where is buy my lumber they have a scrap pile of stuff people have picked over and discarded. I asked what they do with it and was told they mostly burn it in their wood stove. I then started picking through it and found a lot of really good, or great, project lumber. I don’t know why people insist on 8’ long straight boards. Most small project people begin by cutting the boards into two piece. I buy the short off fall and eliminate that issue. And, it’s cheap!

[@montygamble2843]

I have a question about staining. I’m helping a friend with mahogany solid core interior doors. Each door has a slightly different color. I’m thinking we could tint a clear stain to get a true mahogany color so all 6 doors would match. Could you offer up some thoughts and recommendations. Thank you so much.

[@Ozzzy506]

Im beginning exam this monday, making an walnut desk. Buying wood tomorrow. I love the sap wood but it counts as a mistake, if it shows… sadly i cant do that then:/

[@RodgerHarrell]

I found a walnut tree from an orchard here in central California. Someone dropped it off. It has all sorts of "Issues" and makes for some very cool projects. I'm a fan of all walnut. Clear or knotty.

[@TxStang]

Personally I like the straight grain heartwood with as few blemishes as possible as I tend to build traditional style projects

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

We Totally get that 👍

[@timrothgeb416]

For furniture you need wood without knots and sap wood. I am not going to spend hundreds of hours on a project and have it not look as good as it can. That being said your point is well taken, there are projects that can use less than perfect.

[@professortrog7742]

Nice, though the tung oil is way to dark for my liking. That’s personal preference though.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Definitely to each their own. I like the Watco walnut tinted danish oil for a dark finish, or tung oil to better accent figure and interesting grain.

[@professortrog7742]

@@WoodworkersSourcecom i am a fan of colorless Osmo top wax, it looks very natural.

[@LifeSavingDefense]

I can’t find an answer anywhere? I need a finish for a 1950s walnut but stock. BLO and paste wax are the common answer…..BUT If paste wax has BLO in it then why apply BLO before the paste wax at all? Yes I get stuck in the details sometimes. Thank you

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Probably to let the wood fibers get saturated with the oil. Just a theory

[@bw162]

Corey is best asset Woodworker’s Source has.

[@crsvetteii1753]

ok...so where does one get "Black Epoxy"?

[@tanyat9687]

It's just regular epoxy with a few drops of tint mixed in. I prefer to use liquid mixol tints, but there are others out there.

[@AxGryndr]

There is also a black CA glue by Starbond for smaller cracks and holes.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

We started carrying the System 3 epoxy which have a few options for black epoxy.

[@susanzimmerman616]

I really enjoy watching your videos. I also really appreciate how in depth you talk about the difference between the wood types, ie… maple… and different types of wood species. You’re so informative! I wish you would list the products you use during your project making…. Epoxy, mica powder or liquid coloring…etc. New to all of this. It would be helpful to a newbie, like me.

[@romanjohnston]

I love wood for what it is.....unique and kinda crazy. Perfect advice.

[@kennkrizsanitz7820]

just wanted to say I like sapwood also, got my wood when my son was supervising some tree removal for idot, one section I used was 43in long by about 16 dia. at the big end and about 14 on the small. this was my first time working with walnut. I jumped in with both feet, milled them with a chainsaw mill, to be used to make floating shelving . ended up with 4 nice shelfs, the fifth is where I learned about cupping as it was the outside first cut, made a pretty shelf but is not flat anymore. love the channel pick up something almost every video I watch.

[@rw7532]

I love walnut especially with some danish oil applied (an idea I got from this channel). Unless I am making panels I usually don’t pay much mind to the sap wood and just lets God’s hand reveal what the board has to offer for my viewing pleasure.

[@marcrasor9906]

What was the finish you used that "blended" the sap wood area in the one example you showed?

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Ah! Yeah that’s Watco Black Walnut Danish Oil

[@hansangb]

Love this video. A week ago, I ordered multiple levels of walnut and some ash. It's going to be my first big-boy "real" wood woodworking! I can't wait to get going!

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Right on!

[@jaymesmith7361]

Love the content and the channel mark!!! Keep up the amazing work!!!

[@barkingshark6413]

Love the passion…

[@markboomershine5072]

What edge profile is that on the tray at the 7:30 mark? Cheers

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

It’s just carved 👍👍

[@rebecca5837]

Seriously, I love your videos. Somehow you make it feel like I’m standing in your garage watching you geek out. I bought a slab of mesquite today(unexpectedly) and the first thing I did was rewatch your mesquite video.

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

That’s so cool, Rebecca. Thank you!

[@KSFWG]

Mark, I wish you carried more variety of woods in half inch thicknesses. I make a lot of smaller projects and I don't have a bandsaw to re-saw thicker lumber to thinner stock. Thanks for the video, I always enjoy them!

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

We can always plane it down to 1/2" or thinner if needed. 👍

[@keving8682]

That looks like a nice new MatchFit table! Any video on that coming up? 😃

[@WoodworkersSourcecom]

Good catch! No video, but really happy I made the change!