Hard/Soft Wood
Wood must be untreated and dried before being brought to the CNC lab.
Reclaimed wood can be used, but it has to be untreated and free of any nails, screws, or staples.
Wood will have to be finished after being cut in the CNC lab. The CNC lab does not finish projects.
Prices varies based on wood type. Here are some of the woods that where used in the CNC lab.
Hardwood
Definition
Comes from angiosperm trees that are not monocots; trees are usually broad-leaved. Has vessel elements that transport water throughout the wood; under a microscope, these elements appear as pores.
Uses
Hardwoods are more likely to be found in high-quality furniture, decks, flooring, and construction that needs to last.
Examples
Examples of hardwood trees include alder, balsa, beech, hickory, mahogany, maple, oak, teak, and walnut.
Cost
Hardwood is typically more expensive than softwood.
Softwood
Definition
Comes from gymnosperm trees which usually have needles and cones. Medullary rays and tracheid's transport water and produce sap. When viewed under a microscope, softwoods have no visible pores because of tracheid's.
Uses
About 80% of all timber comes from softwood. Softwoods have a wide range of applications and are found in building components (e.g., windows, doors), furniture, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), paper, Christmas trees, and much more.
Examples
Examples of softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew.
Cost
Softwood is typically less expensive compared to hardwood.
Advantages to using Hardwood
Has more durability compared to softwood
Often comes in dark tones
Advantages to using Softwood
Easier to work with compared to hardwood
Often comes in lighter tones
Less expensive compared to hardwood
