American ash  I`ve probably made more furniture from this `blonde` timber than any other over the years. It combines strong linear figure with good strength especially for chairs. I was given a tree by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew from the Great Storm of 1987 and still have some precious planks left.

(Left) The corner drinks cabinet I made using hand cut thick veneers.
from a solid board of ash.

Most craftsman have favourite woods. It takes many years to learn about the character of different woods through your hands. Here are some of my favourite timbers  - chosen for a variety of reasons ;  perhaps for their ease of working, grain, visual appeal, cost, availability, strength, durability etc. The images here are scanned real specimens of small offcuts (unvarnished) from my workshop ! Here are some  typical examples of my work using these timbers. To learn more about wood, our wood culture, native species, endangered species, etc,   click here.

American cherry  A gorgeous timber for contemporary furniture after it has aged and mellowed for a few years. It has a golden lustre. Working properties are good - a little brittle when machining. I prefer to lacquer this timber with a satin finish. It has been fashionable for bespoke furniture in the UK since the Eighties.

The Zigzag table (below left)

Canadian rock maple   A more recent favourite of mine, this timber combines good strength with fine figure. It is very tough and better indoors than outdoors and takes a satin or gloss finish very well. It inevitably yellows with exposure to sunlight although some finishes deter this process better than others. 

The Cabotable (right)

Pine or "deal"   A great all purpose constructional timber and highly sustainable. For outdoor work I prefer to use rough sawn as it reflects heat better and reduces cracking.     

A desk made from the old stage floor timbers of the Theatre Royal Bath.

English oak    Distinguished by its silver fleck medullary ray this timber represents everything English. It is an extremely tough wood. The oak period spanned centuries in mediaeval England. It takes varnish and oil well. I prefer not to wax it.

Five oak benches made for the Roman Baths in Bath (right).

Elm (Dutch)   When everybody seemed to be burning elm in the late 70`s I was Picking it up as cheap as £1 per cube ! (Dutch elm disease did not seem to affect the structural properties). This timber was my favourite in the 70`s despite its tendency to warp and move. Takes Danish oil well. It has good strength in stout sections.

(Below) The grid table

Buhr oak    There was a time when I could pick up offcuts of this wood lying around for nothing at timber yards in my locality. A different story today.as it is a highly desirable timber. I use it for decorative boxes and turnery. It takes Danish oil well.

(Right)  A wine cooler.