Poplar Dining Table - Bad Idea?
Is poplar a bad choice? I'm getting ready to build my first dining table. I'm concerned that poplar is either too soft or too boring.
Personally, I've always like poplar pieces with creamy sections next to heart wood sections. I think it's soft and pretty once it ages. It's great to work with, stable, has a variety of dimensions at my lumber yard, and best of all...it's cheap!
However, I couldn't find any examples of Dining tables (for 6 people) built with poplar. I'm just wondering why. I'll probably finish with minwax wipe-on poly. Would that beef up a poplar table top enough to withstand writing on a piece of paper with a pen directly on the table top? Will poplar table legs get excessive dents from metal chairs and shoes banging into them? Will Birch, Maple, or Cherry do significantly better?
Poplar is fast growing, sustainable, etc
Depending on the finish you use and your expecations, poplar will do just fine. A gloss finish viewed by side-lite might fail the test if not backed by tool steel.
While the persuit of perfection is worthwhile I wouldn't do a high speed chase through a set of ulcers.
I had a popular table for years....
I used a popular table for years inherited from my grandmother. It held up 'fine'. Meaning, this was a table that we pretty much abused (eating, crafts, writing, cards, etc etc.... everything imaginable was done of this table).
Of course it showed wear and tear over the years. But it would not have mattered what wood was used. It is highly unlikely it will 'wear out', and if you use it pretty much any wood is going to look used.
If you like the look of the wood, that is all that matters (dont get caught up in what others might deem secondary wood or not). In my opinion, some of the nicest pieces I have seen have been made from whatever material was readily available in that region (early construction revolved around the materials at hand), and even wear down as its used which adds to its charm.
Let us know how it comes out!