Which of the local northeast hardwoods do you find easiest to work with?
I'ld like to get something that has nice figure.
This following info is all based on reading and not experience. I would sure love to get some feed back on what kind of hardwoods folks favor and why.
I live in the philly area, and these are supposed be local hardwoods
hickory - this is supposed to be the toughest wood of all NE woods and hard to machine
white oak - looks good, I like the quartersawn for panels, machines well
red oak - can't find #1 common for cheap, but sounds good, machines well, might be too plain, what is "penn oak"
maple (hard) - heard this was tough to work with, burns easily, dulls bits and blades
maple (soft) - heard this was easier than hard maple, not sure if it burns easily
walnut - kinda dark, but maybe best for machining, softer than oak
cherry - this is a little softer than walnut, but burns easily.
Overall, I'm leaning towards oak, walnut and cherry.
- kenny king
(novice woodworker)