Name:
Gene
Wengert
Email:
[email protected]
Biography:
Gene Wengert, “The Wood Doctor” has been training people in efficient use of wood for 45 years. He is extension specialist emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Copaia (Para para): Lightweight wood often used in imported products.
Copaia (Jacaranda copaia) is probably more commonly known in North American trade as para para. However, the common name of lumber from this tree varies from country to country. In fact, in Panama, it is sometimes called “elephant’s foot” as the corrugated trunk near the ground looks somewhat like an elephant’s foot.
By
Gene Wengert,
March 5, 2024 | 10:10 am CST
45 years of explaining wood technology
Gene Wengert, the Wood Doctor, has been answering readers questions since 1979; here’s his first column.
By
Gene Wengert,
March 5, 2024 | 9:37 am CST
California black oak: An oak with several differences
California black oak is in the red oak group of species, but its source of supply (it grows primarily in northern California and southwest Oregon), physical properties (it is weaker than most red oaks, but machines better), appearance (it is not as red, but has tighter grain), and processing differences (drying is difficult) merit a special discussion of this species.
By
Gene Wengert,
February 22, 2024 | 9:56 am CST
Solving crosscut, wood planing & other issues
The Wood Doctor answers questions on steamed walnut issues, joint failures at the chop saw, planing and other solid wood machining problems.
By
Gene Wengert,
February 9, 2024 | 12:22 pm CST
Why better grades might not mean better yield
Plus the Wood Doctor answers questions about how wood burns, and why spruce is preferred for musical instruments.
By
Gene Wengert,
February 8, 2024 | 11:03 am CST
Lodgepole pine: A strong and useful pine species
Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) grows in the Rocky Mountains, from Alaska to northern New Mexico, in the Black Hills and on the Pacific Coast. Poles of this tree were used by Native Americans for structural supports for teepees and lodges; hence the common name of lodgepole.
By
Gene Wengert,
February 8, 2024 | 10:53 am CST
What determines color and strength in wood?
The Wood Doctor also answers questions about bumps in wooden flooring, and how thick 4/4 lumber is supposed to be.
By
Gene Wengert,
February 8, 2024 | 10:46 am CST
What's the best winter humidity for a wood plant? Plus more FAQs
The Wood Doctor also answers questions about black locust. estimating lumber weight, and achieving white wood in drying.
By
Gene Wengert,
December 15, 2023 | 11:59 am CST
Santos mahogany: Strong, hard, resinous wood from South America
Although this wood is not related to Honduran (or true) mahogany or to African mahogany, it is a rich, dark mahogany colored wood and is actually a bit harder than Honduran mahogany.
By
Gene Wengert,
December 15, 2023 | 11:50 am CST
Is it really heart pine?
Trying to confirm an antique wood species, plus a question about justifying
an in-line moisture meter.
By
Gene Wengert,
November 1, 2023 | 2:21 pm CDT
You submitted this Article: White oak
You submitted this Article: Red Oaks a diverse group
You submitted this Article: Red alder started from the bottom
You submitted this Article: What you need to know about bamboo
You submitted this Article: Why does wood color change?
You submitted this Article: Difference between steamed and unsteamed walnut
You submitted this Article: How to avoid shrinkage in drying yellow poplar, cottonwood
You submitted this Article: Hackberry: Try it, you'll like it!
You submitted this Article: Addressing wet spots in walnut
You submitted this Article: End checks found at installation
You submitted this Article: How do I straighten warped shelves?
You submitted this Article: What do I do about a raised glue line between wood pieces?
You submitted this Article: Why do wooden cabinet doors change shape, and what can be done?
You submitted this Article: How much defective wood is acceptable in the manufacturing process?
You submitted this Article: What can you tell me about 'sinker' cypress versus regular cypress?
You submitted this Article: The extremely strong Osage Orange tree derives name from the Osage Indians
You submitted this Article: How to solve veneer buckle in the woodshop
You submitted this Article: How do I check the quality of incoming lumber?
You submitted this Article: What humidity is best for the wood furniture in my office?
You submitted this Article: What glue should I use for poplar boards?
You submitted this Article: Why do different oak grades have a similar yield?
You submitted this Article: Why can't I screw into MDF?
You submitted this Article: What is the effect of steaming lumber?
You submitted this Article: Southern Yellow Pine: Why some people prefer spruce
You submitted this Article: Why does my lumber dry with a sticker stain?
You submitted this Article: What is the effect of pressure when gluing wood?
You submitted this Article: Is El Nino causing surface checking?
You submitted this Article: What will happen to the price of lumber going into 2015 and 2016?
You submitted this Article: How do I minimize cracking in large wood pieces?
You submitted this Article: How do I check the moisture content of incoming lumber?
You submitted this Article: Is it normal for catalyzed finishes to crack over joints?
You submitted this Article: Why are some pieces of maple softer than others?
You submitted this Article: Is the low humidity of my shop causing surface checks?
You submitted this Article: What causes wet pockets in eastern white pine?
You submitted this Article: What do you know about solar heated lumber dry kilns?
You submitted this Article: What causes breakage in walnut chairs?
You submitted this Article: Is it a good idea to put walnut directly into a kiln?
You submitted this Article: What should I do about a crack in my wooden countertop?
You submitted this Article: Should I get a small kiln to dry wood with?
You submitted this Article: What is the difference between red oak and white oak?
You submitted this Article: Rare and valuable, Pacific yew fights cancer, but makes toxic sawdust
You submitted this Article: How do I avoid getting lumber that is too wet to use?
You submitted this Article: What happens of oak is too dry, and what do we do about it?
You submitted this Article: What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 adhesive?
You submitted this Article: Is drying a disk from a tree possible without cracking it?
You submitted this Article: Jack pine's knotty appearance worth considering for furniture
You submitted this Article: Mesquite wood only recently appreciated for beauty
You submitted this Article: Eastern red cedar vital to environmental reclamation
You submitted this Article: How do sawing and drying practices affect my lumber?
You submitted this Article: Wenge highly favored, but endangered
You submitted this Article: What is the difference between white and yellow birch?
You submitted this Article: How is processing tropical walnut different from American walnut?
You submitted this Article: What are glue fillers and glue extenders?
You submitted this Article: Red pine useful, but not for painting
You submitted this Article: Regarding lumber storage
You submitted this Article: Most Radiata Pine now grown abroad
You submitted this Article: Why does my planer make wavy surfaces?
You submitted this Article: What causes cupping in lumber?
You submitted this Article: What causes bumps in veneer over MDF?
You submitted this Article: Why does wenge core have a different color than the rest of it?
You submitted this Article: Hickory becoming more common in furniture
You submitted this Article: Is honeycomb a risk when drying oak?
You submitted this Article: What are some planing defects and how do I prevent them?
You submitted this Article: Fir comes in many species, but lumber looks the same
You submitted this Article: What do I do about loss of nail and staple strength in wood?
You submitted this Article: How to choose sandpaper
You submitted this Article: Could you explain what gives dowel pin joints their strength?
You submitted this Article: Why does my furniture develop veneer cracks?
You submitted this Article: How is wood face grading relevant to yields?
You submitted this Article: How far apart should stickers be placed when drying lumber?
You submitted this Article: Is my lumber supplier's way of measuring legitimate?
You submitted this Article: Why does my wood bow?
You submitted this Article: What is the difference between marine plywood and regular plywood?
You submitted this Article: Why would veneer tape telegraph through the face veneer?
You submitted this Article: Should we leave gaps between boards in the kiln?
You submitted this Article: How do get epoxy adhesive to cure faster?
You submitted this Article: What is ray fleck and where does it come from in wood?
You submitted this Article: Black walnut: Why coloration matters
You submitted this Article: I have a wood manufacturing operation and don't know what to do. Help?
You submitted this Article: How do I flatten cupped lumber?
You submitted this Article: Holly beautiful, but toxic
You submitted this Article: How to choose a bandsaw blade
You submitted this Article: How good is animal hide glue? Should I use it?
You submitted this Article: Does my dining table have an insect infestation?
You submitted this Article: Why does plywood become delaminated?
You submitted this Article: Is fungicide dipping causing discoloration of my lumber?
You submitted this Article: Giant Chinkapin exquisite, but little known