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Read More Articles by Gene Wengert

Gene Wengert (1942-2025) was popularly known as “The Wood Doctor.” He trained thousands of people in efficient use of wood for more than 50 years and authored foundational resources on wood technology. He worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Virginia Tech. His popular "Wood Doctor's Rx" column has appeared regularly in FDM and FDMC magazine since 1978. Because so much of his advice was timeless, he asked that we continue to run his columns in memoriam.

Wood Dr

What’s the best way to store lumber?

Storing lumber and how to prevent cupping in a tabletop.

By Gene Wengert, May 8, 2026 | 8:32 am CDT

Wood Dr

Bending wood, sanding with a tumbler

The Wood Doctor also settles a debate about cutting maple timber.

By Gene Wengert, March 31, 2026 | 10:54 am CDT

Wood Explorer

Andiroba: mahogany alternative in fine furniture, cabinets, flooring

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis) is found throughout Central and South America, from Cuba to Peru and Brazil. It is an extremely tall tree, reaching heights of 100 to 170 feet. Diameters are often 5 to 6 feet. The central stem is often straight and free of branches for 50 feet or more. As a result, clear lumber is common.

By Gene Wengert, March 2, 2026 | 10:17 am CST

Wood Dr

How to inspect incoming lumber

Characteristics of incoming lumber affect yield, processing costs, and ultimate quality of what you manufacture.

By Gene Wengert, March 2, 2026 | 10:06 am CST

Wood Explorer

Northern white-cedar

Soft, light, low strength, but resistant to decay, insects.

By Gene Wengert, January 27, 2026 | 4:30 pm CST

Wood Dr

Tips for turning square stock into rounds

Also a question about streaking stains in cedar.

By Gene Wengert, January 27, 2026 | 4:22 pm CST

Woodworking Industry News

Cold weather and woodworking

Q. It is very cold outside. What concerns do we have with this frigid weather in our plant?

By Gene Wengert, January 26, 2026 | 9:27 am CST

Wood Explorer

Balsam fir: Pale white lumber ideal for furniture, construction

One of the seven "true fir" species to produce commercial lumber.

By Gene Wengert, December 15, 2025 | 3:21 pm CST

Wood Dr

Learning to plane with the grain

Other questions to the Wood Doctor include pine pitch problems and how pine pitch was once an important resource.

By Gene Wengert, December 15, 2025 | 2:43 pm CST

Wood Explorer

Giant chinkapin: Species not well known outside of Oregon & California

Giant chinkapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla), sometimes called golden-leafed chinquapin and golden-leafed chestnut because of the minute golden scales on the leaf bottom, is a western hardwood and is an evergreen.

By Gene Wengert, November 20, 2025 | 10:09 am CST