What woodworkers need to know to optimize their machining. Here are some frequently asked questions on machining wood.

Q We are experiencing breakage in walnut cut-to-size chair legs, somewhat like honeycomb and straight across. Can you advise? A What you have is “brash wood.” There are three causes. The first is due to the wood being much lighter in weight than normal. This is caused by very slow growth in porous woods. Light weight is also caused by the formation of tension wood (hardwoods) or compression wood (softwoods) within the tree.

Shrinkage in wood can vary to some degree from tree to tree and even from different locations in the tree. Here are some ways to avoid problems in the machining process.

The phenomenon of raised grain may be due to excessive pressure during machining. Compressed, softer cells spring-back afterward, causing the grain to rise. Another cause is uneven moisture. Let's talk.

The first step in choosing a bandsaw blade is to define the cutting requirements. Some considerations are related to the quality of the cut — smoothness, accuracy or straightness, and curve radius — and some are related to the wood itself: density, depth of cut and grain orientation.

Gene Wengert, "The Wood Doctor," discusses the causes and solutions for veneer buckle.