In article , "Michael Faurot" wrote:
Doug Miller wrote:
In article , "Michael Faurot"
wrote:

I can't really say whether I'd rather have a table made of Beech or
Maple--I've never seen Beech (that I was aware of). Which is part of
my musing about what it is that makes these other types of woods less
available.

Beech vs maple is an easy one: unless quartersawn, beech warps all over
creation. Quartersawing is a PITA for the sawyer, and the yield is lower.
Using maple is just easier all around.

Well, since I wrote that message, I did some looking around and I've
seen some Beech now. It reminds me of Oak, but without the open pores and
a little softer. I rather like the look of it myself.

I do too -- and quartersawn, it's really pretty.

So I guess if I were to see two tables, constructed and finished in a
similar fashion, I'd probably opt for the Beech table if
it was less expensive and I didn't need the table to withstand a lot
of abuse. If this was to be dining table--definitely Maple as that
should stand up better to abuse.

Depends on which type of maple. Beech is not as hard as hard maple (sugar or
black maple), but it's a *lot* harder than soft maple (usually red maple,
sometimes silver or bigleaf). For a dining table, given the choice between
soft maple and quartersawn beech, IMO the beech wins, hands down. Hard maple
vs. quartersawn beech depends mostly on visual appeal; either one is plenty
hard enough for a dining table.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.