Thread: Bringing out the grain

Originally Posted by TheBaron

riftsawn?
quartersawn?

I'm not sure what you just called me, but when I get a dictionary, you're in trouble.

I'll keep that in mind.

Quartersawn boards are cut radially, from the center of the log to the bark. Flat sawn boards are tangential to the outside of the tree. Rift sawing is somewhere in the middle.

The pattern of sycamore is strongly influenced by the cut. This is because of the striking medullary rays that radiate from the center of the tree to the cambium layer on the outside.

Lower grit will give you a deeper pocket for dyes/stains/finishes to molecularly bond to. This will generate a more pronounced grain. However, you might not have as smooth of a finish if you use a very very thin coat. Same idea why you rough up a surface before you put on a finish or even and adhesive.

I have found that CA gives the timber an almost 3D effect, on Sheoak and Banksia at least.