Edensaw Woods is Washington state's leading supplier of
high-quality domestic woods. Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you in selecting the
best basswood domestic wood for your project requirements. Our highest grade, Basswood Prime, has a minimum clear face cutting of 83-1/3. Basswood is ideal for applications that call for long, wide clear-face cuts or multiple rips and chops.
Basswood (Tilia americana) is botanically classified as a hardwood (from a deciduous tree), though it is one of the softest and lightest available, making it excellent for detail work. Basswood has a fine, even texture and a subtle, indistinct grain that makes it simple to work with. It is widely used for carving, turning, and making certain musical instrument components.
Basswood Technical Specifications and Density - Understanding its low density is key to selecting Basswood:
- Janka Hardness: Basswood is extremely soft, with a Janka rating of approximately 410 lbf. For comparison, this is far softer than Alder (590 lbf) or Oak (129 lb). This makes it easy to carve with minimal effort.
- Density: It is very lightweight, averaging around 26 lbs/ft^3. Its low weight is advantageous for model airplanes, trim that needs to be mounted to weak surfaces, and musical instrument bodies (like solid-body electric guitars) where weight relief is desired.
- Balsa Comparison: While soft, Basswood is significantly denser and stronger than Balsa wood. Basswood offers greater rigidity and durability for model building, making it better for structural components where Balsa might be too fragile.
Common Uses and Characteristics of Basswood - Basswood domestic wood can be used for a variety of projects that require a soft, easy-to-work-with wood:
- Carving: Many woodcarvers prefer basswood. It is soft and holds intricate details well, making it easy to carve even by hand without excessive splitting or grain tear-out.
- Turning: Basswood is a good turning wood. Its soft and smooth consistency allows it to finish well, making it frequently used in the production of bowls, vases, and other turned objects.
- Musical instruments: Basswood is used to make musical instruments such as certain electric guitar bodies. It is an excellent choice for these instruments because it is light, strong, and possesses desirable acoustic properties (neutral tone).
- Plywood: Basswood is a common wood used in the production of plywood due to its lightweight nature, strength, and smooth surface.
- Veneer: Basswood is also used as a veneer, often to create a uniform, paintable surface over a less aesthetically appealing substrate.
- Wood pulp: Basswood is utilized in the production of wood pulp, which is necessary for making paper, cardboard, and other paper products.
Finishing and Aesthetic Tips - Basswood's subtle grain pattern requires specific finishing considerations:
- Staining: Because its grain is indistinct, Basswood can appear muddy when stained darkly. It is best suited for clear finishes or very light stains that maintain its pale, creamy color.
- Painting: Due to its fine, uniform texture, Basswood is one of the best woods for painting. It provides an exceptionally smooth surface with minimal grain showing through, which is ideal for toys, models, and painted trim.
- Gluing: Basswood glues exceptionally well with standard PVA (wood) glue, making it reliable for laminations and assembling carved pieces.
As your local domestic & exotic supplier, local rough sawn & surfaced lumber supplier, and local wood veneer supplier,
Edensaw Woods (
Edensaw.com) offers a wide selection of top-quality
domestic wood and lumber essential for cabinet, marine, and construction projects across the Pacific Northwest region. From our locations in Port Townsend-Tacoma, Washington, USA, we provide professionals and hobbyists in Seattle-Port Townsend-Tacoma with premium local rough sawn and surfaced lumber. Browse popular varieties, including
alder,
ash,
basswood,
beech, and
birch. Our specialty lumber selection also features beautiful hardwoods like
cherry,
hickory, and
walnut, alongside reliable softwoods like
fir and aromatic
tennessee cedar. We stock various maple options, including
maple (eastern) and
maple (western), plus oak selections like
red oak,
red oak riftsawn-quartersawn, classic
white oak, and premium
white oak riftsawn-quartersawn, among many more choices. Learn about our wide array of
products and
services by reaching out via
contact us.
