What’s the Real Science Behind Cleaning and Protecting Teak Wood?
Guide to cleaning teak furniture and decking: methods, chemical agents, prep, maintenance routines, and care tips.
Wood Work Science
Helping woodworkers using science and experience
Wood Work Science
Helping woodworkers using science and experience
David Ernst
David is a veteran woodworker. He is now retired and stays in his cabin in Wisconsin which he built himself. David has 25+ years experience working in carpentry and wood shops. He has designed and built many small and large wood projects and knows the science behind wood selection like the back of his hand. He is an expert guide on any questions regarding wood material selection, wood restoration, wood working basics and other types of wood. While his expertise is in woodworking, his knowledge and first hand experience is far from 'woody'.
Why Does Your Glue Joint Creep? The Science of PVA Failure Under Load
Slip creep in PVA glues under constant load: causes, testing, and practical tips to prevent failure in wood materials and joints.
Is Mineral Oil a Permanent Wood Finish? The Chemical and Physical Limits for Cutting Boards
Permanent mineral oil for boards & butcher blocks: chemical/physical limits, durability, moisture, staining, safety.
Why Does Your Epoxy Get Hot and Set Too Fast? Managing Pot Life and Cure Time
Epoxy pot life vs cure time for woodwork: manage exotherm, temperature, moisture, mixing, and safe cure workflow.
How Does Tung Oil Harden and Protect Wood? The Polymerization Science Explained
Tung oil polymerization and film hardening, with its wood effects: penetration, color, durability, drying times, and recoat tips.
What Do Accelerators Really Do to CA Glue’s Strength in Wood?
CA glue: accelerators, polymerization, shear strength in wood, prep, cure conditions, activators, viscosity, bond tests.
How Do You Properly Use Mineral Spirits for Wood Surface Preparation?
How to clean and prep wood with mineral spirits for finishing: safety, technique, wiping, drying, residue removal, disposal.
How Do You Turn Wood Ash into Soap Lye? A Woodworker’s Guide
How to extract lye from wood ash for traditional soap: leaching, strength testing, safety, equipment, filtering, and ratios.
What Controls the Sheen of Your Finish? The Physics of Rubbing Out Explained
Physics of abrasives and finish sheen: grit, pressure & speed; rubbing techniques; heat, texture, and gloss testing for wood.