Shou Sugi Ban: Does Charring Wood Actually Protect It From Weather?
Shou Sugi Ban: does charred wood last in modern outdoor use? Durability, rot resistance, preservation, techniques, pros/cons.
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'.
Is Shellac a Food-Safe Wood Finish? The Science of Ethanol, Bug-Lac, and Alcohol Resistance
Shellac as a food-contact finish: ethanol solvent behavior, Bug-Lac origins, and alcohol resistance for wood materials.
What Makes Osage Orange, Yew, and Sassafras Hazardous to Woodworkers?
Safety guide for Osage Orange, Yew, Sassafras: toxins, irritants, PPE, safe handling, storage, exposure risks, first aid.
Is Reclaimed Barn Wood Safe? A Real-World Materials Guide
Is reclaimed barn wood safe? Identify contaminants, pesticides, and lead paint hazards; testing options and safe-use steps.
Mineral Oil vs. Beeswax vs. Walnut Oil vs. Carnauba Wax: What’s the Best Food-Safe Finish?
Food-safe finish showdown: mineral oil, beeswax, walnut oil, carnauba wax; safety, durability, application, care, and wood boards
Is Your Wood Epoxy Project Food-Safe? The Woodworker’s Guide to FDA Codes and Material Science
Food-safe epoxy for wood: FDA codes, curing stages, heat and scratch resistance—answers for curious woodworkers.
What Is Zinc Naphthenate and How Does It Protect Wood?
Zinc naphthenate wood preservatives: chemistry, mechanisms, formulations, application, performance, wood species compatibility.
Wood Dust Allergy or Irritation: What’s the Real Long-Term Risk?
Sensitization vs irritation in longterm wood dust exposure: risks, at-risk groups, symptoms, PPE, safety for wood workers.
What Makes Oily Rags a Fire Hazard in Your Woodshop?
Spontaneous combustion of oily rags: oxidation chem., heat, ignition risks, handling, wood safety, storage, disposal, prevention.
Is That Scrap Wood Safe to Burn? A Wood Science Guide to Fireplace and Fire Pit Risks
Safe scrap wood burning: creosote, toxins, sap hazards, and species-specific wood materials risks for fireplaces and fire pits.