Hickory Woodworking Techniques

Cutting

• Hickory is renowned for its strength. When cutting hickory -- either cross-cutting or ripping -- use a sharp blade designed for cross-cutting or ripping. If the wood has set indoors for a long period of time, its core will be dry and concentrated. Lay damp rags across the wood to loosen the wood grain, which will make cutting easier. Wear eye goggles when cutting hickory since it is more likely to split or break apart.

Sanding

• Hickory wood is tight-grained and somewhat less-receptive to sanding. Sand with 60-grit sandpaper and an orbital sander to even the surface of hickory. Never sand across the grain of hickory while hand sanding. This will damage the grains, creating deep scratches. Unlike other hardwoods, you don't need to step sand the wood with more than three papers. For example, start with 60-grit paper, proceed to 80-grit sandpaper and finish with 120-grit paper.

Routing

• Hickory wood can be somewhat fragile when under the stresses of woodworking, particularly routing. Wear eye goggles when routing hickory. Place your router on its lowest speed and push and pull the router along the wood edges slowly. Always use a sharp router bit for hickory wood.

Finishing

• Because hickory is multicolored, apply light-colored stain rather than dark to expose the hickory. As an alternative, apply only a clear coat of oil-based clear coat. Applying oil-based finished on the hickory will help preserve the wood, while penetrating its grains. Apply three or more coats of clear coat on hickory to achieve maximum smoothness. Nonetheless, sand with 120-grit sandpaper between coats.