Can Floor Lumber Be Used in Woodworking?

Using Floor Lumber

• Floor lumber is likely not the first choice of wood to use in a woodworking project, as it is long, thin and flat. The shape limits what woodworkers are able to do with the wood. However, it can be used for woodworking projects. Some woodworking projects are purely artistic; in that sense, the artist can use whatever materials he wants. Also, floor lumber might be useful for other specific woodworking projects, such as building small shelves or steps.

Best Woods

• A variety of different types of woods are considered ideal for wood carving or woodworking projects. Oak is strong and has been used for centuries, while pine is easier to carve and holds paint well. Other woods that are popular for woodworking projects include myrtlewood, basswood, butternut, walnut, teak, mahogany, white beech, red cedar and hoop pine. For many projects, these wood types may be better options than floor lumber.

Using What You Have

• While floor lumber might not be your first choice for using on a woodworking project, you might want to use it anyway if you have a surplus. Perhaps you bought too much lumber and have some left over, or maybe you just got a good deal on some and have no other use for it. Whatever the reason is, you can use floor lumber for woodworking projects to get some use out of the lumber that would otherwise just sit and rot in your garage, yard or shed.

Lumber Woodworking Ideas

• If you want to use lumber in a woodworking project but are not sure what to build, consider a few different project ideas. One is a coffee table. You can use lumber to create a rustic and chic table for the living room. Also, you can make a bed frame, workbench or even a lumber cart to store any extra lumber or other wood.