Woodworking has been a necessary practice performed by pros and enthusiasts for years. Most craftsmen have perfected the art of woodworking with more internet access, better tools, and tech, as well as richer raw materials. But the essentials of woodworking always come down to one thing – the wood itself. And some woodworkers need the ideal wood on a budget. After all, not everyone can afford to build using the most expensive wood in the world.
What’s the Absolute Cheapest Wood to Buy for Wood Working?
Well, the straight answer is this: Pine is the cheapest Wood you can buy for woodworking. Pinewood has been used for the longest of time in most furniture and wood pieces. Not only because of its rustic look and quality but the affordability.
Why Pine So Cheap?
Pine pieces are often much more affordable than oak ones of the same type. The rapid growth of the pine tree is the primary cause of that cost difference. Pine trees are low maintenance and last shorter in the market, which allows growers to price the pinewood at a lower rate.
Where It Is Grown?
Pine trees are present all over the Northern Hemisphere. It is distributed throughout major areas of Europe, America, Canada, and Mexico. Even in Germany, pine follows spruce as the largest proportion of trees per area.
Many of these areas have their pine species, with some being restricted to specific areas. Sumatran pinewood, for example, is present near the equator, while Canadian pinewood is particular to the Rocky Mountains and Nova Scotia.
What Is It Commonly Used For?
Since it is so widely used by woodworkers across the world, pinewood is used in many different ways. Woodworkers use the pulp of a pine tree to make paper, while wood is used mainly in the furniture industry due to its smooth graining.
The knots you get in pine are typically tiny and clean, giving the wood a more aesthetic look, so furniture tends to be more rustic. Pine is also one of the sturdiest wood options for furniture, even though it is considered softwood.
What to NOT Use It For!
While you can use pine for any piece or project you’d like, its aesthetic is not meant for more modern pieces. Contemporary furniture typically uses more clean and modern finished wood pieces like mahogany.
Pine is also not as strong or sturdy as oak wood for furniture. Being a softwood, it does tend to scratch easily, so if you’re looking for a long-standing untouchable project, you’ll have to avoid using it. This also means that maintenance costs for pine projects are usually higher, so if you can’t afford the time or money for it, it’s best to go with hardwoods like oak.
Where Can You Buy It?
Since pine would is so popular, its supply is relatively easy to come by. Plenty of woodshops and lumber markets will have pine pieces for construction and woodworking to sell. You can even go to online stores like Amazon and find pinewood at reasonable prices. Just make sure to verify your sellers and observe the wood for any excessive knotting which can be bad.