Shagbark hickory, one of the range of species that hickory comes in.
The hickory belongs to the walnut family of trees (Juglandaceae), and has several species. Hickory as a wood is generally used for tool handles and gym equipment. However, it can also be used in other woodworking projects, including dining tables.
Types
The types of hickory include pignut, shagbark, mockernut, water hickory, shell bark, bitternut hickory, nutmeg hickory and pecan hickory. Of these, pignut is the most valuable commercially.
Working with Hickory
Hickory is a dense hardwood, and is hard to work with (including sanding and sawing) due to its toughness. It is shock resistant and is also very heavy (one cubic foot of pignut is 53 pounds). Another feature of hickory is that it shrinks a lot as it dries.
Table Tips
There are various kinds of dining tables, from one that seats several people to one that seats a banquet. Take into consideration personal woodworking ability before attempting to build an ambitious design. Make sure the wood is thoroughly dry before working with it and that the tools being used for working with hickory are capable of handling its properties.
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