Aspen for Bedwood?

[DransportGarage]

In addition to playing with cars and trucks I do some woodworking, so I'll be cutting my own bedwood. I could use pine, but I don't care for how it takes a stain unevenly. I could use red oak, but it likes to split on the ends. So I thought about using aspen (available at Lowe's at half the price of red oak). I know it's a soft wood, but this truck will never haul anything. Is there any other reason not to use aspen? Has anyone else done this?

(If this question is high on the stupid meter, have some fun and rate from 1 to 10, with 10 being incoherent... )
Thanks,

[OrrieG]

I am not familar with aspen. Are you sure it isn't Poplar? Aspen in a very soft wood (see here http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extm.../FNR-273-W.pdf). Poplar is a good wood for heavy stained or painted trim in buildings. It tends to sometimes have a greenish tint which affects lighter stains. I have used it in situations were the client wanted a cherry, mahogony or walnut look but didn't want to pay for the wood. It is tight grained and stable. I've never used it outdoors so do not know how it will react to moisture (warpage, expansion, etc.). Buy a piece and play with it with different finishes and water/heat torture.

[Raymo]

Way to soft. See it for paneling here in the west. Will show every nick or bump. I'd save for oak or other hardwood.
Raymo

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I am not familar with aspen. Are you sure it isn't Poplar? Aspen in a very soft wood (see here http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extm.../FNR-273-W.pdf). Poplar is a good wood for heavy stained or painted trim in buildings. It tends to sometimes have a greenish tint which affects lighter stains. I have used it in situations were the client wanted a cherry, mahogony or walnut look but didn't want to pay for the wood. It is tight grained and stable. I've never used it outdoors so do not know how it will react to moisture (warpage, expansion, etc.). Buy a piece and play with it with different finishes and water/heat torture.

Aspen is a lot like poplar. Both are fairly soft, and they have both at my Lowe's. Aspen started showing up in our local hardware stores about 15 years ago when the price of oak and other hardwoods started skyrocketing.

That's a great link, by the way!

[Lextech]

I think Aspen is way too soft. If you accidentally bump your thumb against it, it will leave a thumbnail mark.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by Lextech

I think Aspen is way too soft. If you accidentally bump your thumb against it, it will leave a thumbnail mark.

Yeah, you're right. I was hoping to save some $$, but this is not a good spot to do it...thanks.

[mr48chev]

I'd go a bit further afield and check regular lumber yards for deals on hardwood. You might check with production cabinet shops in the area too. They may have some interesting wood that is left over from a project that they will cut you a deal on if you are open to more choices.

I found something that might interest you http://www.bairdbrothers.com/Lumber-Plywood-C928.aspx Canfield Ohio about 130 for red oak to do a truck bed if you are close enough to them. They ship too and It would cost 99.00 to ship the wood from Ohio to Wa if I ordered it. That is for six 7ft 1x8 red oak boards. That was just for a price and I think a guy needs a different width combination to fit the bed right.

[55metalmonkey]

Since your planning on cutting your own boards, I'd look into a place like this:
http://www.homesteadhardwoods.com/random.html (they are in Ohio)

$3.45 bdft for hard maple is pretty good, if you do a ball park guess for a 7x5 box (adding 20% for waste) 35 sqft x 1" thick thats 35bdft. so fo about $100.00 you could get just about any wood you wanted short of teak and mahogony.
When I do mine I'm using Black Walnut just because my paint colors are likely to be dark......not sure yet though.... wife hasn't told me what I want yet

[Lextech]

Wife hasn't told me what I want yet.

Ha--I like that.

[55metalmonkey]

[DransportGarage]

I bought red oak at American Wood Source, right here in Lebanon, OH. They actually sell to Lowes locally. Didn't save any money over the Lowes price, but the guy claims he will give the order a little TLC. We'll see.

Now it's off to study the Mar-K testing to figure out the best finishing technique. I really want them smooth, glossy, and of course well protected. In the last step (before buffing) I'll probably clear 'em like a fender.