Materials
Bit by Bit has access to materials not readily at-hand to most craftsmen. While not every wood or sub-species is available at all times, our ability to source local and exotic woods is exemplary. The following is a partial list of materials we commonly have available, with sample images available when you hover your mouse over their name. We have so many veneers available, they needed their own page!
Common Woods
Some of these woods are available at better lumberyards. Unless otherwise specified, these woods are not kiln-dried and may only be suitable for external applications.
They are generally the least expensive materials although specialty cuts (quartersawn,...), figures (quilted, birdseye,..) and conditions (spalting,...) may increase both beauty and price.
- Alder
Alder - Ash
Ash - Birch, Red/Sweet
Birch, Red/Sweet - Birch, Yellow
Birch, Yellow - Birch, White
Birch, White - Cedar
Cedar - Cherry, Black
Cherry, Black - Fir
Fir - Hickory
Hickory - Maple, Birdseye
Maple, Birdseye - Maple, Figured
Maple, Figured - Maple, Hard
Maple, Hard - Maple, Soft
Maple, Soft - Maple, Spalted
Maple, Spalted - Oak, Red
Oak, Red - Oak, White
Oak, White - Oak, Rift-Sawn
Oak, Rift-Sawn - Pine, Southern Yellow
Pine, Southern-Yellow - Pine, White
Pine, White - Poplar
Poplar - Spruce, Black
Spruce, Black - Spruce, Blue
Spruce, Blue
Exotic Woods
These are the jewels of the wood-worker's trade with unique colors, cuts and dimensions. Many are available cheaply, especially when compared to the beauty they lend to your project.
- Basswood
Basswood - Bloodwood
Bloodwood - Bocote
Bocote - Bubinga
Bubinga - Canary Wood
Canary Wood - Cherry
Cherry - Cherry, Brazilian
Cherry, Brazilian - Cocobolo
Cocobolo - Cypress
Cypress - Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus - Goncalo Alves
Goncalo Alves - Grandis
Grandis - Lacewood
Lacewood - Mahogany, African
Mahogany, African - Mahogany, Genuine
Mahogany, Genuine - Mahogany, Philippine
Mahogany, Philippine - Narra
Narra - Padauk
Padauk - Purple Heart
Purple Heart - Roasted Hardwood
Roasted Hardwood - Rosewood, Bolivian
Rosewood, Bolivian - Sapele
Sapele - Teak
Teak - Walnut, Black
Walnut, Black - Walnut, Peruvian
Walnut, Peruvian - Wenge
Wenge - Yellow Heart
Yellow Heart - Zebrawood
Zebrawood
Plastics & Other
Machining engineered and man-made materials such as plastic, acrylic and medium density fiberboard (MDF) requires different tooling and methods than used with most woods. Many of the same carving options are available within the limits of the material, and Bit by Bit can discuss these changes with you. Your options include:
- Acrylics
Acrylic - Extira® Exterior MDF
Extira - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE - Fiberboard (MDF, TruPan)
MDF - Plastics
Plastics - Plywood
Plywood - Sign Foams
Sign Foams - Veneers
Veneers (click here for samples)
Metals
Metals are not generally carved, but rather are machined or engraved due to their hardness. Bit by Bit focuses on carving and engraving soft materials but we can employ hardened materials in your design. We can also engrave and shape softer metals for your project. Your options include:
- Aluminum
Aluminum - Brass
Brass - Bronze
Bronze - Copper
Copper - Gold
Gold - Nickel
Nickel - Platinum
Platinum - Silver
Silver - Steel
Steel - Tin
Tin - Zinc
Zinc
Materials Services
In addition to sourcing exotic materials, Bit by Bit also provides Seasoning Services. If the wood you want for your project is not readily available kiln-dried, air-dried or otherwise seasoned to your requirements, Bit by Bit will procure the wood and season it for you. We have ample outdoor and covered storage space to naturally season your materials, or kiln-drying is available if time is of the essence.
Did You Know?
Spalting is the name given to wood coloration caused by one or more fungi.
Fungi often cannot colonize wood alone and must establish itself by cooperating with another fungus. While most will destroy the structure of a tree over time, if the wood is harvested while still alive their natural processes can lend tremendous character before any damage is done.
Spalting occurs in four major types, three of which are considered attractive:
- Pigmentation
- White Rot
- Brown Rot (unattractive)
- Zone Lines
The Spalted Pecan featured above, and the sample "Maple, Spalted" to the left are both excellent examples of Zone Line spalting, which occurs when two different fungi meet and erect protective defenses against one another.
