woodworking plans for furniture

Some woods are very close in color and grain, and can be used to imitate each other. Often the right finish is all that's needed to complete the switch successfully. No one should substitute for deceptive reasons, of course, but there are times when availability and economy can be valid determining factors for replacing one wood with another.

Remember, though, that wood is like fingerprints - no single species is exactly like another in all

respects. Red oak can imitate white oak in furniture, for instance, but you wouldn't build a boat with it because it's not watertight. Before you embark on a substitute wood project, check with a knowledgeable hardwood salesperson to see whether or not the intended use is advisable.

The chart shown lists some examples of wood look-alikes that are commonly available at retail hardwood stores or through mailorder outlets. But if you want to substitute an exotic such as oolemeriballi for mutsekamambole, even the world's largest exotic wood importer may be unable to fill the order, and will probably send you back to your drawing board.