Woods

Question 1

Name 2 types of hardwood

Answer 1

Jelutong and Balsa

Question 2

Name 2 types of softwood

Answer 2

Parana pine and white pine

Question 3

List 2 advantages and disadvantages of using Jelutong

Answer 3

Advantages:
• Works easily with hand and power tools
• Glues, screws and nails easily

Disadvantages:
• Brittle and weak
• Low resistance to decay
• Can’t easily be steam-bent

Question 4

List 2 advantages and disadvantages of using Balsa

Answer 4

Advantages:
• Strong for its weight
• Easy to cut

Disadvantages:
• Low in strength
• soaks up varnishes / finishes

Question 5

List 2 advantages and disadvantages of using Parana Pine

Answer 5

Advantages:
• Strong and durable 
• Smooth Finish 
• Glues easily 
• Hard, straight grain 

Disadvantages:
• Low stiffness, shock resistance and decay resistance
• Can distort if not seasoned properly

Question 6

List 2 advantages and disadvantages of using White Pine

Answer 6

Advantages: 
• Works easily with hand and power tools 
• Holds nails and screws well 
• Carves well 
• Glues and varnishes well 

Disadvantages: 
• Doesn’t turn well 
• needs sealer 
• quite weak 
• Low decay and shock resistance 
• Not good for steam-bending

Question 7

What are the environmental issues of using hardwoods

Answer 7

• 100 years to reach maturity

* Each year an area half the size of UK is cleared of natural forests - animals suffer, people lose jobs/homes/food

Question 8

What are the environmental issues of using softwoods

Answer 8

• Takes around 30 years to mature

Question 9

Where do hardwoods come from

Answer 9

• Africa

* South America

Question 10

Where do softwoods come from

Answer 10

• Cone-bearing trees (conifers)