is cedar any good for a table top???

[andychip38]

hi all i've been reading these forums for about 6 months and am amazed by the quality and knowledge of the members .
i'm making a small bedside table with maple sides but want a contrast for the top .i have had a 4"x10" lenth of cedar for about 8 years and wanted to know if it will be ok for the top when riped through :?:

 

[dedee]

Welcome to the forum Andy,

The only cedar I've worked with was Western Red Cedar and it was so soft that I could push my fingernail into it without trying. I would certainly not want a table top made from such a soft wood.
Perhaps there are other types of harder cedar?

Cheers

Andy

 

[Bodrighy]

I have used Cedar for turning and it behaved more like a hard wood. Haven't got a clue what type of Cedar it was.

Come to think of it I think I got in a log from DaveJester. Perhaps he can tell you what type it was. Definitely pine, smells lovely but pretty tough wood.

Pete

 

[Rich]

Hi Andy, I have never worked cedar before but I do know the waterways authorities use it to make lock gates on the canals so it must be pretty tough gear.
regards,
Rich.

 

[LyNx]

If it's Western Red then it's far too soft for a table top, unless you want the dented look.

We used it for our garden table and benches. Jean poppers has left scratches all over and the top is dented from the meals we've used it for.

 

[head clansman]

hi andychip38

simply put no , it traditional an exterior wood use for cladding fencing etc
as other said it very soft but for exterior use its very durable

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, I've used it for turning. It looks lovely but is far too soft. I wouldn't make a table from it.

Dave

 

[andychip38]

hi thanks everyone it looks like ive got to get my wallet out and buy some walnut