Poplar - Rubbish timber, what uses have you found for it ?

[Losos]

Yes, I know none of you perfectionists would ever use it :wink: but I have been given a dozen large packing crates. Some 3/4" planks (3" & 4" X 4 foot) and 1" or 1&1/2" square same lengths. A fair amount of timber for free. It is creamy white, no grain whatsoever, wet, soft, so must be Poplar ('tho my book suggest possibly Sitka Spruce but has come from Spain so I'm thinking it's Poplar)

Have a few outdoor projects in mind, what sort of preservative would you use ? Any ideas welcome

 

[adidat]

Poplar or tulipwood is usually moot green or purple times with a mapleish grain. It's used for kitchens and stuff to be painted usually.

Adidat

 

[RobinBHM]

poplar is the common name for tulipwood and comes from the US

 

[Steve Maskery]

It's also called Canary Whitewood. It's soft, easy to work, finishes well, takes a stain very evenly. Any black streaks or green cast disappears in sunlight and very quickly, too. I wouldn't use it outside.

 

[Brian18741]

The poplar I've used has always had a slight green tinge to it. It's an excellent wood for trim pieces and face frames to be painted. Machines very well and takes finish brilliantly.

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[Droogs]

I would use it to make the internal framing for large cabinets etc ore as drawer sides/backs for utility pieces like sideboards.

 

[custard]

It is creamy white, no grain whatsoever, wet, soft, so must be Poplar

possibly Sitka Spruce

Have a few outdoor projects in mindAny ideas welcome

Neither Sitka Spruce nor Poplar are particularly durable, they're both a poor choice for outdoor projects (unless painted and kept off the ground).

They're not particularly expensive but neither are they as dirt cheap as stuff like Alder, Birch, or Horse Chestnut (all of which could fit your description). Bottom line, it would be a fancy and unusual packing case that used either Sitka Spruce or Poplar, so I'd reconsider what it might be.

Whatever it is, it's unlikely to be durable enough for serious outdoor use. Durability in timber is a fairly expensive property, so durable timbers are rarely used used for packing cases.

 

[Losos]

Thanks guys, interesting comments.

so I'd reconsider what it might be.

Yes, I'll be doing that Several mentions of a 'greenish tinge' which I can't see (Maybe I need a new pair of specs :lol: )

Our village has been asking for materials for next months 'Bon Fire Night' but I think I can find a use for it other than burning :lol:

I'll try to avoid outdoors applications and, for now, I think I'll just stack it under cover, and let it dry a bit, plenty of other things to be doing.

Thanks again to all above for your thoughts.

 

[worn thumbs]

I have used both poplar and American Tulip Poplar.The European stuff was a 2metre X1 metre pallet I was given and it was OK for making laminating formers.The American Tulip Poplar was supplied by a local hardwood specialist when I asked for gelutong as they thought it was quite similar.It wasn't as it was a lot more stringy and not as easy to carve.As has been said-it has some uses and is the most widely cultivated hardwood in North America.

 

[dickm]

Remember someone saying, or possibly I've read, that poplar used to be the timber of choice for the beds of lorries. I have a trailer whose bed is certainly something bland, stringy and slightly soft which could be poplar.

 

[Tetsuaiga]

I quite like Poplar myself. I imagine its quite good for carving as it seems pretty similar to Lime.

 

[Losos]

when I asked for gelutong as they thought it was quite similar. It wasn't

:lol: :lol: :lol: Yes but they had poplar in stock and didn't have Gelutong :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Losos]

I quite like Poplar myself. I imagine its quite good for carving as it seems pretty similar to Lime.

I don't do carving but it is soft so would seem to be ideal for that.

 

[Losos]

It's soft, easy to work, finishes well, takes a stain very evenly. Any black streaks or green cast disappears in sunlight and very quickly, too. I wouldn't use it outside.

Thanks Steve, so general opinion says don't use outdoors. so I won't Need an offcut bin (on wheels) so that will likely be the first use for it. There's quite a lot so other things will be made in due course.

Once again, appreciate all your thoughts.