"Tulip wood" as used in internal joinery work is...................?

[difflock]

I must say I was disgusted to find out it is actually Poplar.

Was this always an acceptable practice or have we sunk to a new low?

[Woodworks]

Don't know why it's named Tulipwood but it's been known as that for all the years I have been a furniture maker. I had used it few times before I realised what it actually was Great for internal joinery that's going to be painted but a bit green if left natural.

[skyhuck]

Whats wrong with Poplar??

 

The best Violins are made from Sycamore, hardly a prince among trees.

[Stihlben]

Don't know why it's named Tulipwood but it's been known as that for all the years I have been a furniture maker. I had used it few times before I realised what it actually was Great for internal joinery that's going to be painted but a bit green if left natural.

 

Surely the name tulipwood comes from the tulip like flowers it has in spring?

[Stihlben]

[Goaty]

Americans call Lirodendron tulipifera poplar its not our Poplarlus species. Its a yellow wood and grows slower than our poplar.

[Mike Dempsey]

I hate the stuff. When doing my HND in Furniture Design and Construction we had to hand cut dovetails in the stuff. It crumbled like an oxo cube and is the worst wood to work with for fine cabinet work. The yanks use it by the bucket load and normally paint it. A lot of cabinet makers buy it in this country because it is cheap and light and they use it in place of softwoods because it doesnt warp like our softwoods do.

[Woodworks]

I hate the stuff. When doing my HND in Furniture Design and Construction we had to hand cut dovetails in the stuff. It crumbled like an oxo cube and is the worst wood to work with for fine cabinet work. The yanks use it by the bucket load and normally paint it. A lot of cabinet makers buy it in this country because it is cheap and light and they use it in place of softwoods because it doesnt warp like our softwoods do.

 

Seriously? I have used American tulipwood for all sorts of things and find it a delight to work and very stable.

[difflock]

Ok

I were perhaps being a trifle "snobby" and totally uninformed forby.

The stand had a magnificent Mahogony (but spray painted, sigh) traditional (but double glazed) Sash window, with MDF (and sigh again) shutters on display.

They also had an internal door set.

I asked what it was made of and was told "tulip" wood.

First time I had heard of it. looked blank and was then (incorrectly:001_tt2:) told it was Popular.

I tink he meant Poplar.

In fairness he did say it was dimensionally stable.

But surely as soft as fresh shite?

PS

As always a trifle older and a tad better informed.

Edited February 18, 2013 by difflock