The Wood Library
Janka hardness ~1,300 lbf Density ~720 kg/m³ Stability Low — moves a lot Workability Good
Hardwoods
Beech
Fagus
Pale, fine-grained and very hard, beech is the dependable workhorse of European furniture — strong, affordable, and excellent for steam-bending into curves.
The facts
Best uses
- Chairs & stools
- Bent / curved parts
- Toys & kitchenware
- Workbenches
Watch out for
Beech is restless — it swells and shrinks more than most woods with humidity, so it needs dry, stable conditions and sound construction.
Engineer's notes
Beech gives you hardwood strength without hardwood prices, which is why so many classic chairs are made from it. Just respect its movement: I keep it for interior pieces in controlled rooms, never somewhere damp or sun-baked.
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