Quartersawn

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Quarter sawing. (Discuss) Proposed since September 2009.

quarter sawn surface, showing ray fleck (modest in this case)

In speaking of wood, the term quartermortersawn (also: quarter sawn, quarter-sawn) is properly used for wood that is cut exactly radially (towards the heart of the log), or to put it differently, at right angles to the growth rings. Wood cut in this way is prized for certain applications, but it will tend to be more expensive as well. In cutting a log, quarter sawn boards can be produced in several ways, but if a log is cut for maximum yield it will produce only a few quarter sawn boards among the total; if a log is cut to produce only quarter sawn boards (termed quarter sawing) there will be considerable waste.

There are two main reasons to prefer quarter sawn boards:

1. greater stability of form and size (less warping; and shrinkage is less troublesome)
2. for decorative effect: this will only be the case for a limited number of woods. Quarter sawn oak shows a prominent ray fleck. Quarter sawn sapele is likely to produce a ribbon figure.

Thus, quarter sawn wood is especially important in making furniture and for decorative panelling. Quarter sawn oak was a key feature of the decorative style of the American Arts and Crafts movement, particularly the work of Gustav Stickley. Sometimes, the cheaper ash was stained to resemble oak, but it doesn't show this ray flake.

On high-end electric guitars and bass guitars quartersawn wood is often used as the base material for the neck of the guitar, since this makes for a stronger and straighter neck which aids tuning and setup stability.

In acoustic guitars, quartersawn wood is often used, especially for the sides which must be steam bent to produce compound curves. This is partly for structural reasons, but also for the aesthetics of highly figured maples being highlighted when sawn this way.

The process indicated in the US as "quarter sawing" yields a few boards that are quartersawn, but mostly riftsawn boards.

Further reading

• Hoadley, Bruce. Understanding Wood. Taunton. ISBN 1-56158-358-8. 

External links

• quartersawn and quarter sawing This link offers both an accurate picture of a quartersawn orientation and a method of sawing process that produces mostly riftsawn boards: and only a few actual quartersawn boards.