Rabbet
A rectangular recess cut into the edge of a board, creating a step or L-shaped profile. Used in cabinet joinery and case construction.
Read the definitionGeneral
Treatability
Treatability describes how easily a wood species (usually its sapwood, and sometimes its heartwood) can be impregnated with preservative treatments. Low-treatability woods resist chemical penetration, which affects how suitable they are for exterior use when relying on treatment rather than natural durability.
Read the definitionRelative humidity (RH)
Relative humidity (RH) is the percentage of water vapour in the air compared with the maximum the air could hold at the same temperature. RH strongly controls wood’s equilibrium moisture content (EMC), and therefore moisture content and movement.
Read the definitionTry square
A precision measuring and marking tool with a fixed 90° angle between the blade and the stock, used for checking squareness and marking cross-grain lines.
Read the definitionRough milling
Rough milling is the process of machining wood slightly oversize (in thickness/width) and then letting it rest so stresses can redistribute and moisture can equalise before final milling to finished dimensions.
Read the definitionTwisting
Twisting is a type of warp where a board’s corners lift in different directions so the board becomes a ‘propeller’ shape. It often relates to spiral grain or uneven shrinkage and stress release during drying.
Read the definitionRough sawn
Lumber that has been sawn to size but not been surfaced or planed, retaining the rough texture from the saw.
Read the definitionVolumetric shrinkage
Volumetric shrinkage is the total percentage volume change of wood from green to oven-dry. It provides a broad indicator of overall stability and drying difficulty, but does not replace directional (tangential/radial) data for design decisions.
Read the definitionRouting
Machining decorative profiles, grooves, or shaped edges using a router with a cutting bit. Common for mouldings, dados, and custom edges.
Read the definitionWaney edge
A waney edge is a board edge that still has bark or the rounded outer surface of the log (wane), rather than a fully squared edge. It can reduce usable width and may be unacceptable in some grades, but can be a deliberate feature in “live edge” work.
Read the definitionMicroclimate
A microclimate is a local zone where temperature and humidity differ from the surrounding space (e.g., near radiators, exterior walls, inside cabinets). In woodwork, microclimates can cause uneven moisture exchange and lead to cupping or distortion.
Read the definitionS2S
Surfaced Two Sides — lumber that has been planed on the two broad faces but left rough on the edges.
Read the definitionStuck on something?
Ask Shane
I don’t sell timber, but I’ll help you work out what you actually need and where to find it.