Book with pictures of wood-species?

[Niels J. Larsen]

I don't know if what I'm looking for really exists, so to find out, I thought I'd ask the all-knowing oracles at SMC :D

I'd like to have a book (paper or electronic) with pictures of *all* wood species - ok maybe not *all* but a lot! :)
By pictures I mean photos of a piece of wood that is planed, sanded and maybe even finished.

Why? E.g. when I'm designing something I'd like to have know what species are available that will fit (color, grain etc). Naturally I know some, but it is very limited and apart from running to my woodpusher with a plane and a camera I don't see what I can do :p

So, does it exist and if so - where?

Thanks!

[Brian Peters]

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Wood-Bible-Illustrated-Decorative/dp/1554070333/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233575013&sr=8-2

That's one I have. One of the best I've seen

[Frank Townend]

Niels, While you wait for other answers, this site, geared toward turners, has some nice photographs of several species:

bowls and platters (http://nelsonwood.com/bowls%20and%20platters.htm)

[abram godshall]

i recently picked up a vaccuum veneer press. the guy gave me 3 books of actual veneer samples from a veneer company. with it you actually see real wood; not just pictures.

[Royce Meritt]

I have a copy of "World Woods in Color" by William Lincoln. Not cheap but very good.

[Brian Kerley]

The Wood Book has pictures of tons of species. For each species it shows a picture of flat, rift, and quartersawn grain.

[Alex Shanku]

Niels, while not in book format, this is an excellent resource.

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/

[Rob Young]

On-line so you will be tethered to a PC unless you go take the time to make local copies:

http://woodfinder.com/woods/woodindex.php

and

http://www.woodworkerssource.com/wood_library.php

I've noticed that some of the sample pictures are from the same source at both sites. And depending on your monitor and viewing conditions, colors can look different from one PC to another. But then each piece of wood would be different too... :)

[Richard M. Wolfe]

Alex beat me to it. That website is a very good reference for wood types....and the best at representing the actual color. But different trees of the same species can have completely different looking wood.

[Niels J. Larsen]

Thanks for all your help - SMC always delivers! :)

I've bookmarked the links you've provided and will probably buy a few of the books you've recommended.

Thanks again - and if you have more - keep 'em coming! :D

[Tom Walz]

Second vote for
The Woodbook from Taschen

Think I got mine from Lee Valley

[David Keller NC]

Here's a write-up on the "Woodbook". If you'd rather have samples in hand, Lie-Nielsen sells a box of North American Wood Species samples, as well:

http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/The+Wood+Book+Is+Now+Better+And+Cheaper+.aspx

[Allen Tomaszek]

Another vote for The Woodbook and also for thehobbithouse.

[Michael Gibbons]

Lie-Nielsen has a wood sample box for sale. Kinda expensive but might be worth a look-see.