what to do with soft maple

[clark green]

I have a very nice soft maple log to saw into boards, but I don't know what I can use the wood for. The log measures 3 ft. x 10 ft. Any advice?:confused:

[Jay Knepper]

I've had good experience with using soft maple. It can be quite beautiful, but its appearance and hardness are all over the place. Apparently a number of maple varieties qualify as "soft" maple.

I've attached a shot of a table made of soft maple.

[lou sansone]

well if it curly, then you can make all types of cute things like this

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=23652

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=18743

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=22469

have fun and best wishes
lou

[clark green]

thanks for the info. looks like I'm going to have to call my sawyer. I actually have more than one log to cut, and my wife loves the look of your projects, so I'm looking forward to making some soft maple projects. again thanks, and God bless. Clark

[Alan Simpson]

I think it's a much better alternative to poplar as a paint grade wood. It's quite a bit harder and takes paint very well. All the painted cabinets I sell are soft maple.

[clark green]

thanks Alan. One of the things I do as a woodworker is try to use only wood that I've harvested, but I've never found any Poplar, which I do like for secondary wood, for drawers etc. It's good to know at least I could use some of this maple instead of poplar. Clark