Poplar as substitute for BB?

[Fremmed]

I've done a couple of portraits with Poplar instead of BB. Seemed to cut easily, and it felt solid. I just did it on a whim and it seemed to work out as an alternative to seeing the layers in plywood.
Any down sides or feedback?

[minowevie]

Kevin, I am thinking of doing the same thing, with poplar, it realy is a pretty wood. love the grean and grey colors it has. I know Trout does some nice things out of it. so I thought I would try it too. I can't get BB planks hear. so. that was my thought also. Say. you try it first, and I will follow. ARK ARK. your friend Evie

OH Edit. I see you have. ok neibor, pictures.

[Fremmed]

Hey Evie..
Didn't take pics of the portrait, but the wood from Finish first or Glue?
is 1/4" poplar for the name and 3/4" poplar for the frame.

[minowevie]

I remmber that, that does look nice. I think I will give it a try. thanks, your friend Evie

[Rolf]

Are you talking about solid poplar or poplar plywood? If solid how thick?

[sawdustus]

Fremmed, I have used both poplar plywood and solid plywood.
The 1/4" 5 ply was used for Carter type puzzles. It cut easily and the pieces fit tightly. I got it from Wildwood and it had no voids that I noticed.
I used 5/4 and 3/4 solid poplar, bought at the BORG, for several of the standup dinosaur puzzles that I cut for my granddaughter and her pre-school class. The pronounced grain and color variations are very useful for this type of project but I am not sure that green would look too good on a face in a portrait. I have found a lot of hardness variation between cross and rip grain directions and between late and early wood that makes cutting solid poplar somewhat of a challange.
Hope this is helpful.
George

[Fremmed]

Hi Rolf.
Sorry I wasn't clear. I was refering to solid poplar.
George. You are right about the colors. With the green and gray coloring, it was a little harder picking the right piece of wood. I didn't notice any grain problem, that was one of the reasons for thinking of using it as an alternative to the BB.

[Janette]

Originally Posted by Fremmed

I was refering to solid poplar.
George. You are right about the colors. With the green and gray coloring, it was a little harder picking the right piece of wood.

Isn't picking woods out 1/2 the fun!? I use a lot of poplar and think it's a very underutilized wood. I'm not sure about the 1/4" stuff since I haven't used it. Poplar has interesting colors that's for sure. I've seen purples, browns, greens in all shapes and sizes, interesting figuring, "bird's eyes", and it makes a great "white" too! Nice to cut - hard but not too, soft but not too. All in all - a darn good well rounded wood if you ask me!

[david804]

Have used Poplar many times. If you can find White Poplar in your area it doesn't have as many colors for portraits. I usually use Ash but if you use the area around knots like I do you have a very hard area to cut. ( burns blades) . Clear Ash with straight grain works well on portraits. The knotty area's do give very interesting character to some works. That is why I try to utilize them.

[Jediscroller]

I can't comment on poplar for portraits though I do use it quite a bit for drawer insides and puzzles. I've had great luck with mahogany, walnut, ash, maple and osage orange for portraits. All of these woods seem to hold up quite well with delicate cuts.