Introduction

In this article, we will be exploring the strength and durability of different types of wood by subjecting them to a series of tests. The Waterjet Channel on YouTube conducts experiments to determine the hardness, cutability, sanding capabilities, and burn resistance of various woods. By evaluating the performance of these woods, we can gain a better understanding of their unique characteristics and applications in different industries.

The Janka Hardness Test Explained

The Waterjet Channel starts the experimental process by conducting the Janka hardness test. This test measures the force required to push a steel ball into the wood. Surprisingly, the test does not deal with stacking or removing wood, but rather showcasing their strength. The softer the wood, the lower the force required to penetrate the material. Balsa wood, known as the world’s softest wood, requires only 298 newtons of force. In contrast, yarn wood, recognized as the hardest wood, demands a substantial 19,892 newtons to leave an impression. With these values, it becomes clear that the yarn wood is significantly harder than any other wood, including balsa.

However, it is worth mentioning that another wood called wadi wood surpasses both balsa and yarn wood in terms of hardness. Nevertheless, balsa and yarn wood are the focus of this experiment due to their unique characteristics and amusing names.

Cutting Capabilities and Depth

To determine the cutability of these woods, the Waterjet Channel tests the waters by adjusting the waterjet’s settings. By reducing the pressure and turning off the abrasive garnet, they aim to achieve a minimal cutting depth with the balsa wood. This serves as the baseline for comparing the performance of the other woods. Unfortunately, the results do not yield a significant disparity in depth among the tested woods. The pine, walnut, stabilized maple, and yarn wood all share similar cutting depths, indicating that the softness of balsa makes it an inadequate benchmark for comparison.

As a result, the Waterjet Channel decides to evaluate the other woods against pine instead. Pine serves as a more suitable comparison due to its moderate hardness and prevalence in woodworking.

The Sanding Test

In addition to cutting capabilities, the channel conducts a sanding test to assess how well the different woods can be sanded down. They measure the amount of wood removed in five seconds of sanding, aiming to provide a scientific approach to evaluating the sanding capabilities of each wood.

The results show that all woods are capable of being sanded down, with varying degrees of success. However, it is important to note that aggressive sanding can lead to burn marks on the wood’s surface. This indicates that careful consideration should be given to the sanding technique and pressure applied to achieve the desired result.

Burn Resistance Test

To determine the burn resistance of the tested woods, the Waterjet Channel decides to use a torch. The woods are subjected to a five-second torching, and the results are observed. Surprisingly, all the woods exhibit a similar level of resistance to burning, with minimal differences. The balsa wood appears to be the most affected, leaving charred marks where it was exposed to the flame. On the other hand, the yarn wood exhibits relatively minimal burn marks, suggesting that its hardness and structure provide some level of resistance to fire.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Waterjet Channel’s experiment reveals several intriguing observations about the strength and performance of different types of wood. It is clear that balsa, despite being the world’s softest wood, is not an ideal benchmark for comparing other woods. The yarn wood, known for its incredible hardness, outperforms many other woods in terms of cutability and resistance to fire. However, it is essential to consider each wood’s unique characteristics when choosing the right material for specific applications.

Woodworking enthusiasts, craftsmen, and professionals can benefit from this experiment by gaining a deeper understanding of wood’s properties and making informed decisions when selecting the most suitable wood for their projects.