ment consist of drinking water and if there is further discomfort seek medical attention. If eye contact occurs, irritation as well as redness and watering may happen so it is recommended to wear glasses while working. If dust from softwood is inhaled, irritation to the nose, lungs, and throat is possible but not common. A dust mask is always recommended when wood dust is present. Softwood should be stored in a well-ventilated area away from heat, flame, and sparks. Dust from softwood can form an explosive mixture with air, so keep away from sources of ignition. HARDWOODTimber when viewed under a microscope has two main structures. Hardwoods typically characterised by large, tubelike vessels or pores. Hardwood does not necessarily mean it is hard as one of the softest timbers , balsa wood is a hardwood. The tubelike vessels in hardwood are intertwined making the timber much stronger in relation to is weight compared to softwoods. Some of the well know hardwoods are eucalypts, oaks, ashes, red cedars, and hickory. Jarrah, Spotted Gum and Tasmanian are commonly available across Australia although Outdoor Furniture manufacturers corner the market with Jarrah supplies. Spotted gum and Tasmanian Oak are readily purchased from local Yeppoon Hardwares.SOFTWOODSoftwoods or non-pored woods have a simpler and more uniform cell structure than hardwoods and under a microscope present similar to brick work.. This is due to the fact that softwood is bulkily made up of long, thin cells called tracheids.. These cells provide mechanical support but it should be noted that softwoods generally have much less strength in relation to their weight when compared to hardwoods. Some types of softwoods include western red cedar, cypress, and radiata pine and can usually be purchased at local hardwares. HARDWOODThe use of an increasing number of natural hardwoods by the timber industries has revealed that some timber characteristics, such as h...
