16th Feb 2024

Materials and finishes

Because making the right decisions about materials and finishes is critical to achieving the best results for your projects, we have written this short guide for you. Please feel free to call us if the materials and finishes that you want do not appear in this article.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a relative newcomer to the world of CNC cut wood fabrication and metal work engineering, understanding the nuances that different woods and metals can bring to your project is important. This is because they can significantly impact the quality, aesthetics, and functionality of your end product.

Choosing the right wood for your project

Wood is a timeless material, we all prize wood’s warmth, beauty, and versatility. However, not all woods are created equal! Selecting the right one for your CNC project requires careful consideration.

Oak: Known for its strength and durability, oak is a popular choice for furniture, cabinetry, and architectural elements. Due to its prominent grain pattern it adds character to any project, making it ideal for rustic or traditional designs.

Maple: is light in colour with a fine grain. We value it for its stability and workability, and it’s commonly used in furniture. Other manufacturers use Maple for flooring, and musical instruments, due to its smooth surface and ability to take stains and finishes evenly – Dymond don’t make musical instruments though!

Walnut: admired for its rich, dark hues and distinctive grain patterns, walnut exudes elegance and sophistication. We often use Walnut in high-end furniture, decorative accents. It adds a touch of luxury to high end interiors.

Birch: favoured for its light colour and smooth texture, birch is a versatile wood suitable for a wide range of applications. Many choose birch for cabinetry, millwork, and plywood production as it offers excellent stability and machinability.

However, there are alternatives to wood which also have a very valid place in this list!

Plywood: A strong and stable engineered wood product, plywood is made from layers of wood veneer glued together. It comes in various grades which makes it suitable for furniture, cabinetry, and structural applications. Plywood machines easily and accepts a variety of finishes.

MDF: MDF is a dense and uniform engineered wood product made from wood fibres bonded with resin. It offers a smooth surface, ideal for painting, veneering, and laminating. MDF is commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications.

Each of the above materials and finishes has its own unique characteristics, ranging from grain pattern and colour to hardness and durability. Consider the aesthetic preferences, project requirements, and budget constraints when selecting the right wood for your CNC project.

And so, onto metals!

In addition to wood, metal materials each have their own set of properties and applications.

Aluminium: many prize it for its lightweight yet sturdy properties. Aluminium is a versatile and engineers use it in aerospace, automotive, and architectural applications. We know it for its excellent machinability, corrosion resistance, and ability to take various finishes.

Stainless Steel: renowned for its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, stainless steel is a popular choice for industrial, marine, and medical applications. It’s available in various grades and finishes, making it suitable for both functional and decorative purposes. This is the metal that we use most frequently.

Brass: valued for its distinct golden hue and malleability, brass is often used in decorative hardware, musical instruments, and precision components. Manufacturers can offer polished mirror like surfaces on brass, which makes it excellent to machine – another metal with a luxurious appearance.

Copper: admired for its reddish-brown colour and thermal conductivity, copper is utilised in electrical, plumbing, and architectural applications. As it develops a natural patina over time, it adds character and charm to any project.

Each metal material offers unique advantages in terms of strength, conductivity, and aesthetics. Consider the specific requirements of your project, such as structural integrity, corrosion resistance, and surface finish when choosing the metal for your project.

Enhancing the beauty and durability of your wood projects

Understanding the end use conditions of your product will guide you to the right finish. Using the right finish is essential to protect and enhance the appearance of the wood and keep the finished product in top condition to help to prolong its life span.

Stains: penetrate the wood fibres to enhance grain patterns and add colour to the surface. They’re available in a wide range of hues. We use anything from light natural tones to rich, dark shades, allowing you to customise the appearance of your wood projects.

Varnishes: form a protective layer on the wood surface, and so provide durability and moisture resistance. They come in various sheens, including matte, satin, and gloss, offering flexibility in achieving the desired level of shine and reflectivity.

Oils: penetrate the wood pores to nourish deeply and so protect the surface, enhancing its natural beauty and depth. They’re available in different formulations, such as tung oil, linseed oil, and Danish oil, each offering unique benefits in terms of ease of application and drying time.

Lacquers: create a smooth, durable finish on wood and metal surfaces, offering excellent scratch and abrasion resistance. They’re available in solvent-based and water-based formulations which makes for an easy of application.

Metal finishing

EPC: at Dymond we tend to use EPC to protect and finish our metal products – but you can see a wide range of our finishes here.

Dymond is here to help you bring your ideas to life. We will help you to choose the right materials and finishes with precision, passion, and professionalism. We do not work with all of the above metals, but felt that the guide needed to be complete and we can always point you in the right direction!