Sugar Pine
Pinus lambertiana
Hardness
Very soft, dents easily; great for carving, poor for floors.
Overview
The premier pattern and carving pine, soft, fine, exceptionally stable, and uniform in all directions. The wood of choice for foundry patterns and detailed work.
Commonly built
- Foundry patterns
- Carvings
- Models
- Millwork
Appearance
Pale creamy white to light brown, very fine and even, with characteristic tiny brown resin specks and a subtle straight grain.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Soft, light, and works beautifully in any direction with minimal tearout. Outstanding dimensional stability, the reason it's used for patterns and models. Glues and finishes well. Holds detail.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn sugar pine panel moves roughly 0.30 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Sugar Pine move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Sugar Pine?
Sugar Pine has a Janka hardness of 380 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Sugar Pine suitable for outdoor use?
Sugar Pine is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Sugar Pine to work with?
Sugar Pine has Excellent workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Sugar Pine move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn sugar pine panel moves roughly 0.30 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Softer and more even-grained than yellow pines, so it blotches less, but a conditioner before pigment stain still helps. Takes paint and clear finishes well. Seal any resin pockets with shellac before finishing.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used sugar pine, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.