WOODNSHOP Spanish Cedar/Boards Lumber 1/8 X 10 X 24 Surface 4 Sides 24" by WOODNSHOP

Why I tried this Spanish cedar board

I reached for a Spanish cedar board from WOODNSHOP for a small box build and some drawer side stock where I wanted light weight, a pleasant aroma, and easy machining without wrestling with rough lumber. The listing promised surfaced-four-sides (S4S) material, kiln-dried, with a range of thicknesses and widths. I went with the 1/8-by-10-by-24 inch option to get thin, ready-to-use stock without having to resaw and plane delicate pieces.

What arrived and first impressions

The board came well packaged, flat enough out of the box for 1/8-inch material, and sanded to a clean S4S surface. Moisture content checked low and even with a handheld meter, consistent with good kiln drying. The aroma—one of the reasons many of us choose Spanish cedar—was there without being overpowering. Color ran in the expected spectrum: a warm, pinkish red-brown with subtle ribbon grain.

Dimensional accuracy was close to spec, with the expected caveat the seller notes: length and width can vary by about 1/4 inch. My piece was within that tolerance. Thickness was consistent end-to-end, which matters at 1/8 inch because you don’t have much material to flatten if there’s a hump or twist.

One surprise: my 10-inch-wide board wasn’t a single plank; it was an edge-glued panel composed of two narrower pieces. The glue line was sound and the panel was structurally fine, but the two halves differed slightly in color and grain, making the seam visible. If you’re planning a show face where a continuous grain read matters, that’s a real consideration. If you’re cutting the panel down into smaller parts, it’s a non-issue.

Working properties

Spanish cedar is forgiving, and this board behaved the way I expect the species to behave.

• Cutting and shaping: Hand tools and power tools both produced clean edges. A sharp low-angle block plane left a crisp surface, though I did get a touch of fuzzy grain in a few spots where the grain interlocked—nothing a light sanding couldn’t fix. On the router table, a climb cut at the end grain of a rebate eliminated tear-out.

• Sanding: Sands fast. I progressed 150/180/220, and the surface was ready for finish. Because the board arrived S4S, there weren’t mill marks to chase, which is a plus on thin stock.

• Gluing and joinery: PVA glue-ups were uneventful. Spanish cedar takes glue very well, and clamping pressure was minimal to get tight joints. For mechanical fasteners, predrill—especially in 1/8-inch stock—to avoid splitting.

• Stability: I acclimated the board in the shop for 48 hours. It stayed flat, which I attribute to proper kiln drying and a well-executed glue-up. Thin material moves with humidity swings; this piece behaved predictably.

If you’re used to Western red cedar, Spanish cedar is denser and more refined under the tool. It’s still relatively soft compared to most cabinet hardwoods, so protect work surfaces to avoid dents.

Finish and odor

Spanish cedar takes finishes readily. I tried two common approaches:

• Shellac: A 1.5-pound cut of dewaxed shellac yielded a warm glow and sealed in the aroma enough to keep it pleasant, not heady. This is my go-to for small boxes or drawer sides.

• Oil/varnish blend: It deepened the color but also brought out a bit more of the cedar’s natural oils on the surface during the first coat. Wipe thoroughly and allow longer cure times between coats to avoid tackiness.

The aroma is a feature for humidors and closets; for kitchen use or enclosed casework, consider sealing with shellac to control it. As with many aromatic woods, dust can be irritating—use extraction and a mask.

Dimensional promise versus reality

The listing is straightforward about length and width tolerances of ±1/4 inch, which is reasonable for pre-cut S4S panels. There’s no mention of thickness tolerance, but my board was very consistent, a pleasant surprise at 1/8 inch.

Where I think buyers need more clarity is whether a given width is supplied as a single plank or an edge-glued panel. Spanish cedar in 10- to 12-inch single widths is available, but not ubiquitous. In my case, a two-piece glue-up made sense from a supply standpoint, but it matters for project planning. If you need a continuous grain face, ask the seller to confirm single-plank stock before you buy or be prepared to veneer or bookmatch for appearance.

Use cases this board suits

• Small boxes, drawer sides, and dividers: The light weight and easy machining are ideal, especially at 1/8-inch thickness.
• Humidor components: The aroma and moisture behavior make Spanish cedar the traditional choice. For visible surfaces, hand-selecting stock is best; for interior linings, this S4S board is convenient.
• Shop jigs and templates: Thin, stable, and easy to shape.
• Glue-ups for wider panels: The board glues predictably if you need to create a larger surface.

I wouldn’t use this particular board as a single-piece show panel without planning around the glue line. For exterior trim or wet environments, Spanish cedar can perform well, but finishing matters. This S4S stock is a good starting point, not a weather-ready part.

Buying S4S online versus at a yard

The appeal here is convenience: you get kiln-dried, surfaced material to project-ready dimensions without milling. For thin stock especially, avoiding resaw and thickness sanding saves time and reduces scrap. The trade-off is you can’t select boards in person, and surprises like multi-piece glue-ups or color variance become your problem to solve. If absolute appearance matching is critical, a lumberyard visit is still the safer route.

Packaging was sufficient; thin boards are prone to shipping damage, but mine arrived without dings or edge crush. That said, the 1/8-inch thickness demands gentle handling once you unwrap it.

Tips to get good results

• Acclimate the board for a day or two to your shop before cutting.
• If you need a show face, plan to cut away from any glue line or use that seam as a design element (e.g., a centerline).
• Use sharp cutters; Spanish cedar can fuzz with dull knives.
• Seal with shellac if you want to moderate the aroma or prep for other finishes.
• For 1/8-inch work, use backers and zero-clearance inserts to prevent blowout.

The bottom line

As a piece of workable Spanish cedar, this board checks most of the practical boxes: kiln-dried, S4S, dimensionally consistent, and pleasant to machine and finish. For small parts and interior components, it’s a time-saver that behaves predictably. My main reservation is transparency on how wider widths are supplied. Receiving a two-piece glue-up with a visible color shift won’t bother everyone, but it can make or break a project where uninterrupted grain matters.

Recommendation: Conditional. I recommend this board for builders who need convenient, thin Spanish cedar stock for parts that will be cut down or for interior components where a glue line won’t show. I don’t recommend it if you require a single-piece, show-grade panel at full width; in that case, either confirm single-plank availability with the seller before ordering or buy in person so you can select matching stock.