Best solid hardwood edge-glued panels for woodworking

Start here: the Red Oak edge-glued board. It's the only pick that's real solid red oak in a long, furniture-ready length — the right call for tabletops, shelves and casework where you want one continuous panel instead of a glue-up of your own.

Who the others suit:

• Allwood birch project panel — thick and square, ideal for small tabletops, jigs and cutting boards.
• Edge-glued hardwood panel (1" x 12" x 16") — a handy mid-size blank for boxes, drawers and small builds.
• Foggy Bottom oak, cherry and basswood 3-packs — small panels for cutting boards, signs and test pieces; cherry if you want a warmer tone, basswood for carving.
• Round pine board — round blanks for stools and lazy Susans.

Check thickness and whether the panel is unfinished before you finish it.