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Author Topic: What kind of wood should I use?  (Read 1625 times)

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Speo

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What kind of wood should I use?
« on: October 31, 2005, 07:34:34 PM »
Hello,


I want to build 2 sets of blades(4 feet diameter and 7-8 feet diameter) and I have to choose from:



  1. maple
  2. oak
  3. cherry
  4. poplar
  5. pine
  6. spruce
  7. cedar


Which ones from this list are the best and which ones should I avoid?


Thanks a lot,


speo

« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 07:34:34 PM by (unknown) »
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Shadow

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2005, 01:36:09 PM »
I'd pick door # 7. Light,very easy to carve, fairly weather resistant, can be very strong if laminated, fairly inexpensive.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 01:36:09 PM by Shadow »
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whatsnext

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2005, 03:03:59 PM »
I would also pick door number 6. Spruce is easy to work and very tough.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 03:03:59 PM by whatsnext »
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Cinosh07

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2005, 08:25:51 PM »
I'll chose Cedar for one main reason: It don't root.

I've finished my blades with a very smooth finish. I've paint it with 3 coat of

very glossy rust paint.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 08:25:51 PM by Cinosh07 »
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Speo

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2005, 08:41:37 PM »
Thanks a lot guys, I'll try both spruce and cedar.


Speo

« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 08:41:37 PM by Speo »
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Shadow

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2005, 09:05:54 PM »
If you use spruce (or any wood)make sure it is dry. I made the mistake of using spruce that was stored outside, I thought it was dry only to find when all three blades were finished one warped and cracked. By using Cedar, here anyways its all stored inside. I used 2 by 6 inch then cut those length-wise into 3 pieces,then turned them on their sides and glued them back together. I actually glued 4 strips together to make approx 2 by 8, 70 inches long. When finished my blades were 3 inch tips 8 inch root.I made two sets of spruce and one of Cedar so far. I'll probably stay with Cedar from now on just cause its so nice to work with, right down to the smell.They are light, yet rigid.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 09:05:54 PM by Shadow »
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Scotth

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2005, 10:14:14 PM »
I've had good luck with hemlock,don't know if it's available near you.I made my last set of blades from 2x8 clear hemlock from the mill down the road.I'm not sure if it helps,but as soon as I finished one blade,I doused it with linseed oil right away in an attempt to keep it from changing shape.They've been flying for a month now in pretty much every imagineable weather and have held their shape perfectly.Laminating pine,spruce or cedar is also a good way to go.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2005, 10:14:14 PM by Scotth »
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Speo

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2005, 10:30:32 AM »
I was reluctant to laminate blades, but I think I will go for laminates now.

I saw that peple are using all kind of glues. Is there "a mother" of all glues?


Please let me know what glues worked fine for you, guys.


If that glue is available at Home Depot, Canadian Tire or Wal-mart that would be great.


Thanks a lot,


speo

« Last Edit: November 01, 2005, 10:30:32 AM by Speo »
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Shadow

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2005, 11:36:28 AM »
AS for glue,I think most carpenters wood glue is pretty good anymore. Just make sure its for exterior/outdoor use. I used Elmers wood glue until I ran out then Used Pro-Bond, which I'd heard was very good. I think main thing is to use lots of clamps

Good Luck!
« Last Edit: November 01, 2005, 11:36:28 AM by Shadow »
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wdyasq

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Polyurethane
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2005, 01:29:07 PM »
The 'LePage' polyurethane adhiseves will work fine.  The Polyurethane glue is honey color and consistancy while the polyurethane adhesive in caulk tubes is biege colored.


In addition a good 'water-proof carpenter's glue' will work also.


Grain orientation will make more difference than the type of wood used.  Quite a few folks here are fairly ignorant on the use of wood as a structural material.


Ron

« Last Edit: November 01, 2005, 01:29:07 PM by wdyasq »
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steak2k1

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2005, 09:30:24 PM »
Door # 7 - knotless or, if you can get it...give Fir a try.


Laminating 2 boards to get to a 2" + thickness is a decent idea that to my mind adds some tensile strength and a bit of ductility to the blades.  Offset the grains so they are opposite each other. I don't mean cross sectional but looking at the ends of the boards, some will have grain at a 45 deg going one way ... so use the next board with the grain going the other direction..if ya know what I mean..??


As for glue I have used Pro-bond (Same as Gorilla glue - but half the price), and am totally satisfied with the results.  Awesome polyeurathane glue that once set is impervious to water/moisture - make sure to moisten the boards before glueing.  As well it (the glue), is absolutely not an issue when carving.


Ya gotta use a ton of clamps...Can't hurt eh.?


As for carving..a wise man here once suggested using a rasp along with check cuts and a good chisel ... I did as suggested and it worked absolutely perfectly ... rasp (open blade type from Lee Valley), was aggresive for removal yet precise enough to keep to your drop lines et all.


rgds,


stk

« Last Edit: November 01, 2005, 09:30:24 PM by steak2k1 »
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Speo

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2005, 10:24:07 AM »
"so use the next board with the grain going the other direction..if ya know what I mean..??"


Like this?





Thanks,


speo

« Last Edit: November 02, 2005, 10:24:07 AM by Speo »
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asheets

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Re: What kind of wood should I use?
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2005, 12:46:06 PM »
Are you also using dowels or chips to hold the lams together, in addition to the glue?
« Last Edit: November 04, 2005, 12:46:06 PM by asheets »
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