I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is replacing
their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has screw
holes.
I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nicely
and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes it
undesirable for cabinetry?
On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 16:54:55 GMT, "toller" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is replacing
>their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has screw
>holes.
>
>I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nicely
>and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes it
>undesirable for cabinetry?
>
Howard Hughes build the "Spruce Goose" (largest plane in the world at the time)
out of it because he said that it was very light and stronger than most light
woods...
I've never heard of it having problems like sap leaking like pine or splintering
like oak... never had any to play with, though...
I would guess that there are several types of spruce??
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
In article
<[email protected]>, George E.
Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
> Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
You're partly mistaken, George. The Tamarack needles turn yellow and
fall off in fall. But the Tamarack is also known as the Larch.
;-)
See <http://collections.ic.gc.ca/mississagi/natural/flora/tamarack.htm>
I spent some time in northern BC, and the Tamaracks sure stood out
against the evergreens in the fall.
djb
--
~ Stay Calm... Be Brave... Wait for the Signs ~
------------------------------------------------------
One site: <http://www.balderstone.ca>
The other site, with ww links<http://www.woodenwabbits.com>
It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get one
of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like
Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber.
P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
hangs over pointing toward the ground.
[email protected] wrote:
> Glen wrote:
> > > I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber.
>
> > Howard Hughes used it to build a pretty good sized airplane.
>
> No, he didn't. The name "Spruce Goose" was a complete misnomer.
Sitka spruce has a good weight to strength ratio and has been
widely used in _other_ aircraft. In fact, one of the largest
suppliers of parts and kits for homebuilt aircraft goes by the
name of _Aircraft Spruce_.
Another wood commonly used in aircraft, a small boatload of
which WAS used in the Hughes Hercules (aka "Spruce Goose") is
birch. Aircraft birch is commonly used as plywood. Aircraft
birch 3-ply plywood can be as thin as 1/64". That's pretty
impressive when you consider that the veneer commonly used
to cover fine furniture is typically 1/48", substantially
thicker than that plywood.
Priced by the sheet, the cheapest plywood seems to be around
1/8" thick. For plywood thinner than that, the price per sheet
goes up as the thickness goes down.
--
FF
toller wrote:
> I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is replacing
> their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has screw
> holes.
>
> I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nicely
> and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes it
> undesirable for cabinetry?
Luthiers use spruce, though they want straight-grained with closely
spaced growth rings. The face of many stringed instruments, including
most violins, are made from spruce. Most of the rest of a violin
is made from hardwood, curly maple being a favorite, though some
fir may be used in the interior.
--
FF
mac davis wrote:
> On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 16:54:55 GMT, "toller" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >...
> >I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nicely
> >and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes it
> >undesirable for cabinetry?
> >
> Howard Hughes build the "Spruce Goose" (largest plane in the world at the time)
> out of it because he said that it was very light and stronger than most light
> woods...
There was some spruce in the Hughes Hercules but most of the wood
used was birch plywood, aka 'aircraft' plywood. Wood was used
because Aluminum was unavailable due to the wartime demand for
it in fighters and bombers. The Herc was intended for troop
transport and medical evacuation.
"Spruce Goose" just rolls off the tongue a little easier than
"Birch Bufflehead".
>
> I would guess that there are several types of spruce??
Yep. Like most common names for wood, 'spruce' refers to an
entire genus. Also like many plants, some individual species
within the genus will readily hybridize in the wild so that
a particular tree in the woods might not be any specific
species. Or, as my brother the Zoologist says, "Plants are sluts."
--
FF
Henry St.Pierre wrote:
> ...
> I would (wood) never think of hemlock as "whitewood" cause I have about 15
> acres of it here in the Catskills. When I mill it, the color is definitely
> not like the color of SPF. It's more brownish and reddish. It may be
> included in SPF, but I've not seen any.
>
The American Softwood Lumber Association has a "hem-fir" species
group, typically Western hemlock and true fir. That group
is a step up in strength from "SPF", but below Southern yellow pine
(SYP) and Doug Fir (DF) Most of the Home Despot lumber in
Suburban Wasington DC appears to be hem-fir.
--
FF
In article <[email protected]>,
George E. Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
> WillR said SPRUCE needles turned yellow in the
> fall.
No, he did not. But you're partly correct in that I read tamarack where
he said hemlock. <g>
In article
<[email protected]>, George E.
Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
> WillR wrote:
> > I think Hemlock can be a little more brittle and splintery as I recall.
> > Great for chopsticks as the wood seems to "grip" well. Beautiful soft
> > leaves (needles). Turns yellow in the fall as I recall.
>
> Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
Cheers.
djb
--
~ Stay Calm... Be Brave... Wait for the Signs ~
------------------------------------------------------
One site: <http://www.balderstone.ca>
The other site, with ww links<http://www.woodenwabbits.com>
In article <[email protected]>, mac davis
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Howard Hughes build the "Spruce Goose" (largest plane in the world at the
> time)
> out of it because he said that it was very light and stronger than most light
> woods...
The Goose was primarily made of birch...
djb
--
~ Stay Calm... Be Brave... Wait for the Signs ~
------------------------------------------------------
One site: <http://www.balderstone.ca>
The other site, with ww links<http://www.woodenwabbits.com>
In article <[email protected]>,
George E. Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
> Or better yet
> let's both blame WillR for our mistakes.
That BASTID! Let's GET him!
;-)
djb
--
~ Stay Calm... Be Brave... Wait for the Signs ~
------------------------------------------------------
One site: <http://www.balderstone.ca>
The other site, with ww links<http://www.woodenwabbits.com>
In article <[email protected]>, mac davis
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Being named the "spruce goose", I naturally assumed (make an ass out of u &
> me)
> it was made of spruce...
Apparently Hughes thought about calling it the "Birch Bitch" but
changed his mind...
;-)
--
~ Stay Calm... Be Brave... Wait for the Signs ~
------------------------------------------------------
One site: <http://www.balderstone.ca>
The other site, with ww links<http://www.woodenwabbits.com>
SonomaProducts.com wrote:
> It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
> that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get one=
> of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
>=20
> I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
> nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like
> Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber.=
> P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
> hangs over pointing toward the ground.
>=20
I think Hemlock can be a little more brittle and splintery as I recall.=20
Great for chopsticks as the wood seems to "grip" well. Beautiful soft=20
leaves (needles). Turns yellow in the fall as I recall.
Fir I think is lighter and is much smoother and less splintery -- but=20
would have to look up the specs to be sure. You're right about nice=20
tight grained fir - beautiful wood... Fairly flexible and springy in=20
many applications. (From memory not from a reference -- so I am=20
comparing to other woods I had available over the years.)
Fir can be used for masts and general boating applications as I recall.
--=20
Will R.
Jewel Boxes and Wood Art
http://woodwork.pmccl.com
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20
who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw
SonomaProducts.com wrote:
> It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
> that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get one
> of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
>
> I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
> nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like
> Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber.
> P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
> hangs over pointing toward the ground.
>
Humbug. The SPF designation means that they have
pretty much the same engineering properties. A
hemlock is easily distinguished from fir tree,even
100 feet away. The branches sag and the needles
are a mix of lengths which give the tree a kind of
lacy look. Up close it is easy to tell the
difference. Grab a branch with your bare hand and
if it is stickery it is a spruce, if soft a fir.
As for the wood, it is all over the place
depending on species especially among the firs.
"WillR" wrote in message
>Used in guitar tops (musical grade -- requires tight grain)
Red spruce is highly prized for this and hard to come by these days. A good
piece vibrates like a tuning fork when struck ... tapping a red spruce log
laying on the ground can actually produce a ringing note.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 8/07/05
"George E. Cawthon" wrote:
>
> Duane Bozarth wrote:
> > mac davis wrote:
> >
> > ...
> >
> >>I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just "white wood"
> >>whatever that is..
> >
> >
> > Like "white fish", an undifferentiated lot of species w/similar
> > properties/appearance...
>
> Not here. Whitefish is a specific game fish. Not
> a fisherman and don't know what the species is.
"white" fish, <not> "whitefish"...
"George E. Cawthon" wrote:
>
> Duane Bozarth wrote:
> > "George E. Cawthon" wrote:
> >
> >>Duane Bozarth wrote:
> >>
> >>>mac davis wrote:
> >>>
> >>>...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just "white wood"
> >>>>whatever that is..
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Like "white fish", an undifferentiated lot of species w/similar
> >>>properties/appearance...
> >>
> >>Not here. Whitefish is a specific game fish. Not
> >>a fisherman and don't know what the species is.
> >
> >
> > "white" fish, <not> "whitefish"...
>
> Yeah, I know, but I just had to point out that
> whitefish is a specific, and if you hear someone
> say it, you really don't know what they mean.
I got to thinking I don't recall that I've seen the generic labeling
recently--maybe that disappeared w/ some of the fair marketing laws, I
don't know...
"Duane Bozarth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> mac davis wrote:
>>
> ...
>> I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just "white
>> wood"
>> whatever that is..
>
> Like "white fish", an undifferentiated lot of species w/similar
> properties/appearance...
There is but _one_ whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis, and the best are from
Lake Superior, where the cold water makes their flesh firm and tasty.
"White wood" out east can include hemlock, about which many here appear
confused. Used to mean (true) poplar in our area until the westerners
started selling aspen.
"Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Douglas fir is not the same as the "fir" in SPF. (unfortunately)
> --
Nor is it a fir. Just to muddy the waters, its genus is Pseudotsuga, or
"false Hemlock."
Seems this thread always doubles back on itself....
toller wrote:
> I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is replacing
> their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has screw
> holes.
>
> I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nicely
> and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes it
> undesirable for cabinetry?
>
>
Howard Hughes used it to build a pretty good sized airplane.
;-)
Glen
"toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is replacing
>their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has screw
>holes.
I have worked with both pine and spruce and they are very similar. I have
use both on the same project, a Tack box, and it turned out really well.
Same experience with a Saddle Rack.
I did find the spruce could split easily when nailing or screwing close to
the ends, however a bit of care and the use of a pilot hole readily resolved
that situation.
I'm sure you or another ww could find a good use for the spruce.
Dan
In article <[email protected]>,
mac davis <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 16:11:54 -0400, WillR <[email protected]> wrote:
>
><snip>
>>Fir I think is lighter and is much smoother and less splintery -- but
>>would have to look up the specs to be sure. You're right about nice
>>tight grained fir - beautiful wood... Fairly flexible and springy in
>>many applications. (From memory not from a reference -- so I am
>>comparing to other woods I had available over the years.)
>>
>>Fir can be used for masts and general boating applications as I recall.
>
>I've used quite a bit of douglas fir for utility stuff like garage drawer sides
>and bench/table edges...
>It's a little harder and stronger than pine or "white wood" and has a much
>tighter, straighter grain..
>Sands and finishes pretty good, for the comparative price..
>
>
>mac
>
>Please remove splinters before emailing
Douglas fir is not the same as the "fir" in SPF. (unfortunately)
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
Duane Bozarth wrote:
> mac davis wrote:
>
> ...
>
>>I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just "white wood"
>>whatever that is..
>
>
> Like "white fish", an undifferentiated lot of species w/similar
> properties/appearance...
Not here. Whitefish is a specific game fish. Not
a fisherman and don't know what the species is.
Duane Bozarth wrote:
> "George E. Cawthon" wrote:
>
>>Duane Bozarth wrote:
>>
>>>mac davis wrote:
>>>
>>>...
>>>
>>>
>>>>I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just "white wood"
>>>>whatever that is..
>>>
>>>
>>>Like "white fish", an undifferentiated lot of species w/similar
>>>properties/appearance...
>>
>>Not here. Whitefish is a specific game fish. Not
>>a fisherman and don't know what the species is.
>
>
> "white" fish, <not> "whitefish"...
Yeah, I know, but I just had to point out that
whitefish is a specific, and if you hear someone
say it, you really don't know what they mean.
Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> George E. Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>WillR said SPRUCE needles turned yellow in the
>>fall.
>
>
> No, he did not. But you're partly correct in that I read tamarack where
> he said hemlock. <g>
>
> In article
> <[email protected]>, George E.
> Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>WillR wrote:
>
>
>>>I think Hemlock can be a little more brittle and splintery as I recall.
>>>Great for chopsticks as the wood seems to "grip" well. Beautiful soft
>>>leaves (needles). Turns yellow in the fall as I recall.
>>
>>Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
>
>
> Cheers.
>
> djb
>
OH Damn! how about I just blame you for my error
of inserting spruce for hemlock? Or better yet
let's both blame WillR for our mistakes.
Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article
> <[email protected]>, George E.
> Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
>
>
> You're partly mistaken, George. The Tamarack needles turn yellow and
> fall off in fall. But the Tamarack is also known as the Larch.
>
> ;-)
>
> See <http://collections.ic.gc.ca/mississagi/natural/flora/tamarack.htm>
>
> I spent some time in northern BC, and the Tamaracks sure stood out
> against the evergreens in the fall.
>
> djb
>
I think you are partly confused, no, just
confused. Everything you said is true is except
your first statement which was, "You're partly
mistaken." Nope, no mistake, part or whole.
WillR said SPRUCE needles turned yellow in the
fall. Nope, they stay green all year just like
firs and hemlock, unless the tree is dying.
Yep, tamarack is a common name for larch. In fact
it is the name most often used here, but many
people aren't familiar with the name. Yep, the
tamarack leaves turn yellow in the fall and fall
off, a natural occurrence for a deciduous tree.
"WillR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Duane Bozarth wrote:
> toller wrote:
>
>>Has anyone actually used it for woodworking?!
>
>
> I'm sure someone has... :)
>
> What do you have in mind? Something you would use a soft pine or
> similar for spruce would be a reasonable substitue.
Over the years -- yes -- shelves, boxes, furniture, construction...
Works like white pine -- these days.
Can have gummy patches (resin) -- but otherwise ok.
-------------
thanks. With oil on it, it actually rather pretty. Though it dents pretty
easily.
Duane Bozarth wrote:
> toller wrote:
>=20
>>Has anyone actually used it for woodworking?!
>=20
>=20
> I'm sure someone has... :)
>=20
> What do you have in mind? Something you would use a soft pine or
> similar for spruce would be a reasonable substitue.
Over the years -- yes -- shelves, boxes, furniture, construction...
Works like white pine -- these days.
Can have gummy patches (resin) -- but otherwise ok.
--=20
Will R.
Jewel Boxes and Wood Art
http://woodwork.pmccl.com
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20
who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw
"George" <George@least> wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> "Duane Bozarth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> mac davis wrote:
>>>
>> ...
>>> I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just
>>> "white wood"
>>> whatever that is..
>>
>> Like "white fish", an undifferentiated lot of species w/similar
>> properties/appearance...
>
> There is but _one_ whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis, and the best are
> from Lake Superior, where the cold water makes their flesh firm and
> tasty.
>
> "White wood" out east can include hemlock, about which many here
> appear confused. Used to mean (true) poplar in our area until the
> westerners started selling aspen.
>
>
George,
I would (wood) never think of hemlock as "whitewood" cause I have about 15
acres of it here in the Catskills. When I mill it, the color is definitely
not like the color of SPF. It's more brownish and reddish. It may be
included in SPF, but I've not seen any. We have a garbage wood up here
called 'poplar' it's not good for much. It definitely does not look like
hemlock. Hemlock is an evergreen and this stuff looks like it wants to be a
birch in another 30 or 40 thousand years.
Regards,
Hank
WillR wrote:
> SonomaProducts.com wrote:
>
>> It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
>> that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get one
>> of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
>>
>> I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
>> nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like
>> Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber.
>> P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
>> hangs over pointing toward the ground.
>>
>
>
> I think Hemlock can be a little more brittle and splintery as I recall.
> Great for chopsticks as the wood seems to "grip" well. Beautiful soft
> leaves (needles). Turns yellow in the fall as I recall.
Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
>
> Fir I think is lighter and is much smoother and less splintery -- but
> would have to look up the specs to be sure. You're right about nice
> tight grained fir - beautiful wood... Fairly flexible and springy in
> many applications. (From memory not from a reference -- so I am
> comparing to other woods I had available over the years.)
>
> Fir can be used for masts and general boating applications as I recall.
>
Spruce is decent stuff. The old growth spruce is real nice. Looks
good, machines well. Doug Fir will last forever as exterior trim.
Rabbit
--
--
Lon Marshall <[email protected]>
On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 01:07:57 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Dave Balderstone wrote:
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> George E. Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>WillR said SPRUCE needles turned yellow in the
>>>fall.
>>
>>
>> No, he did not. But you're partly correct in that I read tamarack where
>> he said hemlock. <g>
>>
>> In article
>> <[email protected]>, George E.
>> Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>WillR wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>I think Hemlock can be a little more brittle and splintery as I recall.
>>>>Great for chopsticks as the wood seems to "grip" well. Beautiful soft
>>>>leaves (needles). Turns yellow in the fall as I recall.
>>>
>>>Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
>>
>>
>> Cheers.
>>
>> djb
>>
>OH Damn! how about I just blame you for my error
>of inserting spruce for hemlock? Or better yet
>let's both blame WillR for our mistakes.
That's what I usually do... and Will believes me, too.. *eg*
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
FWIW, It's used for musical instruments like acoustic guitars.
"toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is
replacing
> their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has
screw
> holes.
>
> I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nicely
> and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes it
> undesirable for cabinetry?
>
>
On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 11:02:26 -0700, mac davis
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Being named the "spruce goose",
It was never _named_ the spruce goose. Hughes always insisted on the
"Hercules" or the HK-4 / H-4. The "spruce goose" was just a label cooked
up by a newspaper and Hughes famously hated it.
In the recent film I think it's the corrupt Sen. Brewster who coins the
term, but in reailty he didn't have the wit for this and just called it
a "a flying lumberyard"
On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 15:27:35 -0400, "George" <George@least> wrote:
>
>"Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> Douglas fir is not the same as the "fir" in SPF. (unfortunately)
>> --
>
>Nor is it a fir. Just to muddy the waters, its genus is Pseudotsuga, or
>"false Hemlock."
>
>Seems this thread always doubles back on itself....
>
ARGGGGGGGGGGGG... you're making me crazy, George!!!! *lol*
(well, crazier, anyway..)
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On 11 Aug 2005 10:50:19 -0700, "SonomaProducts.com" <[email protected]> wrote:
>It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
>that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get one
>of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
>
>I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
>nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like
>Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber.
>P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
>hangs over pointing toward the ground.
I wonder if that's what the BORGs sell as "white wood" now...
I've noticed that they don't sell pine shelving any more, just "white wood"
whatever that is..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 16:11:54 -0400, WillR <[email protected]> wrote:
<snip>
>Fir I think is lighter and is much smoother and less splintery -- but
>would have to look up the specs to be sure. You're right about nice
>tight grained fir - beautiful wood... Fairly flexible and springy in
>many applications. (From memory not from a reference -- so I am
>comparing to other woods I had available over the years.)
>
>Fir can be used for masts and general boating applications as I recall.
I've used quite a bit of douglas fir for utility stuff like garage drawer sides
and bench/table edges...
It's a little harder and stronger than pine or "white wood" and has a much
tighter, straighter grain..
Sands and finishes pretty good, for the comparative price..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 13:40:11 -0600, Dave Balderstone
<dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca> wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, mac davis
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Being named the "spruce goose", I naturally assumed (make an ass out of u &
>> me)
>> it was made of spruce...
>
>Apparently Hughes thought about calling it the "Birch Bitch" but
>changed his mind...
>
>;-)
i LIKE it!!!
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
"toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:K%[email protected]...
> Has anyone actually used it for woodworking?!
I made a picnic table (painted), drill press stand, utility workbench,
sawhorses, and a few other oddments. Not fine woodworking, but it's strong
and does the job just fine!
- Owen -
toller wrote:
> I scavenged about 40' of clear spruce 2x6s from a neighbor who is repla=
cing=20
> their stairs. Okay, it is only clear on one side, the other side has s=
crew=20
> holes.
>=20
> I can't find anything on spruce as a woodworking lumber. It works nice=
ly=20
> and looks good with oil on it. Is there a problem with it that makes i=
t=20
> undesirable for cabinetry?=20
>=20
>=20
SPF Two by fours -- other wise known as Spruce - Pine - Fir Tubafours.
Used in house construction, ships masts etc.
Light, strong, lots of resin sometimes. Spruce gum is nice and so is=20
spruce beer -- made from the resin...
Used in guitar tops (musical grade -- requires tight grain), mantels for =
fireplaces etc.
Nicest spruce I ever saw was in the columns of a fireplace=20
mantel/millwork -- it had been painted many times -- the last time=20
orange -- with yellow flames. I did not have the time to strip -- I=20
threw it out with tears in my eyes.
--=20
Will R.
Jewel Boxes and Wood Art
http://woodwork.pmccl.com
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20
who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw
WillR wrote:
> SonomaProducts.com wrote:
>=20
>> It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
>> that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get on=
e
>> of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
>>
>> I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
>> nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like=
>> Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber=
=2E
>> P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
>> hangs over pointing toward the ground.
>>
>=20
>=20
> I think Hemlock can be a little more brittle and splintery as I recall.=
=20
> Great for chopsticks as the wood seems to "grip" well. Beautiful soft=20
> leaves (needles). Turns yellow in the fall as I recall.
>=20
Sorry -- was thinking of Tamarack... It turns yellow in the fall.
> Fir I think is lighter and is much smoother and less splintery -- but=20
> would have to look up the specs to be sure. You're right about nice=20
> tight grained fir - beautiful wood... Fairly flexible and springy in=20
> many applications. (From memory not from a reference -- so I am=20
> comparing to other woods I had available over the years.)
>=20
> Fir can be used for masts and general boating applications as I recall.=
>=20
--=20
Will R.
Jewel Boxes and Wood Art
http://woodwork.pmccl.com
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20
who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw
On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:51:53 -0600, Dave Balderstone
<dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca> wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, mac davis
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Howard Hughes build the "Spruce Goose" (largest plane in the world at the
>> time)
>> out of it because he said that it was very light and stronger than most light
>> woods...
>
>The Goose was primarily made of birch...
>
>djb
damn.. this thread is an education!
Being named the "spruce goose", I naturally assumed (make an ass out of u & me)
it was made of spruce...
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
It is said that hemlocks pray, with their heads bowed.
Steve
"SonomaProducts.com" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It's pretty much like Pine. The lumber trades have a designation SPF
> that stands for "Spruce, Pine, Fir". When you buy SPF, you will get one
> of those three. They consider them pretty much interchangable.
>
> I think the S and P are pretty much the same but the Fir can be a lot
> nicer if you get the straight grain variety and that is also much like
> Hemlock which si nearly indistinguisable from Fir as a tree and lumber.
> P.S. Hemlock trees have a limp top section, the very top of the tree
> hangs over pointing toward the ground.
>
Straight grained Sitka Spruce is the desired choice for traditional wood
spars {masts & booms}. The flexibility allows it to bend rather than break.
Regards,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
"toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "WillR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Duane Bozarth wrote:
> > toller wrote:
> >
> >>Has anyone actually used it for woodworking?!
> >
> >
> > I'm sure someone has... :)
> >
> > What do you have in mind? Something you would use a soft pine or
> > similar for spruce would be a reasonable substitue.
>
>
> Over the years -- yes -- shelves, boxes, furniture, construction...
>
> Works like white pine -- these days.
>
> Can have gummy patches (resin) -- but otherwise ok.
>
> -------------
> thanks. With oil on it, it actually rather pretty. Though it dents
pretty
> easily.
>
>
George E. Cawthon wrote:
> Dave Balderstone wrote:
>=20
>> In article
>> <[email protected]>, George E=
=2E
>> Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Only if diseased. Maybe you are thinking of larch.
>>
>>
>>
>> You're partly mistaken, George. The Tamarack needles turn yellow and
>> fall off in fall. But the Tamarack is also known as the Larch.
>> ;-)
>>
>> See <http://collections.ic.gc.ca/mississagi/natural/flora/tamarack.htm=
>
>>
>> I spent some time in northern BC, and the Tamaracks sure stood out
>> against the evergreens in the fall.
>>
>> djb
>>
>=20
> I think you are partly confused, no, just confused. Everything you sai=
d=20
> is true is except your first statement which was, "You're partly=20
> mistaken." Nope, no mistake, part or whole. WillR said SPRUCE needles=
=20
> turned yellow in the fall.=20
Uh no -- if so I was wrong or it was a typo.
> Nope, they stay green all year just like=20
> firs and hemlock, unless the tree is dying.
>=20
> Yep, tamarack is a common name for larch. In fact it is the name most =
> often used here, but many people aren't familiar with the name. Yep, =
> the tamarack leaves turn yellow in the fall and fall off, a natural=20
> occurrence for a deciduous tree.
--=20
Will R.
Jewel Boxes and Wood Art
http://woodwork.pmccl.com
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20
who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw