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message 51:
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Jim
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Feb 11, 2012 11:39AM
Wood is also tightly joined in other directions to other pieces of wood. Much movement would break those joints & create gaps.
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My The Encyclopedia Of Wood: A Tree By Tree Guide To The World's Most Versatile Resource lists 2 basic mahoganies; American & African. It says the African Mahogany name covers all of the Khaya species, but there are 3 main species used. There are two major areas it's harvested; the rain forests of western Africa & on the eastern coast just under the hump. The trees are 180'-200' tall & the dried wood is 33 to 37 lbs/cubic foot, depending on the species. The American Mahogany runs about 34 lbs/cubic foot & it's all of one species, swietenia. It's usually named for its country or area of origin & grows in Central America & South America. These trees only get about 150' tall in the wild & only 100' on the plantations.
They are listed as very workable, stable, but only moderately durable (resistant to rot). Apparently it doesn't bend well or have a lot of bending strength either, which surprised me.
Wow, Jim, you sure know your stuff when it comes to wood. I'm flabberghasted! Thanks very much for the mini-lesson!You are so right about wood and shrinkage. I learned about that the hard way, after we had a cabinet made to match our kitchen cabinets. I was amazed to see that after a while the space between the two doors (which met when closed) got wider and wider. It's now a little over 1/4 of an inch, which is a lot for doors that are supposed to meet fairly tightly. Yes, the wood had shrunk. I didn't know that wood did that to such a degree. I think that we had bought the planks at Lowes or Home Depot.
At Halls, during winter storage, most of the wooden boats would sink if we put them right into the water because of shrinkage. We soak the bilge til the wood swells. Others we hang from the rafters of the boathouse so the bottom is in the water. Nothing else needs to be done if it's just shrinkage. Maybe lay some wet towels on the door, that's what I'd do. Not soaking wet, wring it out but don't let the towel dry out. We do it to the decks too, and they've been varnished, so some moisture must get through.
Jackie wrote: "At Halls, during winter storage, most of the wooden boats would sink if we put them right into the water because of shrinkage. We soak the bilge til the wood swells. Others we hang from the rafte..."Good point, Jackie.
You're welcome, Joy. It's probably more than you wanted to know. ;-)
Occasionally on the Antiques Road Show you'll see some great old pieces that have broken because of the humidity difference.
That's a shame (re broken antique pieces). I know that there are humidifiers for pianos to prevent dry-out of the sounding board or whatever. We've never used one.Does temperature affect wood? We had a piece of metal stemware (for champagne) actually split (at the top of the cup area) when it was left in a summer vacation home where the temp was below freezing during the winter.
Yes, high temps and direct sunlight will affect wood.
Yes, Joy. Remember that even when dry wood is full of moisture & that means movement. That's why exterior pieces have such a hard time keeping a finish on them. All that moisture migration pushes the finish off.
Jim wrote: "Yes, Joy. Remember that even when dry wood is full of moisture & that means movement. That's why exterior pieces have such a hard time keeping a finish on them. All that moisture migration pushe..."Jackie wrote: "Yes, high temps and direct sunlight will affect wood."
Thank goodness for fiberglass (boats)!
Joy wrote: Thank goodness for fiberglass (boats)! Not for me! I'd be out of a job then!
Fiberglass boats really are easier and less expensive with the upkeep....but the beauty of a wooden boat cannot be surpassed.
Jackie wrote: "... the beauty of a wooden boat cannot be surpassed."Jackie, I'll bet you've seen some beauties!
Oh, you cannot imagine. My favorite time of year is when they go out from winter storage and are all shiny and clean. I get to see all my favorites. If you're in Lake George in the summer, you can go to Hall's and see what's still in storage in the Upper Building, it's open so people can come in and have a look. Lots of boats are in there, even in the summer.
Jackie wrote: "Oh, you cannot imagine. My favorite time of year is when they go out from winter storage and are all shiny and clean. I get to see all my favorites.If you're in Lake George in the summer, you can go to Hall's and see what's still in storage in the Upper Building, it's open so people can come in and have a look. Lots of boats are in there, even in the summer."
Gee, Jackie, thanks for telling me. Eddie would LOVE that! LOL He really loves boats!
Eddie will love seeing what's on display at Halls. They have events to showcase the boats too. In August there's a boat show at the Lake, all the pretty woodies are there.
Just found your post, Jackie. Didn't get a notification. We've never gone to the LG August antique boat show. One of these years we should make a point of going. Does Halls advertise its special events?
I think so. I don't get the newspaper and always found out from working there. I'm not getting all my notifications either.
I guess we just have to keep checking the group itself for "unread" posts.
