Canadian Rock Elm or alternative
Canadian Rock Elm or alternative
I am trying to source some Rock elm for timbers in my 16ft carvel dinghy (as described in another thread) I know it has basically been long unobtainable in the UK and oak is likely to be the only practical alternative. However the boat is so finely built i feel i must try to source the real thing! Any ideas on where or how to get some would be gratefully received!
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- Posts: 1663
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Gosport, UK
Re: Canadian Rock Elm or alternative
Hi Kieth,
This table:-
http://www.covboat.co.uk/sustainability.htm
I wood add Bamboo. Durable. Masts and Spars/jib sticks. Large sections need specialist importer. Needs no surface finishing.
Enjoy yourself
This table:-
And a whole range of other useful wood information can be found at:-TABLE 2 - English Timbers Suitable for Boatbuilding
TYPE OF TIMBER
DURABILITY
USE
COMMENTS
Maple (soft and rock)
Non Durable
Carving, internal work.
Rock maple bends well.
Sycamore
Perishable
Internal Work
Clear timber bends well.
Chestnut (Sweet)
Durable
Planking
Cleaves well. Needs support on inner face for bending
Birch
Perishable
Internal Work
Robinia (False Accacia)
Durable
Unknown, but possibly planking.
Good bending properties. Heavy and tough.
Hawthorne
Unknown
Knees, blocks, cleats, thole pins
Hedgerow trimmings
Ash
Perishable
Frames (salt water), oars, blocks
Bends well, light weight with outstanding toughness.
Holly
Perishable
Blocks, cleats, thole pins, tool handles.
A very hard wood.
Walnut
Moderately durable
Internal work, decorative
Bends well, but very scarce.
Apple (& other Fruits)
Unknown
Knees, blocks, cleats, etc
Distorts on drying. Small sizes
Plane Tree
Perishable
Decorative internal
Oak
Durable
Centreline, planking, framing.
Bends well, needs support, will stain in contact with iron or steel.
Lime
Perishable
Carving
Elm
Non Durable
Keels, garboards, (underwater)
Uncertain availability
Larch
Mod. Durable
Planking, fitting out
Cedar
Durable
Planking, fitting out
Tends to be soft and brittle
Douglas Fir
Mod. durable
Planking, decks, spars
Pitch Pine
Mod. Durable
Planking, fitting out
Corsican Pine
Non Durable
Planking
Needs to be treated, may discolour
Maritime Pine
Mod Durable
Planking
Scots Pine - Redwood
Non Durable
Planking, spars, oars
Needs to be treated.
Port Orford Cedar - (Lawsons Cypress)
Durable
Planking,fitting out, oars, paddles
Similar to Douglas Fir
European Spruce
Non Durable
Masts and spars, oars
Needs to be treated
Sitka Spruce
Non Durable
Planking
Needs to be treated
Western Red Cedar
Durable
Planking, fitting out
Accelerates corrosion of metals
Yew
Durable
Unknown
Bends well, durable, but small supply.
http://www.covboat.co.uk/sustainability.htm
I wood add Bamboo. Durable. Masts and Spars/jib sticks. Large sections need specialist importer. Needs no surface finishing.
Enjoy yourself
Michael Brigg
Re: Canadian Rock Elm or alternative
Gannet - Merlin 252 also has Canadian Rock Elm ribs and needed some replacing. Absolutely no chance of getting any as I did try very hard and I resorted to ash which seemed to work OK. I have to add that it was not used on heavily curved areas and for 3 years it has been in the boat and still looks fine. Hope this helps.