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Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

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(a)<br />

Figure 7.1 A knot is a portion of a branch that has<br />

been surrounded by the structure of the tree trunk as it<br />

continues to grow<br />

(a) Diagrammatic representation of a tree trunk where a<br />

branch has died and broken off. The tree will<br />

eventually encase the dead branch as it continues to<br />

grow, forming (in this case) an intergrown knot<br />

(intergrown knots have growth rings that are partly or<br />

completely intergrown with the growth rings of the tree<br />

trunk)<br />

(b–e) The appearance of the knot is dependent on how<br />

the tree trunk is converted into boards of wood.<br />

(b) Shows a spike knot, whose shape is a result of<br />

radial conversion of the log. Radial conversion cuts<br />

lengthwise or diagonally through the long axis of the<br />

original branch to produce a ‘spike’ shape that extends<br />

across the face of the board. When a log is converted<br />

by flat sawing (i.e. through and through conversion that<br />

produces mostly tangential boards) the knots are round<br />

or oval in shape and are called pin knots (c) or round<br />

knots (d) depending on their size. Tight knots are fixed<br />

in place by growth characteristics, shape, or position.<br />

Knots that are not held firmly in place by their growth<br />

ring structure or their position in the board are called<br />

loose knots: (e) shows the knothole formed when a<br />

loose knot is lost<br />

wood, among straight-grained and defect-free<br />

samples, may have twice the strength of the<br />

weakest. Most of this strength range is associated<br />

with a density variation and can therefore<br />

be sensed by the weight of the piece.<br />

Deterioration of wood and wooden structures 287<br />

(b)<br />

(c)<br />

(d)<br />

(e)<br />

However some is due to subtle variations in<br />

cell structure and cannot be predicted.<br />

Extremely narrow or extremely wide growth<br />

rings lead to weaker timber. In ring-porous<br />

hardwoods, increasing rate of growth (ring

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