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LETTERS ______________________________________ _
I would like to offer a couple of offbeat sources for hardwoods
that may have escaped the attention of other woodworkers.
Near here is a veneer mill that makes face veneer and
assembles it to order for the many furniture factories in the
East. As you know, fine veneer is cut from logs, whole or half,
and there is a " remainder" of the log, which has served as the
holding surface, when the knife has cut as close to the holding
mechanism as it can safely go . Confusingly, this remainder is
called the flitch, just as is the bundle of veneer cut from it.
These flitches become waste material to the mill, and are
stacked outside until disposed of, in whatever way they can
be. They are sold to whoever comes along and is willing to
take them at the offered price.
The center of the flitch includes the pith , leading to lessthan-ideal
drying (twists, warps, etc.). But it is a piece of
hardwood, 8 ft . to 12 ft . long, out of which a dressed 2x6 can
be gotten-and, of course, turning squares, blocks, etc. By
gluing up, you can get any size you want. Cost : largely what
the market will bear, but low. Walnut is at $0.70 per board
foot. Last year maple was $0.20 per board foot, but right now
it's in excess supply and they're using it to fire the boiler, and
selling it for $0.25 a board, 8 ft . to 12 ft . long ; similarly with
oak, at $0.40 per board.
Now, disadvantages exist. One must have a heavy saw (I
use a radial) and a planer to do anything with it. It's strictly
self-service ; bring your own truck and load it by hand yourself
.. .
I don't know how many such mills there are around the
country, but for those near enough, it's a source of fine wood
hardly available elsewhere.
Now to a second source , mostly for the amateur, but worth
knowing about and probably available anywhere in the
country. The Japanese have virtually a monopoly on motorcycle
sales in this country. And they ship them in crates made
from the group of timbers generally termed "Philippine
hardwoods:" red and white lauan, tanquile, tiaong, almon,
bagtikan, mayapis, and some other strange things I can't
identify. It's rough-sawn and out of square, and in short and
medium lengths (30 to 80 in.). Density of the woods found
varies from not much better than balsa to some pieces resembling
narra or satinwood, very hard and dense. You pick
them up at the motorcycle dealer, who thanks you for getting
them out of the way, and about a day of nail-pulling will
reduce a small pickup-truck load to a large stack of rough
boards. It's hard work, and you've got to be sure to get all the
nails and staples out before running them through the
planer, but the net result is a free supply of good-grade hardwood
for use in small items to be naturally finished, or large
ones to be painted (the nail holes mar them, as there is invariably
a black rust stain, so only small items can be made without
a nail hole to cover up) .
-Donald L. McKinsey, Charlotte, N. C.
In your Fall '77 issue, p. 63, you refer to the use of epoxy
glues for gluing up ivory and wood. Recently I had occasion to
repair an ivory bracelet, and on consulting a restorer connected
with the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, Md., I was
FINISH AHEAD OF THE PACK
PASTE WOOD FILLERS
a
oak,
Filling the grain of wood prior to applying
a varnish or lacquer finish makes a smooth
surface. This is important with porous
wood such as ash, butternut and
mahogany. By tinting the filler the finisher
can create a contrast. Filler is applied with
the grain using stiff brush. When it loses
its gloss. wipe cross grain with a piece of
be
burlap. Allow overnight drying, then sand.
Can be thinned with benzine or turpentine
and should be a heavy paint consistency.
Japan colors can mixed to reach the de·
sired color. Quart size.
OSN31-EZ NaturaljOak $6.25
OSN41-EZ Medium Walnut $6.25
OSN51-EZ Medium Brown Mahogany $6.25
SANDING SEALER
Can be brushed or sprayed onto a surface
prior to finishing. Quick drying, it can be
sanded soon after application. Not to be
confused wi th paste fillers which can be
used to srain the wood. Sanding sealer is
used before the application of clear lacquers.
OSP22-BV Quart $4.15
OSP21-BV Gallon $9.95
REFINED SHELLAC FLAKES
Specially processed shellac flakes which have
been dewaxed to yield a much clearer and
harder finish than bleached orange shellac.
The results are well worth the price.
18Q62-BV Refined, 1 lb. $5.50
with these recommended supplies
1 E. Clock built by
All prices postpaid
Cadye
Lynch
MEASURED DRAWING
40A31-BE $6.00
Telephone your order toll free: (SOO) 225-1153
(Ma. residents dial (SOO) 842-1234)
Mastercharge, Visa, American Express welcome.
W