Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.19981012164756.007b9880@mail.itis.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 16:47:56 -0500
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: Dan Miller <5lakes@itis.com>
Subject: Re: baidarka Dumb wood question: Ash
In-Reply-To: <3622636C.7164@totalsports.net>
At 04:15 PM 10/12/98 -0400, Charles Hall wrote:
>Okay, since we're back on the topic of wood; let me ask what is probably
>a dumb question.
>
>When the English Folding Kayak plans call for ash because it's
>"flexible", is that an option for us here in America? If I go to my
>local lumberyard and ask for ash, will they laugh at me? Is there a
>commonly available substitute?
There are (at least) 8 species of ash in North America. Of these,
white ash (Fraxinus americana) and black ash (Fraxinus nigra) are
probably the only commercially viable ones (though Green ash (Fraxinus
pennsyvanica) may be locally available). White ash, while not
rot-resistant, is common in the construction of canoes, for such
parts as gunwales, stems, thwarts and seats. Black ash is interesting
because when it is punded, it seperates along the growth rings, the
result of which can be made into strips for weaving baskets and such (I
have an oversized Adirondack packbasket made by a St. Regis Indian
of black ash).
It should be very easy to find ash (from Texas-MN east).
Search out a lumberyard that
specializes in hardwood lumbers, or millwork at least (stay away
from Home Depot). Even better, contact your local Natural Resources
Department and ask for soemone in Forestry. They probably have a
directory or two of wood-utilizing industries (I know Wisconsin and New
York have them). These will indicate which sawmills are taking in
ash, and what product they are spitting out (ie green, air-dried or
kiln-dried lumber, or pulp (which you can stay away from of course).
Sawmills are usually cheape - compare 50 cents/bdft for basswood from
one of our local mills to 6 bucks for a 6x8x12" piece of wood from a
carving supply place.
Cheers,
Dan
--- Daniel Miller - 5lakes@itis.com Five Lakes Wooden Boat Center http://www.paddlin.com/fivelakes/canoe.htm "So many boats, so little time..."