Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Jul 02, 2003 07:03pm | #1

   Ed, This species: Dicorynia guianensis, from Northeastern South America, is a very pretty wood, but it has some problems. It's about as dense as our native hickories, so it takes some elbow grease to work it. More importantly tought, in often contains high silica levels (making it tough on blades) and it has rather high shrinkage; 14% volumetric, green to ovendry. It also sometimes has interlocked grain, so you've got to be careful to avoid chip-out when planing.

   It has good decay resistance, if you plan to use it in an exterior application. It's used for marine decking.

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jul 02, 2003 10:26pm | #5

   Geez, I heard you folks were way too serious ;)

   This is, hopefully, destined to be a keel for my boat.  I've had the piece now for about a year, and I'm concerned that the problems are of my own making.  Laying on one face, both ends are high, with about a 1/4" variation on the right, and 1/8" on the left.  I flipped it over (with just a little bit of help, LOL), and now, as expected, the ends are low.  The variation along the right side maxs at 13/16", and the left 1".  (And this is after propping both ends up some.  I didn't expect such a difference from side to side.   I've measured the thickness, which is quite consistant at 4.125".  There is a varying amount of sapwood on one side, probably not more than 2", and actually probably less than that.  The piece is sitting on three supports, plus blocking at the ends.  There is a gap (1/2" rt, 1/4" lf) between the middle support and the angelique on both sides, and between the support and the angelique at the forward support on just the right side (1/8").

   From this piece I need to get out a piece ~18' long, by ~16" wide, by ~3.75" thick.  Of course the piece needs to be dead flat!  Looking at the first side I wasn't particularly concerned (although perhaps I should be).  I guess my first question is should I roll it over again, and flatten that surface first?  Actually, perhaps what I should do next is attempt to find the best 18', and cut out that portion, and just flatten that?

   Just so there's no mistaking, I'm relying on the spiritual guidance of my grandfather, William M Conover.  Hopefully a wee little bit of his talent has made it to my finger tips.  In other words, don't assume that I know anything.  Thanks!

1. 
   jonsherryl | Jul 03, 2003 01:58am | #6

   Ed, I can't help you on the milling or anything else regarding boat construction. The only "boat" I ever owned was an aluminium canoe.

   I can add, however, that your choice of angelique gives you another important benefit in that it is also marine borer resistant...so, if you ever get this thing put together, it should last.

   ...and oh yes, this probably won't be of any concern to you, but I've heard recent rumors that angelique is suspected of being an HIV carrier. Might be a good idea if your other consultants here hoofed it in to the nearest clinic. :O)

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jul 03, 2003 09:10pm | #7

   Thanks Jon!  Oh, and I'll be certain to wear appropriate protective apparel when I'm attempting to have my way with it.  ;-)

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jul 04, 2003 12:43am | #8

   Angelique?  The porn star?John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   ian | Jul 06, 2003 02:16pm | #9

   Ed

   I think the more important questions may be "what sort of boat"? and why does the keel have to be "dead flat"? 

   Whilst I wont claim to be an expert, there's a wooden boat builder (who has to be pushing 80) not far from me.  He does not own a jointer and his thicknesser looks more like a small cast iron washing wringer than the sort of thicknesser found in a cabinet shop.  A warped board goes in one side and comes out as a thinner warped boad the other.  The boat builder then places the board on the hull in a place where the warp most closely matches the shape of the boat.   Scott Landis in "The Workbench Book" [Taunton] comments that except for cabin fittings most WW for building a boat is done on the boat itself - that unlike a cabinet shop there is little need to hold wood whilst it is flattened and squared. 

   A bit long winded, but the point I'm trying to make is that the plank as you describe it is probably OK to use as is.  Besides how would you get an 18' board "dead flat" anyway? 

   Ian

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jul 06, 2003 11:06pm | #10

   "Besides how would you get an 18' board "dead flat" anyway?"

   Ian, that is one of my questions.  I think you are probably correct re not needing to be dead flat, but I always think and worry to much.  Perhaps anal would be the best descriptive word, LOL.  In my case, the boat already exists so is there is a little twist, or if it's not perfectly flat, the structure of the boat will tend to correct that.  (I'm replacing the existing keel).

   Thanks for your thoughts!  Ed

   http://home.fiam.net/eeharrow/july2003.htm

   Edited 7/6/2003 4:08:40 PM ET by EdHarrow

2. 
   jimmyk | Jul 02, 2003 07:31pm | #2

   I dated a girl named Angelique! I guess you could say I worked her too.

1. 
   JsHerbel | Jul 02, 2003 08:31pm | #3

   I had an Angelique experience, I was 19 and she was 25. She worked me good.

1. 
   jimmyk | Jul 02, 2003 08:34pm | #4

   heh...it's good to be taught some things useful at that age.