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• Don't Spoil the Vehicle for a Ha'p'orth of Wood
Page 149
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Notes on Some Woods which, by Reason of their Inherent Properties, are Admirably Suitable for Promoting Decorative Effects on Passenger-.
carrying Vehicles
By a WOOD EXPERT -vv.HENEVER I ride in a bus, or motor coach, I cannot help thinking, as a lover of wood, how much more pleasing to the eye and cheerful to the mind the interior of the vehicle (and the exterior, too, for that matter) would be if the bodybuilder had taken the opportunity for expressing his taste for decorative art by using woods pretty in themselves, instead of overloading the eye with artificial colour on woods having no claim to beauty.
The fact that there are numerous woods admirably suited to both inside and outside decoration of passenger vehicles seems to be over looked. Indeed, it is doubtful if there be any other material 'which presents such a wide variation in colour, texture, figure and utility.
It is truly lamentable that the handsome woods of the world are not used to a greater extent for decorative purposes than is the case today.
I am, however, inclined to think that the reason why 4 decorative woods are so seldomiseen on motor vehicles is not so much a question of cost, but is due to the owners' excusable ignorance of timber generally and, in particular, of fancy woods. Considering the enormous number of woods, and their kinds, in existence (there are over 40 different species of oak and even more of pine) it is not surprising that few persons outside the timber trade know much about that most valuable material.
Therefore it is my purpose here to give a few brief particulars, without entering into botanical data, about some of the many decorative woods which, for purposes where strength is not the prime factor, could be used at very little extra cost.
WALNUT: This is one of the foremost hardwoods of the world and its ise for decorative work dates back to the early Romans. True walnut varies in colour from grey to pale brown and is stiff and strong in proportion to its weight. It contains no ingredient deleterious to tools. Furthermore, walnut can be dried without warping, it takes glue well and, under trying conditions, keeps its manufactured form.
Veneers cut from the burs or excrescences of the walnut trees of Italy and the area around the Black Sea are often vividly figured and prettily mottled, skilful woodworkers being able to execute designs of great beauty. American walnut is at present the most fashionable. Although it is not so attractively grained as are the European species, its dull uniform colour makes good groundwork for ornament and rit is one of the best standing woods that are known.
SATINWOOD: A bright yellow wood, often highly figured, which derives its name from its general similarity in aspect and lustre to satin. It was introduced to this country from the Indies prior to the 18th century and, despite the vagaries of fashion, has retained a foremost position amongst decorative woods. It has a fine, smooth, dense and even grain, with a lustrous surface, making it an ideal wood for polishing in its natural colour. Its uses are many.
ROSEWOOD: As one of the most beautiful woods that are known, it has a fragrant smell like that of rose-water. ,In colour it is a dark chestnut, exquisitely veined and mottled, hard, heavy and of an oily character. It has one drawback from the woodworker's pornt of view, being difficult securely to fix with glue. The best rosewood comes from Rio, in Mexico, and it can be obtained in veneers. As an ornamental wood, it is most suitable for inlaying and carving.
TASMANIAN MYRTLE: This Empire timber is highly attractive in appearance, being of a brownish colour and having a satiny texture. The figuring takes the form of feathery cross grains. It is hard And will take an excellent polish. One pleasing character of this wood is its silky lustre.
RED CEDAR: Where a mild, easy-working wood, of the soft mahogany class, is required for panelling and decorative work, it would be difficult to find a better materiaL Light of weight, it is often elegantly figured or mottled. Moreover, it has excellent working qualities, and takes a good finish and polish. Red cedar is much used for decorative work on yachts.
BIRD'S-EYE MAPLE: As one of the best woods for panelling, veneering and interior finishing, this is yellowish-white in colour and is beautifully figured with numerous spots ; the closer the spots the more valuable is the wood. It has a fine, smooth, even and dense grain, but takes a long time to season. It wears extremely well and, where other woods would be damaged by friction, maple only polishes and seems to take on a new hardness.
Thus, worn edges and split corners (so distasteful to the eye) are never seen -when maple is used. There is a variety called "bog maple," which is extracted from the swamps of America. Of a beautiful pale blue colour, it is imported in the veneer and is one of the most handsome woods it is possible to imagine.
There is an old saying which runs, "Don't spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar." I would like that to be revised to "Don't spoil the vehicle for a ha'p'orth of wood."