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TIMBER FOR THE COMMERCIAL BODY.
Page 119
Page 120
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The Characteristics of the Different Timbers for Framework and Panelling. The Reasons Why Some are Much Better than Others.
MINGLING with the crowds at Olympia, one had the impression 'that all the experts in the United 'Kingdom had been called together to discuss petrol engines, and it was soon obvious that there are many people outside the motor industry :who • have 'expert knowledge of the mechanism of .almost every type; of motor vehicle. But one seldom -heard the coachwork seriously discussed. Few have any knowledge of the construction, and many displayed a lamentable ignorance concerning the different woods • used in making the body.
It is noticeable that those having vehicles built to order, While paying strict attention to the engine, will almost inpriablY accept a body built of any old timber . which the maker cares to use. This is attributable to the fact that few people know much about timber and .care less. Therefore a little information on the • subject may be helpful and may arouse their interest. Every buyer has the right tosstipulate the woods to be used in construction, and to inspect. the body before it is painted, when defects in the woodwork can be easily seen. Defective timber used in construction, • or even the wrong kind of timber, may make'the . vehicle a source of constant expense to its owner, more . especially in the case of Et cominercial vehicle.
Makeshifts for English Ash.
Bodies built of these two woods May be a little cheaper, but as every woodworker knows, cheap wood is false economy and it is not long before trouble coinmenee s. English ash, naturally dried, is second to none for framework. • This is not patriotic propaganda, but a universally acknowledgeil fact.. The combined qualities of toughness, resiliency and durability possessed by English ash make it specially adapted for this particular work, and it will stand any climate. American ash is cheaper and cleaner-looking, but it possesses none of the qualities mentioned. It is imported already kiln-dried, with the " life " of the wood destroyed,
making it very susceptible to atmospheric changes. It will stand -quite well in . dry heat, but in a humid "climate such as ours it will expand and shrink alternately according to the weather and will rOt in a comparatively 'short period: There is a ' variety of woods used in the construction of commercial motor bodies, and to go into the 'merits and demerits of them all would fill a book.
those chiefly used are, in addition to those Already ,mentioned: , birch, elm, teak, 'mahogany of many • kinds. (some doubtful), whitewood, pitch pine -and, lately; Oregon pine and magnolia. It is regrettable to notice that in some quarters the latter is being described as "magnolia whitewood," a description which might easily deceive. It resembles whitewood in colour only ; is a much coarser wood and by no means so durable.
The Advantage of Oregon Pine.
Oregon pine is now extensively used for bottom boards in place of yellow deal. It is a change for the better, being just as cheap and, being hard and tough, ft will stand far more wear than yellow deal.
Elm is a wood which thrives on dampness, and for the flooring of any vehicles required to carry wet merchandise no better wood can -be used. The only disadvantage to an elm floor is its weight. A floor of ordinary deal would probably save a weight of 50 per cent, compared with elm. But, as the density of wood is a sure inclieation of its strength, that is to say, the 'heavier the wood (no matter which species) the stronger it is, it can easily be imagined that an elm floor is, in the long run, the more econornieal.
Teak is considered by some authorities to be better even than English -ash for the :construction of those bodies going to hot countries, as itseldom -shrinks. It could be used for almost any part of a commercial body, as it is hard, tough and reliable wood. However, it is one of the most expensive woods Mahogany, in its many species, is still the wood mostly favoured for panelling, although to some extent it has been superseded by mahogany-faced plywood; • The latter is cheaper and lighter, and from the bodybuilders' point of view has the advantage inasmuch as it is not so liable to split. But solid mahogany will, of course, stand the heavy wear and tear of commercial work for a far greater period than plywood. Many species of Wood have been introduced to this country as "mahogany," but After severe trials all have died a natural death, and the original brands, Spanish and Honduras. are still unsurpassed for quality and beauty.
The latest addition to the mahogany world is "American mahogany." 001
This description is applied to the wood coming from the Philippines and Braid, and there has been much controversy in the trade in this country and in America as to whether the wood really is mahogany. Both brands look like mahogany, with opposite characteristics. Philippine wood is clean, straight-grained and light of weight, whilst the Brazilian variety is almost as heavy as stone and very curly. However; both are cheap woods, but neither has the body of Spanish or Honduras mahogany.
• •
Points in Connection with African Mahogany. Points in Connection with African Mahogany.
African mahogany is the next best to Spanish and Honduras, and When polished it Would take an expert to detect the difference. It is also cheaper and can be obtained in very great widths. Body builders do not favour it. as the grain runs in opposite directions, making it very difficult to plane satisfactorily. The grain meeting the plane irons will tear up, leaving the surface spongy. However, it is a very durable wood and can be well recommended.
For bodies required for light work there is no better panelling material than,American whitewoodnot to be confused, as is s6 often done by people outside the woodworking trades, with white deal. Prime American whitewood is a pure canary colour, with seldom a knot in it, is light of weight, can be obtained in wide boards, and is excellent for polishing and staining. It is inexpensive, but has one great disadvantage: it is very susceptible to dampness.
The use of plywood in every industry where wood is used has increased enormously during recent years, and it is now obtainable in almost any size and thickmess. Comprised of thin layers of different woods pressed together with the grains crossing, the thinnest plywood becomes exceedingly strong, and where lightness of construction combined with strength is the first consideration it has no equal. It will not, however, if exposed, stand hard wear --that is to say, the outer ply would soon chip if sharp cornered packages were thrown against it.
Why Expert Knowledge is Desirable.
There are very few people qualined to choose exactly the right timber for any particular job, as that qualification can only be gained after y ears of .experience and study, but that is no reason why buyers should accept a body built of inferior wood. The seller should be made to state in writing the woods of which the body will be built, and the buyer should see for himself the work in course of construction. Shoul4 be have no knowledge whatever of timber, he should obtain the advice of someone who has and he will find the trouble, and, perhaps, a little extra expense, to be well worth the while, for there is no commodity in the world se easily foisted on to the uninitiated as defective
timber. A TIMBER SALESMAN.