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BRITISH WOODS and BETTER -BODIES

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12th November 1929

Page 202

Page 202, 12th November 1929 — BRITISH WOODS and BETTER -BODIES

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T T is everywhere noticeable that -Iwood consumers in all trades are paying increasing attention to the uses of Empire timbers, and many vehicle owners are, with commendable patriotism, demanding that only British timber shall be used for the bodywork of their vehicles.

Some people may ask why this demand has come so late in the day and, as timber has been a general commodity ever since the world started, infer that British timber must be vastly inferior to foreign woods, or it would before this time have been utilized to a far greater extent. Nothing could be more inaccurate. On the contrary, there are growing within the Empire the finest woods in the world. Why, then, have we only just heard of them?

Surprising as it may seem, the trouble is that few persons outside a timber yard know anything at all about wood, British or foreign, and, what is more, care less. Even amongst woodworkers there are many men, clever enough with their tools, who could not tell you whether they are working on Empire or foreign wood.

However, the timber trade is giving its whole-hearted co-operation in organizing the new business in Empire timbers, and soon there will be no reason why we should have to import from foreign countries nine-tenths of the timber now used in this country. There are several little-known Empire woods which, after practical trials, have been found quite satisfactory in general for the construction of motor bodies, and especially those of the passenger-carrying vehicle. A little general information about these woods, without wading into technicalities, may, therefore, be of interest.

Iacaco. This useful wood comes from West Africa and is sometimes called West African teak. Pale to dark brown in colour, with a fairly open grain, and a surface lustrous and satiny, it is about as hard as oak and very durable. Although it is inclined to be cross-grained it works easily, and when morticed and dove-tailed forms strong and reliable joints. When well seasoned it will not warp or shrink. It takes polish well and is fire resisting. It has a good appearance and is suitable for exposed or inside uses. This wood can be obtained in wide and long planks.

CRABWOOD. Grown in British Guiana, this wood is of the mahogany family and, in general characteristics, closely resembles , the medium qualities of mahogany, for which it can be used as a suitable substitute. Although not quite so B04 hard as mahogany, it is very tough, with a fairly open grain. It also resembles mahogany in colour and has a lustrous appearance. It is easy to work, but requires more than the ordinary amount of care in planing, as the wood is apt to "pick up." As one of the best woods for staining, it is capable of a high finish and polish, and no better wood could be recommended for ornamental-construction work. After successful trials, this wood has been strongly recOmmended for high-class motor-body building.

GURTUN. A native of India, this wood is one of the most useful and promising Empire timbers which have been introduced during recent years into this country. It has already been tried with satisfactory results for use in the construction of all-weather bodies. Pale brown in colour, with a fine firm texture, it has a close even grain, and although moderately hard and heavy, it works well and easily. This wood is of an oily nature, Somewhat like teak, but, unlike that wood, it has a pleasant odour. It is a fine wood for polishing and is excellent for decorative work, it having been successfully employed for railwaycarriage building. It is also useful for any purpose for which a hardwearing timber, free from fibrous grain, is required. Large supplies are available in planks and scantlings up td 30 ft. long, and up to 1 ft. 8 ins, wide, with thicknesses as required.

INDIAN WHITE MAHOGANY. This attractive wood has now been adopted by many leading firms as a standard timber for internal motor-body, work. Yellowish-white in colour, with a lustrous appearance, it is straight grained and remarkably free from defects. It is about equal in weight to ordinary mahogany and works easily and well, affording a smooth silky, surface. Possessing good staining and polishing properties, it will be found valuable for many purposes for which cost will not permit of more expensive and better-class woods being used. It can be ob

tamed in square-edged boards and planks, in long lengths and widths up to 2 ft.

WHITE CHTTGLAM. As another Dative of India, this wood is very durable and remarkable for the fact that it will not twist or shrink —an important advantage, as every woodworker knows. Pale yellowgrey in colour, it has a smooth, wavy grain and a pleasing lustre, giving it a very " showy " appearance. However, the wood is of firm texture and moderately hard. A useful wood for panelling and decor ative purposes. It runs up to about 1 ft. 8 ins. wide.

JARRAH. A world-famOus timber which comes from Western Australia. It is one of the most durable woods known, and, what is more, is almost fireproof. Under great heat stone will crack and metaluwill bend, but jarrah will hardly smoulder. It varies from brick red to dark red in colour, is usually straight-grained (sometimes wavy) and of close texture, is strong and occasionally figured. Its chief drawback is its weight, but for hard wear there are few woods to excel it and it is largely employed for railway-carriage work. Jarrah is not, comparatively speaking, an expensive wood, and it is surprising there is not more of it used in this country,

ICAURI PINE. This valuable light .soft*ood comes from New Zealand,, where it grows to an enor:.

mous height. The Wood is of yellowish 'white or straw Coleur, with an even straight grain, TooderatAy hard for pine, very durable, strong and elasti,e, and of a 'fine close silky appearance. Remarkably free from knots and other defects; It planes up . well and takes a fine polish. Unlike most other woods, it will not absorb water. As well as being a good-wearing wood, the figured and mottled varieties are excellent for 'decorative -purposes. ". It wears verTevenly and does not require, refacing at the same rate as other woods. .Coming from such a distance this wood is expensive, but good value is often obtained, and it is reputed to be one of the best woods for working that a woodworker can take in hand..

The above are just a few of the many useful woods that are grown on British soil. It is astonishing that nearly all British timbers are , employed with success in other countries and yet are so little known and used in this cOuntry. One can only attribute this factor to ignorance or to dilatory methods on the part of our .traders.