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The Right Timber for Trailers

29th April 1938, Page 39
29th April 1938
Page 39
Page 39, 29th April 1938 — The Right Timber for Trailers
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A Timberman Points Out How Many Different Woods can be Used for the Construction of Trailer Bodies and Gives Details of Some of the Chief Merits of theVarious Species

FROM inquiries received by timber merchants, it is plain that some of the younger generation of commercial-motor bodybuilders is not fully conversant with the woods most suitable for trailer construction. It is also evident that many small traders, perhaps for reasons of economy, are attempting to build their own trailers, and, generally, their knowledge of timber is scanty. Therefore, a little information on the subject may be helpful.

For the framework, use ash in preference to oak. Ash is more resilient, and, although not so tough, it will stand greater bearing stress than oak. English ash is the best; although dear to buy, in the long run it 'paws to use this wood in the construction of any type of vehicle which is going to be subjected to frequent stops and starts.

Merits of American Ash.

American ash is a good second, and, as it is sold in a variety of lengths, widths and thicknesses, already squared-up, the purchaser has no difficulty in obtaining his requirements with a minimum of waste.

American ash, also, is usually to be found in a drier condition, inasmuch as all American hardwoods are kiln dried before exportation, and thus the wood reaches this country ready for immediate use. However, it should be closely examined before using it for such purposes as framework, as sometimes the wood is overdried, making it very brittle. English ash should be used where strength and reliability are the prime factors, although it may be more difficult to work.

A cheap and reliable wood for the framework of lighter vehicles, and one which is so often overlooked; is pitch pine. This wood is usually sound and clean, and the grain straight and even. It is tough and long-grained, has great resistance to water, and is almost immune from atmospheric changes. As well as being an all-round constructional timber, it presents a handsome appearance when polished for decorative purposes. An easy-working wood,. it is comparatively cheap.

Timber for the floor, of course, depends on the purpose for which the trailer will be used. For dry merchandise, builders' plant, etc., there is no better wood than British Columbian pine. This can now be bought cheaper than deal flooring. It is almost free from defects, and will stand harder wear than deal.

If the trailer floor is likely to be subjected to heavy wear, or, perhaps, be used for cattle, oak should be used. Oak flooring, although expensive, is the most economical in the end for rough usage. For a floor that will receive much chafing with heavy packages, maple is the best wood. With friction it will merely polish, and it seems to take on a new hardness.

But whether softwood or hardwood be employed, tongued-andgrooved flooring is preferable, as this type of flooring is both dustproof and draughtproof, which is very necessary for some vehicles.

Lightness an Essential Factor.

Lightness of weight is the prime factor with trailers, and, except for cattle carrying, plywood is the most suitable for the sides and the top. Plywood combines lightness of weight with strength, and, it can be obtained in a size impossible to acquire in solid. wood.

There are now many attractive British plywoods on the market which are as cheap as foreign products. Chief amongst them is British Columbian pine plywood. This has a handsome grain, which shows up with remarkable effect when polished.

Another cheap and serviceable ply

wood of British origin, which is now being largely used for both constructional and decorative work, is sapele mahogany. This is an African wood, light in colour, and frequently figured. Gaboon is another African plywood, which can be obtained in large dimensions, and it is cheap.

If an attractive, " showy " vehicle be required, there are two ply.woods which never fail to arrest attention. They are Australian black bean and Indian laurel wood. Black bean is of a fine dark-walnut colour, beautifully figured, with lighter bands and dark streaks. Some of the wood is prettily mottled. Indian laurel is probably the most handsome plywood made. It has an exceptionally lustrous surface and, in colour and figure, closely resembles Italian walnut. Wax polish should be used.

An Easily Worked Wood.

Should a trailer body more substantial than one built of plywood be required, Parana pine, a wood recently tried with success in motor bodybuilding, may be used. This timber is best described as a cross between deal and pine, Not of such fine texture as yellow pine, yet not so coarse as deal, it is pale yellow in colour, comparatively light in weight, and fairly free from defects. It is an easy-working wood and. can be obtained up to 16 ins. wide.

For interior fittings, shelves, etc., we can with advantage again turn to Empire timber, For this purpose Columbian red cedar is equally as good as deal, and considerably lighter in weight. It is a reddishbrown timber, and may be left in its natural state. Mild in nature, it works easily and its pleasant odour is ob■noxious to insects.

Should a shelf of smart appearance, or striking interior fittings, be required at a low cost, birch, when stained, will so closely resemble mahogany that only an expert could detect the difference. Also, if an unstained clean-looking board be required—one that has to be scrubbed—birch is the wood.

For food-carrying trailers, English sycamore should be u'sed. Light in weight, milk-white and lustrous in appearance, it presents an exceptionally clean surface, obtainable with no other wood, and it imparts no taste. Being tough and hard, it will withstand great wear in the form of chafing and cutting. Sycamore is also capable of taking a high polish.

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