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Another wood species question…

Sethbenjamin | Posted in General Discussion on March 15, 2004 02:27am

In the last two issues of Fine Woodworking, I found myself eyeing examples of spalted maple. Where does the name come from, and does anyone know its availability as lumber vs. plywood and its relative expense? It’s the most beautiful stuf I’ve seen since the chesnut trim in my apartment.

…Speaking of which, I know chesnut was fairly wel blighted out of existence, but is there a source for reclaimed or recycled chesnut out there?

Thanx,

 – Benjamin Miner

“There’s never time to do it right, but there’s always time to do it over.”

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  1. gdavis62 | Mar 15, 2004 02:48am | #1

    Spalted wood comes from trees and stumps that have begun to decay.  No one makes plywood or veneers from it.  There is a time limit on the workable and usable condition of the wood, because the "spalting" effect is present in earlier stages, before the decay eats the structure of the wood.  When you see a piece in a magazine made with spalted wood, the lumber is likely sourced and cut and processed completely by the artist/woodworker, or done for him or her by a boutique sawmill.

  2. trimnailer37 | Mar 15, 2004 04:41am | #2

    as david bowie called it, "a voice like sand and glue". never speak ill of the bob. the bob is pure light and energy.

  3. WorkshopJon | Mar 15, 2004 05:24am | #3

    Seth,

    Hope this link helps.  Mucho info about wood.

    http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

    Jon

  4. MisterT | Mar 15, 2004 01:13pm | #4

    Let's have a sing along...

    Every one plug thier nose and sing with me....

    Like a Roooollling Stoooooone......

    Mr T

    Happiness is a cold wet nose

    GO ORANGEMEN!!!

  5. User avater
    goldhiller | Mar 15, 2004 04:35pm | #5

    I've got about 120 bd. ft. of highly figured spalted maple that as sound as can be. Used about that much of the stash already. Mostly sized around 1 x 10. Stumbled onto the stuff about 20 years ago at a local mill and bought it all. And it is gorgeous. Dirt cheap at that time, too.

    Last time I was at the nearest sawmill (about three weeks ago) they had maybe 40 bd. ft of the same and wanted $14.00 a bd ft. for it.

    Here's one way to get spalted wood.

    MAKE YOUR OWN SPALTED WOOD

    http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=13882.1

    Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.



    Edited 3/15/2004 9:47 am ET by GOLDHILLER

  6. User avater
    goldhiller | Mar 15, 2004 04:58pm | #6

    Ah yes. Mr. Dylan. Poor sucker's been relegated to doing "lesser venues". Last fall, he and what remains of the Dead did a show at a nearby.............. dragstrip!!! I didn't attend as I didn't want to see that.

    One of the more memorable concerts I attended in my formative years was the Dylan and The Band concert in Denver back around '74 (?). A friend got us tickets and sprung it on me the day of the show. I was stunned. Usher looks at the tickets and starts leading us to our seats. Down to the main floor of the coliseum. Finally points us to the seats. 4th row center......right on the aisle. That's a show I'll never forget. Played till 4 A.M.

    Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
  7. mapleheart | Mar 15, 2004 05:10pm | #7

    Hi

    Thought I would give you some info on spalted maple. Yes it is nice looking and some mills will sell it to you at a big price but if you are looking for a good supply of it cheap buy a skid of pallet lumber or tell the mill you would like to buy cut offs for firewood and don't mention what you are really looking for.

    In hardwood lumber grades spalted is considered a defect and is usally put through the chipper or will go into the lower grades with frame stock and pallet. You would be shocked at the amount that is tossed out, burnt or chipped.

    Hope this helps you.

    Shaun

    MapleHeart Lumber 

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