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Your
Frequently Asked Questions, answered by Rupert
Goodall
Architecture
Marine
Hobbyist
Specialist
Timber Uses
Composite Timber Products
Miscellaneous
ARCHITECTURE
Wall panelling
Can timber wall panelling be applied directly onto plastered
walls? Traditionally wall panelling has been produced in 12mm
(0.5 inch) thickness to varying widths in a range of tongue
and groove (T&G) profiles. In this semi structural format,
it was normally applied to the timber framing and not directly
onto plasterboard.
This
is fine in a new build situation. In renovation projects where
plasterboard is already in situ, it would be advantageous
to apply wall panelling directly onto plasterboard. Providing
the plasterboard is dry and appropriate adhesives are chosen,
this is quite acceptable.
Necessity
has yet again been the mother of invention; driven by the
demands of composite marine technology, we are now producing
wall panelling and flooring 3 to 4mm in thickness and a similar
range of widths. Such products can be applied to a range of
sub striates, again with the correct choice of adhesives.
This methodology is time and dollar efficient, easy to install
and which respects the wonderful resource we are using.
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What
about laminated, solid timber bench tops?
We regularly receive enquiries from people renovating
kitchens vanities, tables, etc. These customers have functional
but aesthetically dated surfaces manufactured in the 1970s
and 1980s from products we no longer live with comfortably.
Many
of us would love to have a wonderful, solid timber bench tops
but simply cannot afford the expense. Historically, kitchen
renovations meant discarding old work surfaces and replacing
them with solid timber bench tops. We are now producing laminated
bench tops 6mm (0.25 inch) thick that can be suitably adhered
to the existing work surface. A front mould can be applied
to further create the appearance of a thick solid timber bench
top. This provides an efficient, economical and lasting solution
and can be applied to a whole range surfaces, such as cabinet
refacing and tabletops.
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MARINE
What species of timber is recommended for marine environments?
That depends on whether we are dealing with external or
internal timber applications, above or below the water line,
tropical or temperate climates. These factors have a major
impact on the choice of timber.
Additionally,
we have a diverse range of plastic/glass based coating and
coverings to improve on the natural durability qualities of
this timber.
This
point, I believe is significant. So much literature from which
we build timber projects often recommends timbers that are
difficult and expensive to locate. Early designers based timber
selection to a greater extent on passed-down knowledge of
shipwrights and the timber available in the forest of their
country.
The
global knowledge and movement of timber today should incline
modern designers to offer international timber selections.
There are dozens of good publications to help you in such
situations and we are delighted to suggest alternative timbers
to suit the application.
Being
aware of available timber species with similar characteristics,
especially when used with modern coatings and coverings provides
us with a more available and economical solution.
The
nature of marine design often requires long lengths of timber
and large end sections; again similar species/characteristics,
in conjunction with coatings, allows the use of other species.
In some instances the length and size as stipulated on plans
is simply unavailable, in which case we have consider methods
of manufacturing via laminating and scarfing.
The
subject in question is both diverse and interesting. Keep
checking back to this page for further updates on this subject.
Definitions:
Laminated - applied to members that are built up to
the required sizes by several thin layers or parallel sections.
Scarfing - scarf joints are the strongest type of glued
end joint because the length of scarf reduces the weakening
effect of butted end grain. The flatter the slope, the stronger
the join: a slope of 1 in 12 could give a joint strength 85-90
per cent than that of the clear timber while a 1 in 5 slope
reduces this to about 60 per cent. The slopes subject to compression
should not be steeper than 1 in 5, to tension 1 in 10. The
aim of low slop, small lands (the amount necessary end grain
for machining purposes) and smooth and accurate surfacing
is not easy to achieve in practice. The join needs very careful
handling until the glue is cured.
Timber Characteristics
Alternatives to Teak (tectona grandis):
The wonderful qualities of Burmese Teak is well known to marine
enthusiasts around the world - enviable work qualities, high
resistance to movement and pleasant aesthetics still make
it a number one choice for external applications. We all know
the equation of supply and demand and the outcome when demand
outstrips supply. With a good knowledge of Pacific Rim and
African timbers we can suggest three other possibilities in
lieu of teaks as follows:
White
Beech (Gmelina) - Papua New Guinea, Coastal Rainforest
North East Australia.
Classified as a hardwood with a similar density to teak -
its naturally oily composition, stability and easy to work
characteristics - have for generations made it an obvious
choice. Although more blonde than the honey gold of teak,
with prolonged exposure both timbers assume a distinguished
silver-grey colouration.
Rosewood
(Pterocarpus indicus) - Papua New Guinea
A medium-sized hardwood of scattered occurrence in south-east
Asia and the Philippines. Heartwood can be either a golden
brown or a dark blood-red. Similar density to teak, texture
medium and grain variable and often highly figured. Durability
classification 1 - excellent for all external applications.
(Rupert has used Rosewood on his own Moreton Bay cruiser boat
and it is proving to stand up to the harsh Queensland climate).
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HOBBYIST
or Non-Professional Timber Users
I’m
avoiding the term amateur, as the quality of work and scale
of some projects does not deserve such a humble category.
Yesterday a retired gentleman came in for some timber suitable
for a rocking horse base, he mentioned that he would be carving
some of the structure and wondered what I may recommend. We
kicked around several prospects, sharpened a chisel and eventually
settled for Queensland Maple. During this process several
photographs were offered showing both creativity and accurate
work. In many ways these occasions provide me the most satisfaction.
Other
‘hobbyist’ walk into my office and describe the
impending project they are researching; a 12 metre yacht,
a dining table, chairs and a sideboard, a jewellery box, a
guitar. It’s great to sit down and go through the design
and work out just how this simple drawing can actually be
built and then have a fossick around the facility to pick
out some interesting stock. The finished products and photographs
provides great feedback for our talented staff to see just
what all those components became. It also allows us to learn
about difficulties you may experience and discuss how we can
provide a better service in the future - any form of feedback
is welcomed.
We are
happy to cater for small jobs as this is a good opportunity
for us to use up short end stock. Our joinery shop allows
us to split timber into ANY size you can imagine, so don’t
be limited by traditional sizes.
We try
to dovetail into your workshop and skill level by providing
timber prepared to a point that you can complete the project
in good style, for example, some customers will ask us to
make up a table top, trim to size and put through our wide
belt sander, to achieve a consistent flat surface which is
very difficult to do at home. In this way you end up with
a well built table and can be proud of your workmanship. There
is nothing worse than a table top that is not flat and even.
We transport kits all over Australia.
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SPECIALIST
TIMBER USES
In many way we are all specialist users of timber, however,
I suppose this section is designed for people who may make
musical instruments, shooting bows, wood carvers, model makers,
aeroplane makers, boat builders, Malibu surf boards etc.
Our wide
range of stock provides us the opportunity of supplying to
all these markets. We regularly cut thin (2mm) strips of Canadian
Rock Maple for composite bow makers and musical instrument
components, i.e. sound boards from Sikta Spruce and finger
boards from Ebony or other hardwearing timbers. Builders of
light aeroplanes appreciate the opportunity to pick through
large stocks of clear grade Hoop Pine or Sikta Spruce.
Model
makers have never seen such large sections of Balsa Wood,
up to 11 feet long. The balsa is also used by builders of
traditional Malibu surfboards and we regularly epoxy glue
Malibu blanks with various configurations of stringers.
Wood carvers
can choose between a range of suitable stock depending on
skill level, Maple, Jelutong, Huon Pine and White Beech are
amongst the favorites. We occasionally glue up very large
blocks as seen in the photo - a block of Obeche 700mm square
or 28 inches square - used in the production of the movie
Peter Pan, filmed in 2002 on the Gold Coast.
Boat restoration
and construction often requires well chosen stock to maximize
the life of timber, not to mention some interesting components
we are able to manufacture, anything from teak decks to bow
sprits to complete timber boat kits.
We are
fortunate indeed to have such a broad customer base, as this
certainly means for very few dull moments in the factory and
provides us all with a broad range of experience with timber,
not to mention meeting so many other experienced users of
timber from whom we can learn some new tricks.
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