Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Wood Care: => Topic started by: BarryM on May 14, 2009, 05:31:28 pm

Title: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 14, 2009, 05:31:28 pm

Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier of apple wood (strip or sheet not veneer) in the UK? I have combed the internet without success.

Thanks for all assistance

Barry M

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: andygh on May 15, 2009, 02:45:31 am

Don't know if this helps, I've never dealt with them myself

http://www.goodtimber.com/good_timber_index.htm (http://www.goodtimber.com/good_timber_index.htm)

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 15, 2009, 08:49:17 am

Andy,

Thanks for the link. They appear to supply Apple only in part-seasoned logs but I'll follow it up. Irrespective of that the thumbnail descriptions of the wood varieties is always a handy reference to file away.

Cheers

Barry M

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: DickyD on May 15, 2009, 10:28:01 am

I think it is only veneer you will get Barry

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: Bryan Young on May 16, 2009, 04:22:27 pm

Quote from: BarryM on May 14, 2009, 05:31:28 pm

Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier of apple wood (strip or sheet not veneer) in the UK? I have combed the internet without success.

Thanks for all assistance

Barry M

Just a query. Why does it have to be Apple wood? Most of the fruit tree woods are "pale(ish)" and you might fnd Holly is good. I gather that some Aussies also use Privet which sounds interesting. BY.

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 16, 2009, 05:55:37 pm

Bryan,

Because it can be bent quite tightly without breaking, splintering or the need for steaming, has very fine grain, remains strong with  small cross-sections and has a pale colour.

Cheers,

Barry M

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: andygh on May 16, 2009, 11:44:12 pm

Dunno about pale, Holly is almost whie (and it doesn't smell as good as apple wood when it's being worked)

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 17, 2009, 09:23:14 am

Andy,

How is it for bending in small (1/32 x 1/16") sections? Does it need steaming?

Barry M

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: Popeye on May 17, 2009, 11:36:50 am

BarryM,

My favourite supplier, Dennis Nixon, Twigfolly, Attleborough, Norfolk supplies apple plus other exotic sheet and stripwoods - pear, maple, cherry, black walnut etc.,-  in an extensive range of metric and imperial sizes up to 1 metre length. His prices are very reasonable (cheaper than model shops) and service is faaaast.

He will also advise on the most suitable wood for marine modelling applications.

If you  can't find his advert in the marine modelling mags Email me via Mayhem and I'll pass on his phone number ( he doesn't do on-line orders)

Good luck :-))

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 17, 2009, 12:37:34 pm

Thanks Pop - I sent off a letter to Dennis Nixon a couple of days ago in the hope that he could supply apple. Your posting gives me confidence that I will get the reply I'm hoping for. If he can, then he must have cornered the market in this wood. I've searched high and low and the best I could find was an offer of "unseasoned logs". Perhaps it's time to start an orchard and grow my own supply.

Thanks,

Barry M

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: andygh on May 17, 2009, 08:20:28 pm

Quote

Andy,

How is it for bending in small (1/32 x 1/16") sections? Does it need steaming?

Barry M

Sorry Barry, I've never tried bending it

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 19, 2009, 12:08:52 pm

AAARGH!!!!!  >:-o  >:-o  >:-o   Dennis Nixon doesn't sell it either. The search continues. Think I'll start growing my own.

Barry M

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: gribeauval on May 19, 2009, 01:03:00 pm

Try contacting John Boddy Fine Wood and Tool Store at Boroughbridge, North Yorks. If apple is available then they will have it!!

http://www.john-boddys-fwts.co.uk/ (http://www.john-boddys-fwts.co.uk/)

This is the retail arm of one of the biggest growers/merchants of English/Foreign woods in the country.


Mike

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: JayDee on May 19, 2009, 01:03:47 pm

Hello Barry,

I have some Apple wood logs, which were cut from the tree a few weeks ago.
No sign of any rot in the ends, were cut to improve access under the tree.
About 9 inches diameter by 18 long
Any use to you??.

John.

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: andrewh on May 19, 2009, 01:04:05 pm

Barry

For what its worth all americans swear by basswood for bending - it makes very good laminated wingtips, etc (we call it Lime)

If you could give us chapter and verse on what you are bending, we might be able to help, even if we can't let you have any apple ready cut.  
I have about 10Kg of apple branches, about 100 years old, around 3 to 4 inches diameter dry and incredibly dense, but I have never managed to find a bandsaw to slice it up with.  You are very welcome to have it.  I guess it would need to be ripped into say 1/2 inch planks and left another year of so.

I have spend 50 years bending woods for models, and as long as I avoid ramin and obechi I havn't had problems.  You can bend any of God's composites with heat, patience and tension

regards
andrew

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: andrewh on May 19, 2009, 01:07:32 pm

http://www.bellaoneoffs.co.uk/wood/index.htm
they say they have apple

(Hi, Jaydee, how did the hot-goo-veneer go? :})
andrew

Title: Re: Apple Wood - Help Wanted
Post by: BarryM on May 19, 2009, 08:18:14 pm

Sorry Gents but this is where I give up. The source of the original plans and thus my search for apple has advised that he uses apple prunings for his supply.  Thus, lime it will be and steamed if necessary.

My thanks to those who have offered advice and logs but the logistics of the latter and the difficulty of obtaing a supply in less than industrial quantities have led me to change my mind.

Thanks again for all help but it would seem that apple is pretty much a 'grow your own' project. Must try and cultivate a Tree Doctor if the urge for apple returns.  {:-{

Regards to all,

Barry M