New Zealand Wood.

[docusk]

Hello again chaps.
Been a while what with my workshop being burgled then my b...y computer crashed and it's been weeks getting it fixed. 3 weeks out for Xmas and ....Ah you don't wanna know!
This is the point. My lady friend and her husband are coming to the UK in May. She wants to bring me some wood from NZ. She's checked with customs and will get it shrink wrapped by the Arborist who trims her tree.
The wood is RIMU. What sort of characteristics does that have? Should she bring disc or plank?
I'm off on Monday to find suitable places for them to stay whilst they are in my town. they have rellies all over the UK so visiting will be their main joy.
Talk to me soon lads and lassies?
docusk

[QC Inspector]

http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/rimu.htm

Found this. Hope it helps.

[artme]

Lucky bugger!! Rimu is beautiful and good to work.

I thought it was not allowed out of NZ any more??

[hughie]

Here you go Docusk this should give some idea on rimu. Its a widely used timber for flooring,stairs,furniture and especially for boat building the heart rimu does not become brittle with age so its excellent for ribs.

http://www.nzwood.co.nz/species/rimu1

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Oceania/New_Zealand/photo188827.htm

http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=rimu&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=_MCgScHjOtjZkAXWtPjSCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title

http://www.careydillon.com/woodworker/

rimu bowl
http://www.ancient-kauris.com/slide0023_image084.jpg

swamp rimu
http://www.ancient-kauris.com/2001_0203_210223AA.JPG

[docusk]

Good morning down under.
Thanks Hughie for the links. Looks good.
She now tells me she has some Camphor wood and Moreton Bay fig.
Can I turn these or use them to mount other turnery on to?
I have to say - what I tell other woodies - this is the best site for real information on our beloved subject. See how many Brits are on board.
docusk

[hughie]

Docusk,

Ask her to get the heart timber from the Camphor, way better colour and the older the tree the better. The box? container is made from an old tree somewhere from 30-60years old. Dunno about Moreton Bay Fig other than they can be huge :o

[Manuka Jock]

docusk ,
My thoughts on you question of disk or plank .
I'd say plank , that is to say , if by plank, you mean that it has not been trimmed into a circular blank.
Reason being , the weight difference between a square and a round is minimal , and with the squared block , is that you get to size it up yourself , and , you get the trimmings as well.

One thing with Rimu .
Although it is technically classified as a softwood due to its cell structure , the heartwood is as hard as the hobs of hell .
It blunts and burns highspeed metal drill bits easier that steel does.

Looks as tho you have a nice collection of wood arriving there mate :2tsup:
have fun in the playroom.

cheers ,
Jock

[docusk]

Thanks again. :2tsup:
I'd forgotten how much I've missed this forum since I haven't been using it due to all my problems.
What a breath of fresh air!

docusk
:U