Thread: hickory

I thought Ash was the timber of choice for spokes?
Rgds,
Crocy.

Originally Posted by Old Croc

I thought Ash was the timber of choice for spokes?
Rgds,
Crocy.

Ash evidently was used for the felly's Wheelwrights. Ballarat (Soveriegnhill) wheelwrights use Hickory but won't sell us any. thanks anyway.

what about trying Krugers (<cite class="_Rm">Krugers since 1911 - Home) as they sell hickory handles. You may be able to ask for some uncut blocks that meet your required dimensions.</cite>

Originally Posted by Wood Collector

what about trying Krugers (<cite class="_Rm">Krugers since 1911 - Home) as they sell hickory handles. You may be able to ask for some uncut blocks that meet your required dimensions.</cite>

Nup. won't sell me none. I may have found some white oak. Turn's out it may be preferred.

Let me start by saying I know stuff all about wooden wheels. But you mention the Ballarat Wheelrights use Hickory, but what type? Being an Ausy company, could that be the Ausy Hickory (ie Hickory Ash or Flindersia inffiaiana), in lieu of American Hickory. I just question that they would have used imported timbers back then just for wheels when there are plenty of Ausy timbers of equal or better quality.

Thinking outside the square: spotted gum, available everywhere. Northern Silver Ash.. available on order most good timber merchants. Cairns hickory, available if you ask most FNQ saw millers. Jitta, available ex rack stock if you ask me nicely.

all of these have been used for wheel spokes in the past, and all have a history of useage as axe and sledge handles... If you've ever swung one of the 5 lb razor blades that is a racing axe you get how important handle timbers are

Would've thought spotted gum or Sugar gum would be good if not better subsitates, of which both should be readily available in SA

Edit;
What Neil and John said as well, to slow to reply

Look carefully at the grain direction for any sort of run-out = you may need to get something custom cut.
Species: wood anatomy is like finger prints only easier. Species determination will take a few minutes.
As others have said, I'd be surprised if the wood is Hickory = Carya sp., with 4 species in North America.
Any museum pieces that you can examine?

Ash = Fraxinus sp. has the wood anatomy and thus the mechanical and elastic properties to be the spoke wood of choice here.
CSIRO Division of Forest Products would be able to recommend local/native equivalent woods.

Going to do these with spoke shaves? Cut the blank 10cm longer than you need and trim at the end.

Thanks fellas. sorry for taking a few days. Back trouble laid me up for a few days. From what I was led to believe the guys at soverighn hill ballarat use american hickory. Actual species I'm not sure. I have found a local wheelwright who trained in England has paid me a visit and he has suggested oak (Quercus). He was listed on the site I posted on the 8th. The only native timber suggested to me previously was spotted gum which I was going to use if I couldn't find the oak or hickory. Being mostly ignorant on which timber to use for specific tasks I was only looking at timber which was suggested by those I new were in the game. Thanks again for the advice I'll let you know how we go.

what hasn't been mentioned is using riven rather than sawn wood -- will be much stronger

Just To update. I've had a visit from the wheelwright and he reckons the oak I have would do the job if I'm carefull with cutting out to get the straightest grain. For any of those who are interested this fellow is and English trained and certified wheelwright. He is a member of "The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights". Fancy name, Ay.

Oak and spotted gum would probably be much-of-a-muchness. The advantage with hickory is lighter weight. A lot of wood in spokes.

an issue none of us has raised so far

should the spoke wood be kiln dried, air dried, or green?

Hi Tim,
There is a Stand of Hickory just outside of Geelong, Vic.
A Chap wanted to clean up the wood on the floor of the Stand, but he wanted $650 a trailer load, so he knows what he has.
If you need further info, just ask, & I will see what I can do.