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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Victoria
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    24

    Default Is "Tassie Oak" suitable?

    I hope this will not be seen as a rather silly question.
    I am building a project, the body of a "woodie" car, that will be subjected to the weather occasionally. I have got hoop pine ply for the main panels and was going to also use hoop pine for the framing. However when looking at the Australian Standards I have noticed that the wood marketed as "Tasmanian Oak" appears more resistant to weather than hoop pine.
    I would be grateful if someone more knowledgeable than myself could advise me if Tas. Oak would be suitable for the framework if I intend to use a high quality varnish.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Townsville, Nth Qld
    Posts
    4,236

    Default

    Hi EnR, can you please post a photo or drawing of a body of a "woodie" car? I have never come across this term before
    regards,

    Dengy

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    38

    Default

    Hi,EnR. Tasmanian Oak is not generally suitable for external use, but if it is only occasional, and is well maintained with an external grade varnish, it will survive well. It will certainly be more robust than pine.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Here for JillB are some pictures. The second picture shows the type of body I am trying to build.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Townsville, Nth Qld
    Posts
    4,236

    Default

    Ahhh... Thanks for the pics EnR, see what you mean now.
    regards,

    Dengy

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    140

    Default

    Hi, exiting project!
    If you are going to seal it: you can use most timbers, it all depends on the quality of the finish you put on it. Have a look at what they use on boats.
    If not sealed: you do have to be careful which timber you use. Have a look at outdoor furniture timbers. Teak, Cypress, Cedar, Celerytop and more. Then tas oak won't stay very nice.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1,205

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by EnR View Post
    Here for JillB are some pictures. The second picture shows the type of body I am trying to build.

    cool car's did you see american hot rod where byod had the woody rebuilt by the guy who used just basic machines

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    74
    Posts
    1,389

    Default coachwood is what you need.

    Can be bent, was used for coaches etc. in the old days (and aeroplane frames as well.)
    dense, golden in colour.
    Let me know if you want some, I can send some down with Mal to the Melbourne wood show in a month or so.
    Check the markeplace section and you can see a photo of the timber.
    Regards
    Greg

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Deloraine Tasmania
    Age
    59
    Posts
    1,092

    Default

    Awesome looking cars, i particularly like the ute.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Thank you the replies.

    I am interested in using Tassie oak as my nearest supplier is 60 kms away. As far as I can work out anything more "exotic" means a trip to Melbourne which is 350 kms away. (However I am tempted by the coachwood and I'll try to work out more exactly what I need).

    I'm glad that people can see some value in trying to build a vehicle like this. (Gaza; I watched "American Hotrod" but I missed the building of the woody).

    Thanks once again for the feedback.

    Ian

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    74
    Posts
    1,389

    Default freight

    I can always freight it from Sydney if you organize a carrier and sort out how much you need.
    Regards
    Greg

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Southern Highlands
    Age
    70
    Posts
    162

    Default

    I bought a '30 Ford wagon and we call it a woody
    (Surf City, here we come)
    You know it's not very cherry, it's an oldie but a goody
    (Surf City, here we come)
    Well, it ain't got a back seat or a rear window
    But it still gets me where I wanna go

    ;-)

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,551

    Default

    As you are probably aware, Tas oak is not an oak at all. This is just a trade name for three species of eucalypt, all of which are not particularly durable.
    My first trade was as a coach builder and woodies were a regular task. It is extremely important to use a durable timber, both for framing and panels. To rely on a surface coating to afford protection is courting danger. The exterior of a vehicle is subjected to masive climatic extremes, which in turn, test any exposed surfaces. Also unexposed areas are subject to moisture retention, requiring a durable timber. Greg's suggestion of coachwood is a good one. They didnt call it coachwood for nothing. Other durables would include crows ash, huon pine, red cedar king billy pine just to name a few. If this is your first woodie, just be aware there is quite a bit of work required. It would be a waste of effort to use substandard material. Think marine and you should be pretty safe.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    St George area, Sydney
    Age
    65
    Posts
    640

    Default

    I remember the episode of American Hotrod and they had a lot of touble getting the doors to align. They ended up getting a specialist in to do the job which was beyond the skills of the "metal bashers" who always had the option of bog or lead to get things to align because they would be painted anyay.

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