Thread: timber sample collection

queensland kauri

AKA
Queensland Kauri Pine
Kauri Pine
Kauri

There are 3 different species.

Kauri Agathis atropurpurea
Kauri Agathis microstachya
Kauri Agathis robusta

I have some but it had already been cut down so I don't know which one it is.
It also has some spalt in it in places.

Wish I'd read this this morning John; could have added some Hakea to the parcels of NIP that went off today.

Anyway, I'll check the bank for the size you want. The stuff is hellish hard to dry in any size without cracking.

I could send you some Cooktown Ironwood if that the one your after.

Reeves,
what "ti tree" do you want? I've got some Melaleuca Leucadendron. The stuff they get the oil from is Melaleuca Alternifolia but it's only a shrubby little thing (AFAIK)

Mick

Originally Posted by rsser

Wish I'd read this this morning John; could have added some Hakea to the parcels of NIP that went off today.

Anyway, I'll check the bank for the size you want. The stuff is hellish hard to dry in any size without cracking.

hey thats cool rsser i appreciate the trade on the NIP, we can get to the hakea later, i may be able to find some up this way.

Cliff, ironwood, Mick, thanks for the response, Cliff,. all 3 species owuld probably be good for the collection tho its up to u what u wanna trade,. Mick what latin name does yr ironwood have ?

Any pics would be appreciated and please let me know what u may be interested in trading.

thanks
john

Reeves,
not collecting timber samples (yet ), may happen in the future. PM me your address (and required sizes) if you want it.

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Reeves,
not collecting timber samples (yet ), may happen in the future.
Mick

yes i can see it coming on Mick. What happened for me is that i sitting around one day looking at the various chunks of wood i have collected and realized i didnt really know exactly what each wood was, most of them but not all and i decided to make some sample sizes so i could identify them and also have them easily access accessible, i figured i had about 30 different species at hand.

I checked with the wood collectors society and found that standard sample sizing is 6X3X1 and started cutting some pieces and finishing them, oil one side, bare the other so u can see both the finished look and naked wood. After a while i realised i had over 70 different species and some need need multiple samples for plain, figured or burl versions of the same wood. Some locals like Andy mac donated some other species and now my maple collection is about 100 species. I hadnt done much iwth it for a while so i have now decided to try and beef it up a but by collecting some species i dont yet have.

I can see this kind of thing becoming quite obsessive but have so far resisted getting 'too' far into it. I have been trying to keep it based around wood that is actually useful to wood workers but there heaps of other species that just have interesting wood or even plain boring wood that represents a local tree. Its the kind of project that has no end i guess.

I have found the exercise really useful for a number of things..
1) just collating and getting the latin names right for the woods i have
2)learning about the properties of various woods
3)choosing woods for projects based on color and consistency
4)great talking point when other woodies come over...!
5)very good for non woodies, can take some time to look through them all
6)general education value, broadening my wood knowledge and anyone elses who looks thorugh the collection
7)'very' useful for wood ID purposes, have been able to identify several species that people dunno what they are by having a verified sample to compare, can solve many arguements
8) just plain intriuging, at the last Brissie wood show i spent a 'lot' of time hanging out at the wood collectors stand and the HIghfields show...having wood i samples allows easy browsing and comparing, can go on for hours...i have discovered that the most figured wood in Oz is the Mallee root or burl, the hardest is most likley the black oak or Belah but many are close
9) the exercise just increases overall wood awareness, consumes hours and exercies the mind..
10)gives new ways to annoy SWMBO, new bedroom converstation " can you rub my feet?" to woody husband sitting there going through his box of samples..er yes just let me know if you think the white and dark rosewood samples are both dysloxylum frasernium, they smell the same but the bark and color are very different...ok the feet er sorry...;-)

With a few more samples <?> i hope to compile data and scan the samples to produce an ebook/pdf of useful aussie timbers and their properties this may take a while yet but i figure i can use my collection in a useful manner

cheeeers
john

I wasn't aware of the 'standard sample' bit and started turning 'eggs' from each of my timbers because the shape shows off all aspects of the grain - didn't realise just how many I had! Currently 66 (pictures a bit old) and I still have about another dozen or so I haven't turned yet.
Wouldn't mind doing some trading - PM comin' at ya' with the list so far.

A bloke called Peter Foxwell in Townsville has the best collection of turned eggs I have ever seen.

hey cool eggs mate, thanks for the pic i like how they show the grain i have turned a few but for practical purposes (putting name stickers on them etc) i keep the samples in rectangular form

check out

http://www.woodcollectors.org/

cheeeeeeers
john

Hey Cliffie, Peter has now retired so you can imagine how the collection will grow with that extra time available to him,
coming up soon to get a load of macadamia, and lychee timber and I hope to catch up with you,
regards
richard.

I'm back, phones & internet have been off for a week, what did I miss?

Richard, I'll PM you my details.

John, your Kauri Pine was sliced up last night & will be in the mail tomorrow.

Just wanna say many thanks to those of you who have contributed some samples via sending and trading. My sample collection has increased by over 20 species and your response is very much appreciated.

Cheeers for that guys...!

Am still looking for some lignum vitae and turpentine...


cheeeeers
john

Originally Posted by reeves

Just wanna say many thanks to those of you who have contributed some ...Am still looking for some lignum vitae and turpentine......

Somebody mentioned cutting down a turpentine in the last couple of days, try a search.