Thread: Austalian hardwoods that float

I'd reckon that if a species has a relative density greater than 1 it will sink and if it has a RD less than1 it will float
Thing with burl is bark inclusions, voids and what not so is more likely to float than sink for a given species

Pete

The problem with dry naked wood used in water is that while it may float when first put into water that does not not mean it will continue to float if it becomes water logged.

How about timber that is used in the Australian boat building industry ?

PS. oops , scratch that , I forgot about Australia One

Australian Hardwood Network

Has some density information. Water has a relative density of approximately 1. Salt water is a little higher so your generally more bouyant in salt water than fresh. GD is green density and essentially what it would be if water logged. ADD is typically 12% moisture I think, unless they have changed the spec.

White cypress isn't a hardwood but it is strong and durable, water weather and pest resistant and would float.

Good luck. Have fun

Thanks guys,

I was thinking along the lines of greater than 1 would sink.
BobL- I plan to seal the timber so hope the water log problem wont be a problem

Assuming you use dried timber lets say 800 kg/m^3, about 80% of it will be underwater. So don't expect them to float like styrofoam. western red cedar, paulownia, balsa are very low density, but not native australian. Australian red cedar is, but isn't a hardwood. etc etc...

Obviously the sealer should be water and UV proof. Many things don't do both, epoxy for example is water proof but breaks down in prolonged uv exposure.

Thanks damian,

This info gives me something to work with. Now just need to surf the web for a chart that lists different timber and there density

Scott

huon would work,although the fish may not like the taste