I am considering clear tight grain cypress as a material for my chambered board construction. For the most part because it is native and therefore has personal appeal. It is also relatively plentiful in my neck of the woods. I've gleaned enough from the archives to know that while some woods are lighter than others, there is no right or wrong wood, especially when the end user is self. The question is: Does anyone out there have experience with this wood? Thank you in advance.
No trees were destroyed during this transmission, however numerous electrons were displaced from their orbital shells.
I scored some cypress planks that were sawn from a huge log last year here in Japan. After making the cuts the fruitiest fragrance emanated. I was in heaven. The aroma filled my shop for three weeks. The planks still stand in the corner waiting for the planer. Definitely not the lightest of woods but I’d be deceiving you if I told you I wasn’t itching to sand it.
Dlock, It will be my second project. I've got some white fir reclaimed from gymnasium bleachers that are slated for my first attempt. I'm getting my shop set up at present. Hopefully genetics will come through, my dad was an artist and built a few wood sailboats in the 40's and 50's and my mom's father built wood pleasure-craft for e.g. Hukins and Chris Craft. If genetics fail hopefully they will channel their skills through my hands from the great beyond. They house I grew up in was built (by dad) from rough cut cypress and I can still smell it when I try. Keep in touch with your progress.
Is cypress the same tree as a cypress pine ?.........if it is ,its very heavy and dense . It makes good wearing floor boards and is amuned to termites....very srong scent..I hope yours is different !
I like Cypress, Willow, Hickory, Bamboo and Paulownia because they seem to be similar types of salt water resistant woods. Balsa and other woods will turn black and rot if you get a leak with alot of saturation.
I have a big box of flat cut Cypress and Hickory veneer from the Veneer Store that I haven't tried yet.
I guess Cypress couldn't be any worse than using Obeche
There is a boat building program at two of the local community colleges, but they mostly use plywood or lumber yard materials. The oldschool “Carolina flare” boat guys would strip plank and edge nail juniper(cypress) as the hull skin. Neat stuff, that should work well for a chambered board, it glues really well with epoxy, cuts and planes like butter, and the aroma from working it is pleasant. Show us pics of how you do it.
Pete, I know I was at a non-school wood boat works up in that area, think it must be CF. I will put up images as I get going. Just got to get the rubber wheel on my band saw and fit the new blades, and OH yeah make a template. Got new chargable NiMH AA batteries for the Cannon so I should be able to get some decent stills. Thanks again.