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Would like to do some sand blasted signs and as HDU doesn't seem to be an option here (availability) will use timber. Wood of choice in USA from posts here seems to be redwood, so what makes redwood the best? Is it a soft, medium or hardwood? Short or long grain? No knots? Would appreciate any info as it would cut down on experimenting with Australian timbers. Print Wright Gladstone Queensland Australia
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Posts: 119 | From: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Hey Print, Is that your name? Redwood is getting pretty scarce and expensive as well. It is the first choice of signmakers. It is a softwood, real tight grain, clear heartwood has no knots. Costruction grade will have knots.
Cedar is the next choice. Preferably kiln dried western red cedar. Another softwood, grain is more open.
Are either of these available in your country? There may be an alternative wood in your area. It should be a softwood (easier to sandblast) and bug and rot resistant.
Cheers and good luck!
------------------ Robert Thomas Creative Signs In Beautiful Naples, Fl.
Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I live in the redwoods. They hold up well here. I'd think you'd do well with a native lumber because of the stability factor. Is there a lumber there that folks can build a house from that will last a long time with no paint? Try blasting some of your local woods making samples. Try some with tight grain and some slash grain. I seldom use the vertical grain redwood finding the finished appearance rather boring. I look for some swirls in the grain and small birds eyes. Cut a bunch of sample squares and please report back to us.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Gday Kerry (?) I can recommend a specialist cabinet timber supplier down here if you need to pick and brains about Australian species. They donated a heap of pieces from several varieties for the meet I hosted in '98. Very helpful and there is not a lot they don't know about timber. They also pretty much have the market for cabinet and exotic timbers cornered, chances are whatever you wind up buying will have come from them anyway. Moxon & Co. 133 Hyde Rd. Yeronga Ph 3848 7755 F 3892 4039 For what its worth, I read one too many signcrafts once upon a time and had a go at a carved sign for the hell of it using some red cedar that I laminated. It carved like butter so I imagine it would blast easily, but I wouldnt be able to tell you how stable it is outdoors although I would imagine it isnt too bad. Enjoy, David
------------------ D.A. & P.M. Fisher Signwriting Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
[This message has been edited by David Fisher (edited October 11, 2000).]
Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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What are the characteristics of that Melaleuca wood or Eucaliptus y'all have? Redwood is very durable and stable. I'm with Rick, I like to see ripples, bird's eyes and knots in my sandblasted wood signs. I used to blast a lot of "heart B" redwood. It had a lot of nice knots and was always solid red heartwood.
------------------ Wayne Webb Webb Sign Studio,Inc. creators of "woodesigns" "autograph your work with excellence" webbsignstudio@digitalexp.com
Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Hi Print how are you?. I have had no problems using western red cedar painted with good quality acryllics (Viponds). One of the more interesting woods I have used is Sirrian? Ithink that is the name. It comes from south east asia. Burma I think. It has lots of lovely little knots throughout that the grain waves away from after blasting. Hope that helps. If not email me and I will find a photo and email you a jpg.
------------------ Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesig@dingoblue.net.au Downunder "Those who have suceeded at anything and not mentioned luck are kidding themselves" - Larry King;)
Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks for all the info. Makes a difference knowing what to look out for. Suspected that eucalyptus types wouldn't be suitable - too hard. David, the Red Cedar should be OK outside. Had a boat built out of red cedar (North Queensland) which lasted well except borers considered it real tasty. Kerry Wright Print Wright Qld Australia
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Posts: 119 | From: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Print,Since I have no real Idea what kind of redwood is available to you, it is difficult to make too many recommendations.
I have to disagree with one post here ...In 35 years of messing with redwood I have never seen it shrink or crack...it is in fact the most stable wood I have ever used.
We use all verticle grain clear heart redwood,it gives the nicest look and blasts the best because the pulp is exposed to you between the growth rings.(In Oklahoma U.S.A. it runs about $9.85 a board foot,or about $20.00 a running foot for 2"x 12" material.)
If verticle grain is not available where you are, you can accomplish the same task by laminating 4"x4" posts with grain edge exposed,if you do this a construction grade is acceptable (I would recommend you use "all thread" rod to hold it together instead of using clamps and gluing it with "resourcinol"(good exterior glue)Be sure to reverse the "wave " of the grain on each post to eliminate warpage.This method is relatively inexpensive (about half the cost of "clear heart")and makes a beautifully thick slab that can even be blasted on both sides (there's a bonus)
"werks fer me ,it'll werk fer you"
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
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