Traveller timber preservation

Post by **daveallgood** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:17 am

Has anyone considered having replacement timber pressure treated prior to putting a finish on it?

Moved to Bodywork - Rogerrust

Post by **MarkyB** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:51 pm

I think it is an excellent idea. The original wood was boiled in Cuprinol which is why it lasts so long.
Any idea of cost and will it leave a green tint?

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:05 pm

MarkyB wrote:The original wood was boiled in Cuprinol which is why it lasts so long.

I heard it was also a better quality timber that is no longer available.

Post by **daveallgood** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:34 pm

I spoke to someone at Jewsons timber yard today to see if they would treat wood which you supplied rather than wood which you bought from them; they'd be quite happy to do this although it would only be when they had a full tank. I didn't ask about the cost because I imagine it would be negligible. It wouldn't leave a green tinge because it's a clear water-based product.
I think it's true that pine which you buy now is generally of inferior quality; plant densely and grow quickly. I've bought plenty of home-grown ash for joinery and cabinet work and I'm not sure how one could say it's inferior to that of fifty years ago. Don't know where Woodies or Traveller Timbers source their ash.
Incidentally, it's claimed that pressure treated timber repells insect attack and decay for between five and ten years longer than untreated.....

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:47 pm

Timber today is from Canada. The reason it doesn't last as long is due to the fact that it is still almost 'green' wood rather than the well seasoned timber of yesteryear.

Post by **daveallgood** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:43 pm

'Timber is from Canada'? Not sure what that's supposed to mean.It's like saying cars are from Japan. I think you'll find that the majority of imported ash is from America and Europe. I'd be interested to know of any timber merchants who import green timber. As far as I know (I might be wrong) it's kiln dried to a moisture content of about 10 per cent and therefore seasoned.

Post by **ani** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:58 pm

It would be a bit sad if new wood was being made from green wood

Fortunately Ash has a relatively low moisture content however if the wood is green there is bound to be an element of shrinkage. Not what people want to be paying for

I wonder what kind of guarantee Woodies and others give when they sell this?
Doesn't affect me as I certainly won't be doing any major replacing but interesting for those buying a whole new set!

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:14 pm

Sorry if my comment has annoyed you Dave,I'm not a timber specialist so only relate what I know about the wood used in the fabrication of traveller frames. I have been informed by Steve at Woodies that they use Canadian Ash, so this is what I have repeated, sorry if its a bit ambiguous for you, but hey ho.
Again, maybe I should be more technical in my terminology but I see timber that has a short kiln dry as inferior a product when compaired to the more traditional methods of seasoning, hence due to, cut time, to seasoned, I see this as green timber. Probably inaccurate to a specialist, but just my opinion.
I do not speak for any other traders dealing with timber and do not expect my comments to be used as speculation as to their working practice or terms and condition of sale.
Thankyou

Post by **ani** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:26 pm

Well explained

I suppose it's the same with everything - what happens today is hardly likely to be the same as it was forty or even fifty years ago.

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:41 pm

air dried timber is still available but at a higher cost of course

there is nothing wrong with kiln seasoned timber if done properly
and it certainly is not inferior or green

also dont forget we did have kiln seasoned timber 40 years ago

Post by **daveallgood** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:09 pm

No need for an apology Jonathan. If anything perhaps I should apologise to you if I sounded a bit stroppy. It's apparant that there are some misconceptions on the subject.
I only posted the question because I was interested to know if anyone had used pressure treated timber and also because I thought that for anyone with a Traveller which needed wood replacing, it might be something worth looking into. That's all.
Dave.

Post by **simmitc** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:44 pm

There was another thread on this subject very recently, and the consensus seemed to be that Ash is a hardwood, and therefore the pressure treatment is not that effective as the preservative does not penetrate very well. I'm not an expert in this, merely repeating from the other thread.