Morris Minor Owners Club

Has any body used different wood for the traveller framing?

I can see mine needing replacing in the future, but ash is one of the most perishable woods going. As a traditional boat builder to trade, oak immediately comes to mind for framing. It can react with ferrous metal to the determent of both, but can be isolated from each other to a great extent by using a layer of chlorinated rubber and even if not would probably last longer than ash.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Although Ash is traditional it was heavily treated on Travellers which is why original timber lasts as well as it does.
I guess Oak is heavier and a bit harder to work.
How about Spotted Gum?
http://www.morganownersclub.com.au/Coac ... ection.pdf

Id never heard of Spotted Gum, sounds good. Not sure if its obtainable in the uk. That’s an interesting article as well. Thanks.

A guy in Stockport did his in cedar too dark for me but wont rot .The man is a retired woodwork teacher so he knew what he was doing

Although ash is not the most durable of woods it was adopted for vehicle bodies because of its combination of strength and lightness. Before fitting a large amount of oak to your mog you would need to consider the increase in weight, and all at the back end.

That’s a good point about the weight, it’s a lot denser than ash.


Well here’s a surprise. Having looked it up Ash & Oak have the same density of 43 lbs a cubic foot.

cedar would last a long time as it is very durable in the wet, but it is very soft and the soft grain does wear out of the timber
cedar sections would have to be increased to get the same strength ratio as ash

Ash is more flexible than oak - one of the reasons it has been used for car bodies for so long.

Ash prices should fall once Ash Dieback takes hold

Andy

We should be stocking up on ash now,then! Newly cut ash is a joy to work with. It's a little known fact that,due to its low water content, ash logs can be burned reasonably successfully without seasoning. One for the pub quiz....