rubberwood

Discussion in 'Materials' started by davidcarey, Feb 19, 2012.

  1. davidcarey
    Joined: Apr 2011
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    Location: long holiday

    davidcarey Junior Member

    Rubberwood ( Hevea brasiliensis ) . Has anyone any experience of using this wood for say strip planking ( epoxy sheathed , coated inside ) ?
     
  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Para rubbertree (Hevea brasiliensis) wouldn't be well suited for strip planking, for several reasons. It has all the things you don't want in a strip plank lumber. Some of the high lights are; quite low modulus of elasticity (stiffness), shear strength along the grain is also very low, compressive strength is low, the list goes on.

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    In it's favor, it cuts easily and finishes nicely, but you have to seal it quickly or it can develop a staining. It's all but imposable to use a router on, though, so no bead a cove jobs. It's pretty good as a decorative veneer, but not as structural lumber.
     
  3. davidcarey
    Joined: Apr 2011
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    Location: long holiday

    davidcarey Junior Member

    PAR , thanks for the reply . I was thinking of a small tri dayboat , as a demonstration . Here they do not have different designs , still using the same oruwas and not usually sailing . Last year I tried in vain to get marine ply , suppliers - importers - manufacturers . I had a kitchen cutting board of rubberwood that impressed me with the finish and also the hardness . I also think that as it is not as widely used as maybe it should be price will be lower . It is said to be an ecologically sound wood to use as the lumber is a by-product after rubber production has ended . I have not seen any ply-epoxy boats here for a long time , maybe due to the lack of marine ply in the construction . WRC or marine ply is obviously preferred , but i have to work with what i can get . I have seen though a much larger boat being constructed here with a much lower grade timber , dont think it will see the water though . Have to find an alternative wood .
     
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