A aviation & planes forum. AviationBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AviationBanter forum » rec.aviation newsgroups » Home Built
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Douglas fir vs sitka spruce



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old September 19th 17, 07:11 PM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Douglas fir vs sitka spruce

On Monday, February 13, 1995 at 11:58:24 AM UTC-5, Stephen Eldredge wrote:
In article (Kurt da' Squirt) writes:
From:
(Kurt da' Squirt)
Subject: Douglas fir vs sitka spruce
Date: 13 Feb 1995 01:47:49 -0700
Keywords: wood
I have been thinking a bit about wood planes. And have often
heard that douglas fir can be used in place of spruce in certain areas of
a plane in order to reduce costs. Just what areas?
Spars?
fuselage?


According to the FAR's if fir is up to spec it can be used in any area that
spruce is used.

Wing ribs?
From what I remember, (if that is right) douglas fir of the same
dimentions, is heavier, and slightly stornger than spruce.


Fir is about 25% heavier and about 21% stronger than Sitka Spruce.

I am just wondering in which areas of construction douglas fir could be
used, whithout violating some reasonable conventions of safety. And also
just how much you would save in money and gain in weight, if you used as
much douglas fir as would be resonable. Its just that spruce seems so


Cost savings varies, but if you can find a good deal on fir it can save you
up to 80%.

Gordon Nichol
Steve Eldredge


Some years ago, I built a Corben Jr. Ace. Open cockpit, fabric covered sport plane from 1929. I read everything the EAA had on wood and wood substitutions. In the end, I found my local lumber yard had some terrific Doug Fir in long lengths with tight, straight running grain.
I used it for the spars, I ripped it into the 1/4" x 1/4" strips I needed to build the ribs and everything else where Sitka was called for.
The FAA inspector told me it was way better than almost all the Sitka he's seeing these days.
Go ahead and use it.
Brian
Michigan
  #2  
Old September 20th 17, 03:47 AM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 155
Default Douglas fir vs sitka spruce

On Tue, 19 Sep 2017 11:11:50 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Monday, February 13, 1995 at 11:58:24 AM UTC-5, Stephen Eldredge wrote:
In article
(Kurt da' Squirt) writes:
From:
(Kurt da' Squirt)
Subject: Douglas fir vs sitka spruce
Date: 13 Feb 1995 01:47:49 -0700
Keywords: wood
I have been thinking a bit about wood planes. And have often
heard that douglas fir can be used in place of spruce in certain areas of
a plane in order to reduce costs. Just what areas?
Spars?
fuselage?


According to the FAR's if fir is up to spec it can be used in any area that
spruce is used.

Wing ribs?
From what I remember, (if that is right) douglas fir of the same
dimentions, is heavier, and slightly stornger than spruce.


Fir is about 25% heavier and about 21% stronger than Sitka Spruce.

I am just wondering in which areas of construction douglas fir could be
used, whithout violating some reasonable conventions of safety. And also
just how much you would save in money and gain in weight, if you used as
much douglas fir as would be resonable. Its just that spruce seems so


Cost savings varies, but if you can find a good deal on fir it can save you
up to 80%.

Gordon Nichol
Steve Eldredge


Some years ago, I built a Corben Jr. Ace. Open cockpit, fabric covered sport plane from 1929. I read everything the EAA had on wood and wood substitutions. In the end, I found my local lumber yard had some terrific Doug Fir in long lengths with tight, straight running grain.
I used it for the spars, I ripped it into the 1/4" x 1/4" strips I needed to build the ribs and everything else where Sitka was called for.
The FAA inspector told me it was way better than almost all the Sitka he's seeing these days.
Go ahead and use it.
Brian
Michigan

Just make sure it meets all the other requirements - good close
straight grain etc.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
T-34 (3) @ Spruce Creek - Navy(3) Spruce Creek 2010 (Custom).jpg Glen in Orlando Aviation Photos 0 April 30th 10 11:14 AM
P-51 (2) Spruce Creek - E Pluribus Unum Spruce Creek (Custom).jpg Glen in Orlando Aviation Photos 0 April 30th 10 11:08 AM
P-51 @ Spruce Creek - P51 E Pluribus Unum Spruce Creek (Custom).jpg Glen in Orlando Aviation Photos 0 April 30th 10 11:07 AM
sitka spruce al pernell Home Built 43 February 26th 04 12:02 AM
Doug Fir vs: Sitka Spruce Lou Parker Home Built 40 November 10th 03 06:36 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AviationBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.