On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 23:26:33 -0400, "Gordon Arnaut"
wrote:

Just to wrap up this thread for those who were seriously interested in wood


Another benefit is that I prefer to mill my own boards to size, which lets
me make best use of the grain direction, slope, etc. When you get a
cardboard tube of wood from a mail-order house, it is a fait accompli --
everything is already cut to size and you must use it regardless of how the
grain pleases you.

I think you guys forget that shipped wood comes in a protective
packing. it isnt sent with the address in texta and a stamp stuck to
the end of the plank.

Queensland Hoop Pine (QHP) is a wonderful timber to use. I am building
a modified Druine Turbulent in what is called recutting grade. there
are enough flaws in the wood that it cant just be milled and used, you
need to cut to avoid the flaws.
to buy the cut QHP for a Corby Starlet was $aus3,200. it is similar to
a turbulent in volume of wood used. to buy locally in Perth you can
get QHP in 14" x 2" planks up to 5 metres long at $aus 96/metre.
a 5 metre plank is a little under $aus500 and yields enough wood to
build all of a single seat aircraft.
my wood is sourced by the brother in law in queensland and comes over
in his ute when he visits. I've run out of wood for the wing spars but
$aus50 has bought all the wood needed for the fuselage and
tailfeathers. plywood is a little over $aus200
an icom A200 radio is $1,200. it is my target to build the entire
aircraft for less than the cost of the radio.I think it can be done.

tools for the job so far are a table saw, a band saw, a little hand
coping saw (gets a lot of use), a pencil, an engineers square, a steel
straight edge, a stanley knife and about 60 of the black nylon clamps
with the orange jaws that you can buy in Home Depot in the USA or
Bunnings in Australia. I'm using FR100 epoxy.

having the courage, and the knowledge, to select and cut the wood
yourself can save a small fortune.

In Australia we use a 1944 emergency wartime standard as the guide to
QHP. Emergency Standard (E)3D.803-1944

Stealth Pilot
Australia