Out milling Alder

[Stubby]

1 hour ago, Squaredy said:

Furniture of all sorts. And yes it rots quickly if it stays wet.  Indoor use only.

I thought if kept wet it was ok ?

[Stere]

Used for canal lock gates also apprently

[LeeGray]

2 hours ago, Stubby said:

I thought if kept wet it was ok ?

That’s what I’ve always thought and why I was keeping mine for posts in water

[Squaredy]

22 minutes ago, LeeGray said:

That’s what I’ve always thought and why I was keeping mine for posts in water

Yes that is what the books say, but try using it for a fence post!

 

The point is for rot to take place you need moisture and oxygen.  If you submerge a piece of timber totally it will last a long time, almost any species.  If it simply gets wet and has air around it Alder will rot quickly.

 

Great for indoor use though.

[nepia]

The submerged stumps of Stone Age walkway pilings in the Fens have also been identified as alder.

[Peat]

Lovely stuff! I'm currently panelling a sauna in Alder T&G. Its really beatiful wood and the variety of colour tones makes it look interesting. Also its hard enough that I can bash it together with a rawhide mallet directly on the edge (groove side) without it breaking or denting, which is handy for speed. 

 

Anyone have seasoned Alder planks for sale? Squaredy?

[Gary Prentice]

On 10/09/2018 at 08:32, Stere said:

Also clogs (Wet all time walking in mud).....

I thought that, having a dim memory of being told that at Walkley Clogs at Hebden Bridge. But a search on wikipedia doesn't mention it. Poplar and willow being mentioned only.

[TIMON]

I thought that, having a dim memory of being told that at Walkley Clogs at Hebden Bridge. But a search on wikipedia doesn't mention it. Poplar and willow being mentioned only.

Clogs? Do you go to New Model Army gigs Gary?

[Stere]

Its says alder on wiki

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clog_(British)

 

Quote

Woods

Alder was plentiful and cheap; the tree grows next to streams. The wood is easy to work by hand, but not durable in damp conditions. Like elm it needs to be fully immersed in water for it to be durable. It is quite light, and could be cut into a thick sole without adding too much weight. According to Grew and de Neergaard it is "resilient and extremely durable when wet, [and] has been the favourite material for clog-making in England right up to the present day".^{[11] [12]} It was popular in the hot industries (steel making for example) because replacement woods could be quickly made,^[3] and it was rarely constantly damp. However being relatively soft, it makes a poor dance clog, where sound is important. ^[13] Another disadvantage is that the wood has a tendency to split if taken from the centre of the tree.^[3] So much alder was used for clogs that in parts of Wales it was called Pren Clocsia (Clog Wood) rather than Gwern.^[9]

 

This guy uses alder:

 

 

http://www.treforowenclogmaker.co.uk/

 

Edited September 12, 2018 by Stere

[Gary Prentice]

1 minute ago, Stere said:

Its says alder on wiki

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clog_(British)

I must have been looking at those 'foreign' clogs!