ctelfer38
Well-Known Member
Following the good advice I have already had, can anyone give me the pros and cons for Spruce ( SITKA) and Pine and any other timber which would be suitable for a mast. Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Re Wooden Mast for a 1938 Classic
- Thread starter ctelfer38
- Start date
Mirelle
N/A
Well, I'll start...
Clear Sitka Spruce:
Pro: It is the lightest timber with suitable strength for the job. It looks good varnished.
Con: Costs a fortune. Hard to find in suitable dimensions. Not very durable.
British Colombian Pine (BCP) aka Douglas Fir:
Pro: Almost as good as Sitka spruce. Considerably cheaper.
Con: Heavier for the same strength. Not very durable.
Now, to some extent, since lignin is lignin, a heavier timber just has the same stuff packed closer together - a point made by Uffa Fox. It is possible to build a hollow pine mast with less wall thickness than a spruce one, so that it weighs only a little more. But the glue surfaces will be smaller, and the process must not be taken too far.
Hope an expert can weigh in at this point...
Clear Sitka Spruce:
Pro: It is the lightest timber with suitable strength for the job. It looks good varnished.
Con: Costs a fortune. Hard to find in suitable dimensions. Not very durable.
British Colombian Pine (BCP) aka Douglas Fir:
Pro: Almost as good as Sitka spruce. Considerably cheaper.
Con: Heavier for the same strength. Not very durable.
Now, to some extent, since lignin is lignin, a heavier timber just has the same stuff packed closer together - a point made by Uffa Fox. It is possible to build a hollow pine mast with less wall thickness than a spruce one, so that it weighs only a little more. But the glue surfaces will be smaller, and the process must not be taken too far.
Hope an expert can weigh in at this point...
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
Hollow columbian pine masts are definitely the way to go, as you say, sitka is an arm and three legs!!
Hollow masts, cut, laid and glued properly are very very strong.
I cant remember the name of the company that makes them out of strip, glued, they are wonderful bits of kit, but I bet not cheap!!
Hollow masts, cut, laid and glued properly are very very strong.
I cant remember the name of the company that makes them out of strip, glued, they are wonderful bits of kit, but I bet not cheap!!
Mirelle
N/A
These people I think:
Noble Masts
"A" Shed
Canons Road
Bristol
BS1 5UH(Road Map)
Avon
Tel: 0117 929 7450
Fax: 0117 9256033
Noble Masts
"A" Shed
Canons Road
Bristol
BS1 5UH(Road Map)
Avon
Tel: 0117 929 7450
Fax: 0117 9256033
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
I recall hillyards making their owmn masts,I should imagine even easier now with epoxy glues.Its all in the prep long bench ,cramping devices,treble checking andcleanness.After the shaping is just a question of making patterns for the section required and carefully planing away,dont rush.I made a 35 foot solid mast, and no problems!
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
That's the folks, saw a wondeful piece of there work, on a classic down in Alcudia. Nordwind.
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
I don't think you use epoxy on spar building- uv and heat problems-resorcinol is the way to go ,afaik that is still the case..
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
They do use epoxy, but i agree with you, although resorcinol also has problems, with cold to hot climates, my bruvs mast came apart, after a winter or two in BC, followed by a sail south, had to get a new mast made up in San francisco. Imported the fir from BC, !!!!! That was built with resorcinol, he built the new one with epoxy, seems fine after 15 years.
