elm?

[hoochiepapa]

I have a plank of elm big enough for a handle to my spike hawk. Will it suffice? I could not find any hickory in my stash.

 

[necchi]

Should work for a handle,
Around here some call it "Poor Man's Oak" because the grain and finished patterns can be like Red Oak.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Thanks! I will continue planing!

 

[crockett]

Elm is supposed to be tough to split(Firewood) so it ought to work ok.

 

[Rev_William]

I have a nieghbor taking down an old elm how do you think it would work for a stock?

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have a nieghbor taking down an old elm how do you think it would work for a stock?

One chart I found http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_wood.htm
puts it at about the same density as maple and oak.
However, I have to wonder why we don't hear about it being used for stocks. :hmm:

 

[David Shaw]

It is tough to split believe me.I have personal experience.

 

[Black Hand]

It is very porous with a wide grain. I remember it being extremely heavy, but the stuff I had was green at the time.

 

[hoochiepapa]

I've been planing on this stick for a while, and it cuts and looks like walnut. It has dried for about 10 years, has not checked hardly at all. The stick I have is about 24 inches long and 3X3, and is very light.

 

[omarick1948]

There are a lot of different types of elm! __ That might be a factor, if usable for a gun stock! ....
:idunno:

 

[newtewsmoke]

chinese elm= :barf:

 

[fatboy]

I have seen elm used on some military comm block rifles

 

[ohio ramrod]

Splitting elm is a matter of knowing the grain and being on good terms with the spirit of the wood. I find most elm splits easily by splitting "around " the piece. Placing your wedges between the rings. NEVER across the center. While this will split most elm some pieces have a "binding spirit " and just doesn't split! Which is why elm was a prefered choice for beams in post and beam construction. The beams would be cut and framed green and any cracks as the beam dried did little to weaken the beam since the "stringy fibers" of the elm held the beam solid. :idunno:

 

[hawk]

It is tough to split believe me.I have personal experience.

Grampa said "Its the wood that warms you twice!"

One 'ell of a handle wood though

 

[David Shaw]

Binding spirit :rotf: . That is the absolute truth.

 

[David Shaw]

Yep, heard that one before.