Just saw a product called chinese cedar. Actually Paulownia. The sample I saw was 1×6 T & G Finger Jointed – Edge Glued – pre primed – 16 foot (or 18 ) only.
Anybody have any experience with this product?
Thanks,
Bob
Just saw a product called chinese cedar. Actually Paulownia. The sample I saw was 1×6 T & G Finger Jointed – Edge Glued – pre primed – 16 foot (or 18 ) only.
Anybody have any experience with this product?
Thanks,
Bob
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Replies
I've used it. But not from China, I had it sawn at a local mill yrs. ago.
Rot resistant, Lightweight, smells funny, and hard to burn. Very soft.
I did more guitar parts and small uses , never had a use for it outside.
Odd that it would be toungue and groove, like for flooring. The stuff is quite soft, and used a lot by Japanese woodworkers for keepsake boxes.
Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
t & Like in beadboard. Take a look at one suppliers website..if you want...http://www.ubslumber.com
The one sample I have is 1x4. f/j length...2 strips glue up, alternate grain ,width...milled well..primed. Guys at my yard say they have sold a bunch and no complaints.
First the tools, now the wood is from China. When will it all end?
When I was more actively doing Lutherie, Catalpa, and Paulowinia, were being sighted by Japanese in Helo's for purchaseing and shipping overseas.
I had begun using it for both solid body and semi-solid guitars, and my local sawmill guy knew the tree cutters that were hired to harvest these "sighted" trees..they paid top $, and I wound up with the lesser sizes for cheap.
Interesting...
When the Rosewood restrictions took effect, I was Ebonizing Dogwood, for fingerboard stock. Very good local substitute.
I didn't know Catalpa lumber was any good for that sort of thing.
Depends on the resonance one is after. Lightweight is totally diff. than a big fat plank of Mahog. like a Les Paul ( heavy).
Heavy guitars can loved or hated , Swamp Ash is a bit lighter, but some players don't want even that much hanging off the strap. Lots of sustain but tiring after 4 hours of jammin.
Stability, workability of Catalpa is sweet as well. It won't hold hardware if the screw holes are not dead on diameter tho' ( don't ask).
I've only had limited experience with it personally, but my local yard (Seattle) has been carrying Paulownia for one or two years now, I think. The lumber yard is respectable -- it's one of those few that still cater to contractors. I've asked about the Paulownia product a few times, and they've told me the product is being well-received by those who have been using it.
I've seen it preprimed, fingerjointed and edge-glued in standard 1x sizes. One wide face is sanded, the other is left rough. The lengths are 10' and 20', if I recall correctly.
Edited 7/26/2007 7:08 pm ET by Ragnar17
The stuff I've seen sold as "Chinese cedar" is in fact not Paulownia, which is a hardwood and much different
What is generally sold as Chinese cedar is of the genus Cunninghamia, and is a softwood of the cypress family native to the Far East. It's also called Chinese fir or China fir.
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is similar, and is harvested and sold for lumber as well.
As I understand it, both woods are similar in properties to western red cedar.