Tree guy just came to give me a quote on disposing of the tree, formerly  
known as Cottonwood.  Nope, sez he, it's a Sycamore.  Here is what  I've 
found so far:
 
Sycamore is a valuable timber tree; its wood is hard, with a twisted  and
coarse grain, but not very strong.  It is used for  furniture,
interior trim, boxes, pulpwood, and particle and fiber  board.  Carey
and Gill rated sycamore as only fair (their lowest rating)  for
fuelwood.
 
and
 
Boxes and crates, Cigar boxes, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Food  
containers, Lumber, Pallets, Paneling , Baskets, Boards, Building materials,  
Casks, Dressed boards, Figured veneer, Interior construction, Packing cases,  
Rough boards/dimension stock, Veneer, Wainscotting
 
and
 
Working Properties for: Platanus occidentalis

Blunting Effect-The wood has little blunting effect on cutters.

Cutting Resistance-The wood has little cutting resistance. Cutting  edges 
should be kept sharp to prevent torn rays.

Planing-Sycamore is reported to require some care in planing because of  
interlocked grain. (Average number of planed pieces out of one hundred 
reported  to yield perfect pieces = 22).

Turning-Turning characteristics are reported to be good, especially  when 
cutters are kept very sharp. (Percent of turned pieces expected to produce  
fair to excellent results = 85).

Moulding-The timber is reported to respond very poorly to moulding  
operations. (Average number of shaped pieces out of one hundred reported to  
produce good to excellent results = 12).

Boring-The material is reported to respond very well to boring  operations. 
(Expected number of bored pieces out of one hundred with good to  excellent 
holes = 98).

Mortising-The timber is reported to have exceptional mortising  properties. 
(Average number of mortised pieces out of one hundred reported to  yield 
fair to excellent results = 96).

Gluing-Gluing qualities are rated as satisfactory.

Nailing-Nailing and nail-holding properties are reported to be  generally 
good, but thinner stock should be pre-bored. (Average number of nailed  
pieces out of ine hundred reported to be free from complete splits = 79).

Screwing-Screwing properties are rated as good. (Percent of screwed  pieces 
reported to be free from complete splits = 74).

Sanding-Sanding qualities are reported to be very poor. (Average number  of 
sanded pieces out of one hundred reported to produce good to excellent  
surfaces = 21).

Polishing-Polishing is reported to require some care for good  results.
 
Staining-The wood has satisfactory staining qualities, and is reported to  
respond well to all types of stains.

Varnishing-Varnishing qualities are reported to be satisfactory.
 
Steam Bending-Steam bending properties are rated as rather poor. (Average  
number of pieces out of one hundred reported to steam bend without breaking 
=  29). 

Response to Hand Tools-The wood works well with hand tools, which  should 
be kept sharp for best results.
 
 
John M. Johnston
"There is a fine line between hobby and mental  illness." Dave Barry  

 
In a message dated 6/28/2012 3:35:22 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
ron.westlake@g... writes:

I have  used a lot of cottonwood. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

John,

Plain flatsawn sycamore is...plain.

Quartersawn sycamore is your way forward here. Assuming its not twisted
like a corkscrew. It looks like lacewood.

Matthew

On Jun 28, 2012, at 5:32 PM, "Sgt42RHR@a..." <Sgt42RHR@a...> wrote:

> Tree guy just came to give me a quote on disposing of the tree,
> formerly > known as Cottonwood. Nope, sez he, it's a Sycamore. Here is
> what I've> found so far:
>>----------------------------------------------------------------
>>--------

Hi John-- Sycamore is AKA "Plane Tree", IINM, and some say it's because
planes are often made from it. I don't say that, but I sure have heard
it. It's a good shade tree, and good AP lumber, no doubt. Keeping it?

            still raining, and I'm not grinnin---gam in OlyWA


If you were Einstein's father, we wouldn't have the bomb." Peggy Hill


--- On Thu, 6/28/12, Sgt42RHR@a... <Sgt42RHR@a...> wrote:

> From: Sgt42RHR@a... <Sgt42RHR@a...> Subject: Re: [OldTools] Cotton Wood--
> Now Sycamore To: oldtools@r... Date: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 3:32 PM
> Tree guy just came to give me a quote on disposing of the tree,
> formerly=A0 known as Cottonwood.=A0 Nope, sez he, it's a Sycamore.=A0
> Here is what=A0 I've found so far:
>
> Sycamore is a valuable timber tree; its wood is hard, with a
> twisted=A0 and coarse grain, but not very strong.=A0 It is used for=A0
> furniture, interior trim, boxes, pulpwood, and particle and fiber=A0
> board.=A0 Carey and Gill rated sycamore as only fair (their lowest
> rating)=A0 for fuelwood.
>
> and
>
> Boxes and crates, Cigar boxes, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Food=A0
> containers, Lumber, Pallets, Paneling , Baskets, Boards, Building
> materials,=A0 Casks, Dressed boards, Figured veneer, Interior
> construction, Packing cases,=A0 Rough boards/dimension stock, Veneer,
> Wainscotting
>
> and
>
> Working Properties for: Platanus occidentalis
>
> Blunting Effect-The wood has little blunting effect on cutters.
>
> Cutting Resistance-The wood has little cutting resistance. Cutting=A0
> edges should be kept sharp to prevent torn rays.
>
> Planing-Sycamore is reported to require some care in planing because
> of=A0 interlocked grain. (Average number of planed pieces out of one
> hundred reported=A0 to yield perfect pieces = 22).
>
> Turning-Turning characteristics are reported to be good, especially=A0
> when cutters are kept very sharp. (Percent of turned pieces expected
> to produce=A0 fair to excellent results = 85).
>
> Moulding-The timber is reported to respond very poorly to moulding=A0
> operations. (Average number of shaped pieces out of one hundred
> reported to=A0 produce good to excellent results = 12).
>
> Boring-The material is reported to respond very well to boring=A0
> operations. (Expected number of bored pieces out of one hundred with
> good to=A0 excellent holes = 98).
>
> Mortising-The timber is reported to have exceptional mortising=A0
> properties. (Average number of mortised pieces out of one hundred
> reported to=A0 yield fair to excellent results = 96).
>
> Gluing-Gluing qualities are rated as satisfactory.
>
> Nailing-Nailing and nail-holding properties are reported to be=A0
> generally good, but thinner stock should be pre-bored. (Average number
> of nailed=A0 pieces out of ine hundred reported to be free from
> complete splits = 79).
>
> Screwing-Screwing properties are rated as good. (Percent of screwed=A0
> pieces reported to be free from complete splits = 74).
>
> Sanding-Sanding qualities are reported to be very poor. (Average
> number=A0 of sanded pieces out of one hundred reported to produce good
> to excellent=A0 surfaces = 21).
>
> Polishing-Polishing is reported to require some care for good=A0
> results.
>
> Staining-The wood has satisfactory staining qualities, and is reported
> to=A0 respond well to all types of stains.
>
> Varnishing-Varnishing qualities are reported to be satisfactory.
>
> Steam Bending-Steam bending properties are rated as rather poor.
> (Average=A0 number of pieces out of one hundred reported to steam bend
> without breaking
> ==A0 29).
>
> Response to Hand Tools-The wood works well with hand tools, which=A0
> should be kept sharp for best results.
>
>
> John M. Johnston "There is a fine line between hobby and mental=A0
> illness." Dave Barry=A0
>
>
> In a message dated 6/28/2012 3:35:22 P.M. Central Daylight Time,=A0
> ron.westlake@g...m writes:
>
> I have=A0 used a lot of cottonwood.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ: http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r... http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sycamore, quarted-sawed here (Springfield, Oregon) is going for $10.00 bdft.
On 6/28/2012 3:42 PM, gary may wrote:
> Hi John--
> Sycamore is AKA "Plane Tree",  IINM, and some say it's because planes are
often made from it.  I don't say that, but I sure have heard it.
>    It's a good shade tree, and good AP lumber, no doubt.  Keeping it?
>
>              still raining, and I'm not grinnin---gam in OlyWA
>
>
> If you were Einstein's father, we wouldn't have the bomb." Peggy Hill
>
>
> --- On Thu, 6/28/12, Sgt42RHR@a... <Sgt42RHR@a...> wrote:
>
>> From: Sgt42RHR@a... <Sgt42RHR@a...>
>> Subject: Re: [OldTools] Cotton Wood--Now Sycamore
>> To: oldtools@r...
>> Date: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 3:32 PM
>> Tree guy just came to give me a quote
>> on disposing of the tree, formerly
>> known as Cottonwood.  Nope, sez he, it's a
>> Sycamore.  Here is what  I've
>> found so far:
>>   
>> Sycamore is a valuable timber tree; its wood is hard, with a
>> twisted  and
>> coarse grain, but not very strong.  It is used
>> for  furniture,
>> interior trim, boxes, pulpwood, and particle and fiber
>> board.  Carey
>> and Gill rated sycamore as only fair (their lowest
>> rating)  for
>> fuelwood.
>>   
>> and
>>   
>> Boxes and crates, Cigar boxes, Cooperages, Decorative
>> veneer, Food
>> containers, Lumber, Pallets, Paneling , Baskets, Boards,
>> Building materials,
>> Casks, Dressed boards, Figured veneer, Interior
>> construction, Packing cases,
>> Rough boards/dimension stock, Veneer, Wainscotting
>>   
>> and
>>   
>> Working Properties for: Platanus occidentalis
>>
>> Blunting Effect-The wood has little blunting effect on
>> cutters.
>>
>> Cutting Resistance-The wood has little cutting resistance.
>> Cutting  edges
>> should be kept sharp to prevent torn rays.
>>
>> Planing-Sycamore is reported to require some care in planing
>> because of
>> interlocked grain. (Average number of planed pieces out of
>> one hundred
>> reported  to yield perfect pieces = 22).
>>
>> Turning-Turning characteristics are reported to be good,
>> especially  when
>> cutters are kept very sharp. (Percent of turned pieces
>> expected to produce
>> fair to excellent results = 85).
>>
>> Moulding-The timber is reported to respond very poorly to
>> moulding
>> operations. (Average number of shaped pieces out of one
>> hundred reported to
>> produce good to excellent results = 12).
>>
>> Boring-The material is reported to respond very well to
>> boring  operations.
>> (Expected number of bored pieces out of one hundred with
>> good to  excellent
>> holes = 98).
>>
>> Mortising-The timber is reported to have exceptional
>> mortising  properties.
>> (Average number of mortised pieces out of one hundred
>> reported to  yield
>> fair to excellent results = 96).
>>
>> Gluing-Gluing qualities are rated as satisfactory.
>>
>> Nailing-Nailing and nail-holding properties are reported to
>> be  generally
>> good, but thinner stock should be pre-bored. (Average number
>> of nailed
>> pieces out of ine hundred reported to be free from complete
>> splits = 79).
>>
>> Screwing-Screwing properties are rated as good. (Percent of
>> screwed  pieces
>> reported to be free from complete splits = 74).
>>
>> Sanding-Sanding qualities are reported to be very poor.
>> (Average number  of
>> sanded pieces out of one hundred reported to produce good to
>> excellent
>> surfaces = 21).
>>
>> Polishing-Polishing is reported to require some care for
>> good  results.
>>   
>> Staining-The wood has satisfactory staining qualities, and
>> is reported to
>> respond well to all types of stains.
>>
>> Varnishing-Varnishing qualities are reported to be
>> satisfactory.
>>   
>> Steam Bending-Steam bending properties are rated as rather
>> poor. (Average
>> number of pieces out of one hundred reported to steam bend
>> without breaking
>> =  29).
>>
>> Response to Hand Tools-The wood works well with hand tools,
>> which  should
>> be kept sharp for best results.
>>   
>>   
>> John M. Johnston
>> "There is a fine line between hobby and mental
>> illness." Dave Barry
>>
>>   
>> In a message dated 6/28/2012 3:35:22 P.M. Central Daylight
>> Time,
>> ron.westlake@g...
>> writes:
>>
>> I have  used a lot of cottonwood.
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand
>> tool
>> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the
>> history, usage,
>> value, location, availability, collectibility, and
>> restoration of
>> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>>
>> To change your subscription options:
>> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>>
>> To read the FAQ:
>> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>>
>> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>>
>> OldTools@r...
>> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

-- 
  
  Richard
   

Richard L. Rombold
WIZARD WOODWORKING
489 N. 32nd. St.
Springfield, Or .97478

  Take a look at my mess and work.
  http://www.PictureTrail.com/gallery/view?username=thewizz

"Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good
with ketchup"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some time ago I was working on a nice antique dresser which was missing one
complete drawer. Because the drawer was missing, I got it cheap, thinking it
wouldn't be too difficult to make a replacement drawer. And the work part wan't
very difficult. But the material  for the drawer sides and back were impossible
for me to locate. They were QS sycamore. I looked all over So Cal and didn't
find any. But I did find another dresser which was beyond repair which had the
needed lumber in its drawer sides. I had to glue up stock to make my drawer, but
I got it done.

QS sycamore has a very pretty and distinctive ray figure in it, much like old
growth QS white oak. I like it a lot. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------