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.
>
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