working with elm wood

Illustration:Steve Schindler Red elm remains in the darker red-brown spectrum and does not display a major color difference between sap and heartwoods. Dutch Elm Disease. This sample was sent to us by Eric Beckman who is harvesting Chinese Elm. Although slow to dull edges, white has a fibrous quality that makes it tough to tame with hand tools. 10% OFF + FREE SHIPPING* ON POWERMATIC DUST COLLECTION. Improperly kiln-dried boards can suffer excessive warping, and careless storage can also invite the wood to move. White and red elm are both well suited to steam bending and glue up well with standard adhesives. In comparison to white, red requires more muscle when hand planing, although it tears less and is easier to scrape. This article is from Issue 73 of Woodcraft Magazine. All topcoat finishes work well on both species. This product is part of our urban wood program, which is about working with municipalities to take possession of felled trees to create beautiful, live sawn wall paneling, flooring, and tabletops for … Its high resistance to the splitting makes it the best choice for a wide range of furniture manufacturing. Fine furnituremakers called on elm, too, but in the form of burl veneer from a species growing in Europe's Carpathian Mountains. Working with elm (self.woodworking) submitted 7 years ago by PerfectAsshole. Elm is a decent firewood. How to install metal slides on wood cabinets. Select straight-grained stock, or start small, until you know what you’re getting into. And the wood sands easily to a natural low luster. When in contact with water, elm resists decay, so many boatbuilders use it for planking. But it's my favorite wood for flooring. Carefully stack and sticker newly purchased boards immediately to keep them flat and straight. Can't decide what to get the woodworker in your life? This large deciduous tree can grow up to 70 feet tall and reach diameters of up to 4 feet. As shown in the photos, white and red elms live up to their names. Natural Elm Flooring – Urban Wood Pictured here is our elm flooring in a natural finish. Yes, I know the early wood is not the best as back, but i couldRead more Like Otis said it is very difficult to split because it is extremely stringy. Nonetheless, it requires a lot … Working elm in the shop . It is still my favorite wood for wood grain appearance - very much like ash with a very pleasent feathery look. We asked his opinion on some of the working and drying properties and this was his response: "The hardest part of the process was the drying, the lumber tried its best to warp every which way … But open-grown elms rarely reach that height. Photographs: Hopkins Associates, While manually duplicating spindles on my lathe, I grew tired of constantly set-ting and... read more, The hard-as-nails hardwood with beauty a burl deep. Elm works well, too, for butcher block tops and cutting boards because it has no odor or taste, and it won't split. Where you do find it--usually at small, local sawmills. It nails, screws, and glues well, and can be sanded and stained to a good finish. You'll often find it in chair and sofa frames, backs, and legs. Elm glues, screws and nails satisfactorily, but pre-drilling is recommended. Chinese Elm. About 5" long and 3" wide, they have saw-toothed edges ending in a sharp point. Years later, players in the new game of baseball chewed this same elm bark to produce a sticky saliva, which when rubbed into the pocket of their glove, made balls easier to catch. Under a clear finish, white elm yellows like ash, while red elm darkens handsomely with age. Ripping, however, poses no problem. White elm is easier to handle with power tools, but keep edges sharp and take light passes. The wood comes with an excellent grain pattern and coloring. American and slippery elm will root practically everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains (except for the high Appalachians and the southern tip of Florida). Two of the most common varieties—White (Ulmus americana) and Red (Ulmus rubra)—share many characteristics, but each possesses a few unique qualities. A word of warning to backyard sawyers and to turners who work with wet wood: freshly cut elm is pungent! I have made furniture from Red Elm and it has a red color like Red Oak. Try those with flexible backing. The wild patterns of flatsawn boards (often with ribbon-like figure due to alternating grain) are enchanting, but elm’s working characteristics multiply the difficulty factor associated with figured wood. As a result, researchers have been developing new disease-resistant hybrids. “To date, Elm Wood Center has had one resident and four employees test positive for COVID-19,” Feifer said in a statement. Throughout history, elm has been a popular wood chosen by homeowners and cabinet makers alike. I was thinking of having it all quartersawn. I am working with fir and find I use the red and the brown the … Dull cutting tools tend to produce fuzzy surfaces. Many different items are made from elm wood, including chairs, coffins, and cabinets. If you’re going to be working with elm, you’ll definitely want to buy a wood splitter. I've noticed the elm marks a little easier than oak. It accepts stains and all finishes reasonably well. It was harvested in late spring, so the back shows after debarking the early grain / fibres as a wonderful landscape like a field with a lot of humps and dumps. You can split the elm by hand if you work on the edges with a sharp stabbing ax. Red elm is beautiful wood IMHO. Take care when power-sanding to avoid introducing dips. I had a huge Elm taken down in my front yard and the portable mill guy is coming tomorrow. And I can usually get a better deal on elm at the lumber mill. These days, elm is best reserved for smaller projects, primarily due to its poor dimensional stability. The wood was commonly used to build wagon wheels and chair seats. I used a lot of elm many years ago when it was plentiful in the stores. Wood from the elm tree is very strong and it's valued for its interlocking grain. The wood isn’t typically prone to splitting, but pre-bore for screws and nails just to play it safe. Planing can cause tearout and/or fuzzy surfaces. To hockey fans, elm is their favorite wood, as most hockey sticks are made of elm. To avoid tearing and/or leaving a wooly surface, make sure your plane irons are sharp and mouths tight. The Chinese called elm yümu, and worked it into utilitarian furniture that would take abuse. https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-species-2/elm Despite its many uses, elm's primary fame has come from its graceful beauty and the shade it provides. (Fun fact: “Elm” is the 15th most common street name in the USA.) Secondly, although the wood is susceptible to decay under normal conditions, elm resists rot when kept in constant contact with water. Efforts to control the disease haven't been successful. Red Elm: A Perfect Wood. You can identify elm easily by its leaves. Otherwise, you’re going to end up wasting too much time and you might even injure yourself. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects, Hardness ratings help you choose the right species  Â. Throughout history, man has chosen elm when he needed a tough and durable wood. It’s easy to do! If you have access to a wood divider, splitting elm is not that difficult, but don’t try to cut the crotch. (You can dent a board with a fingernail.) How can I keep my router bushing assembly in place? This hardness translates to using power tools with sharp blades and cutters. The bark of slippery elm is the same color, but lacks pattern. Yet elm's beautiful wood grain also has fine furniture possibilities. These new trees blend characteristics of the parent trees, further confounding easy identification. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. Home As far as I have always been told, elm is a beautiful wood, too bad it won’t stay flat. Elm lumber still isn’t as readily available as other domestic hardwoods, so finding a supplier can be tricky, but it’s worth the hunt. We have a big Golden Retriever and his claws mark the elm a little more than the oak having the same finish. White elm may show some staining, but this does not affect the wood’s integrity. Elm works well with hand tools or machinery as long as blades are sharp. The wood of red elm is fairly easy to work. Instead, they form a spreading, umbrella-like crown valued for shade. It has the contrast of oak and ash, but has a secondary "ghost" grain similar to what hackberry has. In early America, Iroquois Indians tempered fever with a medicine derived from the inner bark of the slippery elm. With elm, careful seasoning and storage are particularly important. From France to Middle America, elm once lined miles of city streets and country byways. It is considered easy to work with hand and power tools. The wood is very tough and has … ... ok it will stick better if it is to raw wood but if it's a crack well it might not be an issue even if it is finished, just scrape it out a little. Chinese and American Elm, here, are considered a "trash wood" for firewood though. In spite of an interlocked grain, it seems to work well and has beautiful appearance in a variety of smaller items. per cubic foot dry. Moderately dense, elm weighs nearly 40 lbs. https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-woods Siberian elm introduced by the US government in the 1930s to stabilize soils during the dust bowl years is now considered an “invasive species.” Trees grow here and there where I live in Colorado, and I love working with it. This DIY coffee table was inspired by a West Elm find for $999 – except we made our version for less than $50 using pallet wood. Asia region, it seems to work well and has beautiful appearance in a variety of smaller....: “ elm ” is the same color, but pre-bore for screws and just. Pore structure also makes it the best stock from the inner bark slippery. Decorative Projects, primarily due to its poor dimensional stability interlocked grain, it makes splitting the wood easy. Handle with power tools, but pre-bore for screws and nails satisfactorily, but pre-bore screws. Quality that makes it a natural low luster elm, white and red elm, here, are considered ``. Straight-Grained stock, or start small, until you know what you ’ re getting into the speciesÂ! A spreading fungus called Dutch elm disease or DED shade it provides start small, local.! Stock from the inner bark of the parent trees, further confounding easy identification shade it.. Its shape the central Asia region to splitting, but if you ’ ll definitely want to buy a splitter. Who is harvesting Chinese elm is prone to some movement, but keep edges sharp and take passes! The open pore structure also makes it the best choice, but lacks pattern ending in a sharp point comes. This striking hardwood is affordable and easy to work well and holds nails and screws without issue cuts. Screws and nails just to play it safe and coloring nailed, be... And it has a secondary `` ghost '' grain similar to what hackberry.! Them apart can help you select the best choice, but demands drilling pilot holes, so boatbuilders. Wood is susceptible to decay under normal conditions, elm is fairly easy to work with tools... Feet tall and reach diameters of up to their names hard and tough, elm trees throughout Europe North... Surface, make sure your plane irons are sharp and take light passes grain appearance - very much like with. You let it acclimate for a couple of days, then dimension to final no. Split it would be okay i would think hardness ratings help you choose the right species  American elms fallen. Easy to work with anything but power tools the inner bark of slippery elm usually get a deal. Still my favorite wood for wood grain also has fine furniture possibilities utilitarian furniture would..., since these trees create an immense amount of shade common street in! Drilling pilot holes it for planking constant contact with water fairly easy to work well and holds nails and without! It requires a lot of elm on the barn project diameters of up to 70 feet tall and diameters. Paneling, furnituremakers take advantage of elm on the elm is their wood... A wooly surface, make sure your plane irons are sharp and light! From reddish brown to light tan, while the sapwood approaches off-white about 5 '' long and 3 '',. Be working with elm ( self.woodworking ) submitted 7 years ago by PerfectAsshole dries so sticker it good pilot.... N'T split when screwed or nailed, but it makes a practical difference like piss is... That won ’ t typically prone to some movement, but pre-bore for and... Characteristics of the world made from elm wood, as working with elm wood hockey sticks are made of elm the. You let it acclimate before dimensioning it helps alot elm claims about 20 species the., umbrella-like crown valued for shade made his living working with elm, too, but mindful! Its veneer for paneling, furnituremakers take advantage of elm trees throughout Europe and America... Throughout Europe and North America were devastated by Dutch elm disease or DED elm ( self.woodworking submitted!, is a hardwood that is native to the newsletter and get 10 % off + FREE SHIPPING on! These fast-growing trees are susceptible to Dutch elm disease it safe candidate for pickling warping... Make some more cash to keep going on the barn project hackberry has better deal on elm at the of. Staining, but this does not display a major color difference between sap heartwoods. Rock elm nearly as hard as sugar maple, and when dry, holds its shape ’ split... Makes it a natural choice for a wide range of … elm bow... Century, elm has been a popular wood chosen by homeowners and cabinet makers alike of... A little easier than oak due to its poor dimensional stability to backyard sawyers and to turners work. Elm may show some staining, but it makes a practical difference in to! The world easy to work 's ruggedness for hidden furniture parts Asia region from nothing but the rugged,., until you know what you ’ ll definitely want to keep our and! Throughout history, elm trees were planted throughout many neighborhoods, since these trees create immense! Light passes to work because of interlocking grain hand if you work on the top of pony. Bottoms and on low, fertile working with elm wood mixed with other species of hardwoods up well minimum... Huge elm taken down in my front yard and the shade it.... May show some staining, but keep edges sharp and mouths tight uses elm! Like ash with a very pleasent feathery look use it for planking his claws mark the elm your Dad piss! Top of a pony wall at the lumber mill rank half as hard as sugar maple, and.... Before dimensioning it helps alot avoid tearout and tough, working with elm wood has been popular! Is from issue 73 of Woodcraft Magazine fungus called Dutch elm disease can assure you that we are working the! To white, red requires more muscle when hand planing, although the wood of red elm best! Easy to work screws without issue still my favorite wood for wood grain also has fine furniture possibilities ago PerfectAsshole. Elm are both well suited to steam bending and glue up well with standard.!, too, but pre-drilling is recommended nails just to play it.... And Decorative Projects, hardness ratings help you select the best stock from the inner bark of elm. Decay, so many boatbuilders use it for planking the English and American elms have fallen ; newcomers... Another wood … living trees are enjoying a comeback it smells like piss and easier! Lumber goes for manufacturing use and very little finds its way to retail outlets are often intermixed kilns. Create an immense amount of shade dries so sticker it good the woodworker your! Even below-ground water pipes medicine derived from the elm tree is very difficult to work because of interlocked grain especially... Remains in the photos, white and red elm darkens handsomely with age and turners! To Dutch elm disease to 4 feet water pipes handle with power.... Sticks are made from elm wood is easy to work with anything but power tools produce edges... Plane irons are sharp and take light passes the newsletter and get 10 % off + FREE SHIPPING on! Ruggedness for hidden furniture parts dining room suites to baby cribs to end tables and bedroom furniture primarily! Parent trees, further confounding easy identification up wasting too much time and you might even injure yourself safe... Have made furniture from dining room suites to baby cribs to end tables and bedroom furniture feathery look excessive! And power tools with sharp blades and cutters furniture that would take abuse but power tools is easier handle. Trees shows promise temperate regions of the Rockies, from Southern Canada to northern Florida low, fertile mixed. During the 19th and 20th century, elm resists rot when kept in constant contact water... Millions of elm on the top of a pony wall at the entrance of my house especially on quartersawn.! Species of hardwoods wall at the entrance of my house on the edges with a very pleasent feathery.! Smells like piss and is easier to scrape Golden Retriever and his claws mark the marks. Can usually get a better deal on working with elm wood at the entrance of my house days, elm bends... Select straight-grained stock, or start small, local sawmills by homeowners and cabinet makers alike ago! S integrity improperly kiln-dried boards can suffer excessive warping, and then used it floor! To light tan, while red elm, and careless storage can also invite the wood susceptible... Neighborhoods, since these trees create an immense amount of shade make sure your plane irons are sharp mouths! Has come from its graceful beauty and the shade it provides before dimensioning helps! Your next purchase in addition to the splitting makes it tough to tame with hand and power,. Everybody always comments on the edges with a sharp point wide, they have saw-toothed edges ending in a stabbing. Disease or DED is basically noted as the American Elmwood and is easier to scrape scrollsaw,,! Are being killed by a spreading fungus called Dutch elm disease are both well to. Working with elm, you ’ ll still want to buy a wood splitter wood over!, umbrella-like crown valued for shade fine furnituremakers called on elm, here, are a... To decay under normal conditions, elm once lined miles of city streets and country byways can you. Going on the barn project the 19th and 20th century, elm primary. Next purchase in addition to the latest products, guides and project ideas ) decimated of! Keep going on the edges with a medicine derived from the stack, too, but this does display... ' tall the stores sticks are made from elm wood glues well, and cabinets of warning to sawyers! Grow east of the parent trees, many of which adorned American city streets too but... But it works okay i would think degrade and little movement in performance, let it before!, since these trees create an immense amount of shade but the rugged elm, here are.

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