Re: Wood Woes

Posted by David Dewey on September 09, 1998 at 11:23:03

In Reply to: Wood Woes
posted by TR on September 08, 1998 at 18:37:43

Having put a LOT of wood in A's and other cars, and having made a lot of wood myself (try finding a door wood kit for a '36 Rolls Royce custom bodied limo!), you've hit on a 'touchy' subject with me. Without trying to offend anyone, I can assure you there is JUNK out there as well as GREAT wood too. Unfortunatley, IMHO, the best wood maker has retired (Byron Myers) but there are good ones out there (It's been too long since I bought a kit to make a recomendation). You need to ask around, and, if possible, look at some of the wood. Is the grain straight (espcially on bows), is it all heartwood, what kind of wood is it? BTW, Oak is NOT the best wood for this, closed cell hardwoods last much longer, just look at what kinds of wood parts are still good patterns today! How carefully are the joints done (Byron's were so good, you had to look for grain changes--wish I could do that well!)?
I disagree with those that claim the wood *always* needed a lot of fitting. At the production levels the A was made, there wasn't time to 'fit' every little thing, they had to be a 'slap it in and move it along' fit--as some origianal cars show by mis-fits!! I do agree that bodies have settled, and metal has stretched, so *some* cars will require a bit more 'fiddling' than others.
If your wood is made in California, there is one maker out here I personally wouldn't buy from, but you'll have to email me to find out, or ask your fellow club members, if any of them have had his wood, they can warn you!!!!
One last pet peeve w/wood, floorboards; many of them are made from too-thin cheap plywood. 1/2 or 5/8" is too thin!! And don't forget the iron braces on the bottom piece, they help hold the two pieces together.
Good luck, be picky fitting the header to the side pieces so the visor will fit correctly, and don't forget the piece of oversixed fender welting between the windshield header cover and the header, it finishes off that area under the visor & helps seal it a bit.
--David D.

Follow Ups:
Re: Wood Woes GW September 09, 1998 at 13:03:24(4)
Re: visor Welting Material David Dewey September 09, 1998 at 23:45:18(3)
Re: visor Welting Material Marco September 10, 1998 at 00:16:31(2)
Re: visor Welting Material Scott Houtz September 10, 1998 at 08:56:27(1)
Re: visor Welting Material; which models David Dewey September 10, 1998 at 09:50:26(0)

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