Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Nov 17, 2008 08:23pm | #1

   It is hard, and has estremely gnarly grain, but a good carbide saw should have no trouble with it. Are you sure yours isn't in need of sharpening?

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   BruceS | Nov 18, 2008 02:39am | #2

   I just plained 35  eight footers of Elm and ripped one edge straight.   Watch the grain direction as much as possible while plaining to avoid tear-out.  Used a fairly new freud ripper with no problems.  Building a Wardrobe in shaker style.  The Stiles and rails cut very nicely, actually better than red oak.  Raised panel bit went well also, They were Eagle America bits, Naturally.  The Qtr. sawn pieces are extremely pretty, and the straight sawn sections are remarkable with a pretty "saw tooth" design in them.  The nutmeg colour is great too.  Elm is now one of my new favorites.  Enjoy you new lumber!

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

3. 
   chscholz | Nov 18, 2008 02:51am | #3

   The old Chinese loved elm (yumu [Northern Elm] and jumu [Southern Elm]) and used it for all sorts of furniture. Yumu was considered softwood and quite popular for [pre-industrial] production furniture.

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   Chris Scholz

   Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

   Galoot-Tools

4. 
   BoardmanWI | Nov 18, 2008 10:12pm | #4

   Elm, especially red elm, is an overlooked species. I've only worked with red elm, but it finishes great, with a nice chevron pattern at the ends of the growth rings. Plus it's cheap - $2bf. I know American elm is somewhat plainer.

   It can bow pretty wildly at times - I had about a 8" x 18" piece that developed a 3/4" bow. Best to let it sit a bit before putting it into a project. It used to be what they made hockey sticks out of because it was strong yet could flex.

5. 
   sleepydad | Dec 01, 2008 06:38pm | #5

   I have done an elm floor, some doors and paneling.  It’s really nice wood to work. 

    

   I have only used red elm.  It’s soft and can move a lot.

   
1. 
   Olfrt | Dec 06, 2008 08:41pm | #7

   SleepyDad:
   The floor is simply exquisite. I have just retired and am in the process of setting up a small,[10x30] shop. Living on a fixed income means scrounging whatever i can for woods, so the elm is almost literally a windfall. Everyone around here in western NM calls these elms either "Siberian" or "American" elm. The wood is darker than the photos of your floor and is hard! The trees were small so am going to be using for things like knife scales and bases for my wife's miniatures etc. Also scored some peach and apricot. It is nice to meet you. Hope we can chat again.
   Thanks
   GoAlongJones

1. 
   sleepydad | Dec 07, 2008 05:26pm | #8

   Could be rock elm.  Very hard and tight grained.  it grows really slow so most of them get cut down way before their time.<!----><!----><!---->

   here in MN the settlers used them as barn beams.  something to keep in mind with (American)elm;  they can have a bacterial infections that will darken the heart wood; and also increase the Moisture content.  but once dry it will be much lighter.<!----><!---->

   if it's American elm it might even have a green or mustard color once dry.  very nice wood.  they still mostly consider the elm's a worthless tree around here.  totally an underappreciated wood.<!----><!---->

   Of all things I just cut some buckthorn.  It’s a pink/green wood; really stringy. I ended up burning it.  Oh well you never know?<!----><!---->

   <!---->good luck.<!---->

6. 
   BG | Dec 02, 2008 12:10am | #6

   olfrt,

   The Woodwright Shop videos(two seasons worth) are available on line at North Carolina PBS. I just watched an episode on making a small wagon wheel..with elm as the preferred hub and why. You may want to take a few minutes and watch.

   http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/schedule/video.html

   
   

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   Edited 12/1/2008 4:11 pm ET by BG