starting a drop deck-wood questions

[chikosneff]

Hi guys I'm starting to build a drop deck longboard reading these instructions : :: DROP BOARD BUILD
I've got a problem: here in europe right now I can only find sycomore which is european maple and not hard rock canadian maple.
I'm asking if anyone has ever tried it , is european maple so different from canadian maple?
other question: I've found veneers 1 mm thick, about 1/24'', can I use 12 of them instead of 8 layers 1/16'' thick?
thank you so much! Marco

[Ted]

The thinner veneers will work. What you need to do if you are using water based glue is to find some sort of flexible but ridgid material you can place on top of and below the layers of veneer you are gluing together while in the vacuum bag. I use 1/16" styrene.
White Plastic Styrene Sheet
If the styrene pieces are to small they can be taped together.

The styrene is used as a way to keep the veneers from expanding up as they take on water from the glue. If you use epoxy it is still a good idea to use the rigid material.

You also my be able to get away with fewer laminations when using thinner veneers.

Hope this helps.

Ted from Roarockit

[chikosneff]

Thanks Ted. And which wood would you choose between european maple (sycomore) and american oak? right now these are the only two I'm able to find. (except for baltic birch, but I don't think that's ok for a drop board).

[Ogre]

I am doubting the "sycamore" you speak of is the same as what we call Sycamore.. Ours has a very sinuey grain and is hard to work with. But it's possible I suppose they could veneer it that thin. Oddly tho, I have a "Project Speed Board" that the top grain resemles that of Sycamore and was made in South Africa..hmmmmmm?