Beech and Ash advice

[Dr Repper]

Here's my conundrum.

Being based in the UK, hard maple veneer is outrageously expensive. Baltic birch is very affordable. Unfortunately, my board designs envolve some fairly heavy curves, meaning 1/16 veneers are best. I can buy 1.5mm BB veneer, but being 3 ply, that's a lot of glue, making the end result pretty heavy. I also end up with more cross grain plys than I need and have to make boards pretty thick if they're to have enough lateral stiffness.

What I need to know is what the relative merits of Ash and Beech are as veneers for lamination, as it may be easier to get hold of these woods over here at a cost that can be justified.

The end applications are likely to be a speed board and a fast topmount carver with moderate, springy flex.

Hope you guys can help out,

Rich R

[mlsk8rat]

Here's my conundrum.

Being based in the UK, hard maple veneer is outrageously expensive. Baltic birch is very affordable. Unfortunately, my board designs envolve some fairly heavy curves, meaning 1/16 veneers are best. I can buy 1.5mm BB veneer, but being 3 ply, that's a lot of glue, making the end result pretty heavy. I also end up with more cross grain plys than I need and have to make boards pretty thick if they're to have enough lateral stiffness.

What I need to know is what the relative merits of Ash and Beech are as veneers for lamination, as it may be easier to get hold of these woods over here at a cost that can be justified.

The end applications are likely to be a speed board and a fast topmount carver with moderate, springy flex.

Hope you guys can help out,

Rich R

we made solid boards from beech and ash 75-77. we kept making them lighter as airs were being invented. we didn't ride plywood boards until they got more kick in the tail. we used beech because it was cheaper and just as strong as maple. ash is lighter but just as strong. my current bowl board is 8x31 solid ash popsicle, it is considerably lighter than plywood decks the same size. either one will work well.

[Dr Repper]

we made solid boards from beech and ash 75-77. we kept making them lighter as airs were being invented. we didn't ride plywood boards until they got more kick in the tail. we used beech because it was cheaper and just as strong as maple. ash is lighter but just as strong. my current bowl board is 8x31 solid ash popsicle, it is considerably lighter than plywood decks the same size. either one will work well.

Thanks man, that's excellent. Do you know how these boards react to being pressed/bent in comparison with maple/birch?

[mlsk8rat]

Thanks man, that's excellent. Do you know how these boards react to being pressed/bent in comparison with maple/birch?

i have never used beech veneer. beech has a slightly more irregular grain pattern than the other woods means it might tend to warp more. but that is just a guess. i wouldn't stress about it, i think they all can make a nice board.