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Thread: Flames Birch on sale

  1. #1
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Flames Birch on sale

    I have a memory that Gibson used birch for backs and side on a lot of the earlier A models they produced so I was excited to see at Rockler today that they had stacks and stacks of 4/4 flamed birch (slab sawed) on sale for $5.99/BF. All of the pieces were fought cut to about 3' in length. I culled through it and found a piece that was about 80% quarter sawn and got it for only about $13. Pieces ranged in size from 3" wide up to about 8" wide. If I can steady myself and practice resawing on some scrap, I can potentially get 4 sets for flat top instruments out of the +/-2 board feet I brought home. A lot of nice pieces were available with some lovely figuring.

    They also had a lot of board feet of Goncalo Alves and Zebrawood on sale as well!

    I'm not sure if Rockler's sales on lumber apply at all of their locations nationwide, but it may be worth checking out if you're interested.

    Edit: title is supposed to read "FLAMED birch..." auto correct, bah!
    aka: Spencer
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  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flames Birch on sale

    While lovely, curly birch can be just miserable to machine. Carving the back may not be too bad, but I would be very careful with the sides. I’ve planed many boards dead smooth only to have them blow out on the finish pass to thickness, same side, same direction, light cut. Resaw and thickness sanding may be your friend.

    Hope it works out.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  4. #3
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    Default Re: Flames Birch on sale

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    ... Resaw and thickness sanding may be your friend.
    I guess that explains the price,

    Thanks for that word Bill!... That was my plan all along. I've NEVER had luck planing or chiseling anything that has any figure to it. My homemade thickness sander is becoming a must have!
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  5. #4
    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: Flames Birch on sale

    Toothing plane and scrapers for highly figured wood have worked for centuries
    Or invest in good spiral cutter head for your planer (think EXPENSIVE).
    Adrian

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  7. #5
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    Default Re: Flames Birch on sale

    Spent some time with the bandsaw this evening and finally got around to resewing both the Birch and the Douglas Fir. The Birch is good looking and I was able to get 3 sets of flat backs out of what I bought... pretty good for $12!

    Click image for larger version. 

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    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

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  9. #6
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flames Birch on sale

    Very nice looking birch. Should be gorgeous when finished.

    Hopefully won’t give you too much trouble.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

    Arrow Manouche
    Arrow Jazzbo
    Arrow G
    Clark 2 point
    Gibson F5L
    Gibson A-4
    Ratliff CountryBoy A

  10. #7
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flames Birch on sale

    Thank Bill, I don't expect it will since I am making Flattops out of it, so there won't be any carving.

    Worst case scenario, if it gets screwy and unusable, I haven't wasted much money at all!

    I will be using one of the back sets on my next build.
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

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