Sitka Spruce

[colinc]

Does anyone know of any source for aircraft grade Sitka Spruce?

I know it's a long shot but I thought I'd ask before ordering it from Canada. Supplies from there are good but it is hassle getting it in.

I know that it it unlikely that anyone here will have or know of a source for material of this grade but perhaps there are others like me who have a small hoard they might be willing to sell on. Unfortunately my own hoard is mainly of small sections now and not much help on this occassion.

regards

Colin

 

[RogerM]

Colin - aircraft grade Sitka Spruce? What are you making?

 

[colinc]

It's to build a tailplane for a small biplane called a Flitzer. A change from the usual work, with a higher than normal standard of quality control - see pm.

regards

Colin

 

[dickm]

Sounds a really testing project.

Would it be worth asking around boatbuilders for spruce? Or is their necessary quality not high enough?

 

[Shultzy]

Hope we get to see some pics when you get going.

 

[CHJ]

Does anyone know of any source for aircraft grade Sitka Spruce?
Colin

Colin, If your project does not already involve them try

The Shuttleworth Collection,Old Warden Park, Nr. Biggleswade, SG18 9EP.
Tel: Shuttleworth Collection (visitor centre) (01767) 627927
Shuttleworth Collection (admin) (01767) 627900
Fax: (01767) 927949
E-mail: [email protected]

They may be able to point you to source, I'm too long out of the swim to help but will enquire from some of my former colleagues when i return to my mail comp.

 

[CHJ]

Colin have you tried these people;

LAS Aero

 

[colinc]

thanks for the boatbuilders idea Dickm, I hadn't thought of that and they do use it for masts and spars.

Also CHJ's pointer to LAS may be fruitful, I'll see if they carry stock in the uk. I know that for the small quantity I need most of the cost will go on shipping if I source it across the water.

regards

Colin

 

[aesmith]

These guys do specialist boat-building timbers, including Sitka. I've seen favourable reports about them, but not dealt with them myself.

http://www.robbins.co.uk/mar_softwood.htm

 

[colinc]

Thanks for the Robbins suggestion too.

Actually I think that my luck is in for once as I have been told via email that Capricorn Timber, who are based only a few miles from home, carry a good stock of aircraft grade sitka spruce and douglas fir and have supplied wood for a number of similar projects. I knew they were there but hadn't realised they had such stuff.

Am hopeful that I can source the material I need there.

Thanks for the help.

Colin