using elm?

[miles_hot]

I popped into the local saw mill today and saw a pallet of elm which someone had rejected as being too knotty for a floor. God it was beautiful wood, pinks, greens wild grain etc. Not only will this be the next floor (assuming I can find a way of laying it on the concrete base without adding 4 inches to the floor height) but i was also thinking of it for furniture.

The chap mentioned that it was rather less stable than oak so I was wondering what, if any, furniture etc you chaps had made with it.

I should mention that whilst I have a great deal of thinking time I have very little experience (no actually that should be none) at making stuff out of real wood and the whole building to take account of wood movement is a totally mystery. Hence any advice would be gratefully received

Miles

 

[woodbloke]

This:

...and this:

Great timber, just work round the imperfections, and make sure it's really well seasoned 'cos it moves a tad :wink: :shock: if not - Rob

 

[marcus]

I've made a few pieces with it, it's quite nice to work, though it can be a bit crumbly and the really wild pieces can be a right pain on the finishing front. Worth it though! People always warn about movement in elm, although to be honest I've never found that to be a problem - but the boards I've had have mostly been drying undercover for years (decades probably), so that may account for it.

Cheers,

Marcus

 

[dickm]

Agree that it moves like crazy with change in moisture content. But provided you can acclimatise it to its future home before working on it, it's one of the most spectacular timbers. IMHO. And like land. they ain't making much more of it in England (still available up here in the real North, tho')