Using lime for drawer sides/backs?

[Dave Leishman]

Hi all,

This probably just demonstrates my complete beginner status, but I was wondering if I can use lime wood to make sides and back for drawers?

I've a really nice piece of oak that I want to use to make my wife a jewellery cabinet, but not enough to do drawer sides/backs too.

I've more than enough lime to be able to do it though...

I know lime is soft, but given that it's just a light-use jewellery cabinet would I get away with it?

I'm intending to use a half-blind dovetail joint to the oak drawer front.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Why not? Yes lime is soft, but a jewellery box isn't going to get the same wear as, say, a cutlery drawer or a desk drawer. I think you'd get away with it without any problems.

Er, I've never done it myself, of course


S

 

[TheTiddles]

Lime is a bit of an odd choice for drawer sides though it should work ok for a light-duty application. I'm after a little bit of lime for carving practice at the moment, I'd swap you some 1/4" planed oak or teak for a piece...

Aidan

 

[SketchUp Guru]

What is lime? It's not the relative of the lemon is it? Or that stuff they make limestone out of? I've seen this wood referred to before but either we don't have the trees here or its called something else.

And what about plane trees? And are they really flat?

Yes, I know "they" don't make limestone.

 

[TheTiddles]

No, plane trees fly, the clue's in the name... some people... :roll:

 

[Dave Leishman]

Lime is a bit of an odd choice for drawer sides though it should work ok for a light-duty application. I'm after a little bit of lime for carving practice at the moment, I'd swap you some 1/4" planed oak or teak for a piece...

Aidan

Hi Aiden,

It's only an odd choice as I have 3 pieces of lime in the garage bought for another project that isn't going to happen now!

I bought the lime from http://www.woodbypost.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm about 18 months ago.

They're each slightly different in length, but roughly 40mm x 160mm x 1300mm.

I need enough to make sides and backs for 6 drawers of 300mm x 210mm x 6mm, so 18 bits of that size (or around that size - final design isn't complete yet!).

If it's any use to you then let me know and I'll be happy to swap for any wood that's more suitable and compatible with oak

Incidently, can you advise on a good place for buying wood like oak, etc in relatively small quantities in our area?

 

[SketchUp Guru]

No, plane trees fly, the clue's in the name... some people... :roll:

I just blew beer in my keyboard. And it was good beer. You owe me a keyboard and a beer. :twisted: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[TheTiddles]

Silly you, don't you know you can't get good beer in the 13 colonies??

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Silly you, don't you know you can't get good beer in the 13 colonies??

Well then, get on a plane tree and bring me one! :lol:

 

[Steve Maskery]

And it was good beer. :

Good beer? In America? Nah, don't be daft! It's all cold and tasteless, been there drunk that. What you need is some Woodford's Wherry. Not easy to find, but THAT'S a beer!


S

 

[TheTiddles]

Hi Aiden,

It's only an odd choice as I have 3 pieces of lime in the garage bought for another project that isn't going to happen now!

I bought the lime from http://www.woodbypost.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm about 18 months ago.

They're each slightly different in length, but roughly 40mm x 160mm x 1300mm.

I need enough to make sides and backs for 6 drawers of 300mm x 210mm x 6mm, so 18 bits of that size (or around that size - final design isn't complete yet!).

If it's any use to you then let me know and I'll be happy to swap for any wood that's more suitable and compatible with oak

Incidently, can you advise on a good place for buying wood like oak, etc in relatively small quantities in our area?

ah, you've been buying from my buddy Paul! I have some plane from him still in my garage, must remember to let it out to stretch its wings...

The best timber merchant round here is Bamptons in Southamton (yes, you will have to enter the darkest depths of depravity itself). They sell on lots of scrap which I hoard for projects as they come up, it's all odd sizes but if you've got the tools to convert it, it's a good source of little bits and very cheap. It sounds like you are making more of a jewelery vault than a cabinet, you've been buying wifey too many presents, ubless the 6mm depth was actually 6mm and not 60mm and she wears CD's for earings! I don't have that much thin stuff but I can help you convert your lime if you want, as it's soft it should take a really good finish without too much work

Aidan

 

[Dave Leishman]

Aidan

ah, you've been buying from my buddy Paul! I have some plane from him still in my garage, must remember to let it out to stretch its wings...

The best timber merchant round here is Bamptons in Southamton (yes, you will have to enter the darkest depths of depravity itself). They sell on lots of scrap which I hoard for projects as they come up, it's all odd sizes but if you've got the tools to convert it, it's a good source of little bits and very cheap. It sounds like you are making more of a jewelery vault than a cabinet, you've been buying wifey too many presents, ubless the 6mm depth was actually 6mm and not 60mm and she wears CD's for earings! I don't have that much thin stuff but I can help you convert your lime if you want, as it's soft it should take a really good finish without too much work

Aidan

Yup - got it off Paul, a very helpful guy

I can't complain about the jewellery as my main hobby is diving and that IS expensive, but you're right it's a vault...to match the other (looks around and counts) 4 that I can see from where I'm sitting!!

I'd appreciate some help and advice with the lime if you can spare the time! I'll donate one of the pieces for your carving practice in return

[edit] If it's any use to you that is!

Dave

 

[Wanlock Dod]

Daves

You're right, it's not citrus, nor geological.

see here

I have used a little lime, to make a small stool. I found it really nice and easy to work. Easier, and a good deal crisper to work than softwood perhaps. I'm sure that I've also read somewhere that it is fairly dimensionally stable.

Cheers,

Dod

 

[Pete W]

What is lime? ... I've seen this wood referred to before but either we don't have the trees here or its called something else.

It's what you know as basswood, Dave. The preferred choice of many woodcarvers.

And to Dave Leishman, I think lime would be an excellent choice for a secondary wood. But in case you want an informed opinion, Garrett Hack speaks highly of lime/basswood in this article from Fine Woodworking (you may need an online subscription to read the full text, I'm afraid).

 

[Travis]

Hey Dave
You have it all wrong. :twisted:
Here is what you do with the lime.
http://www.tropicalglen.com/Jukebox/Caribbean/myjukeboxH.html

Travis

 

[Harbo]

Paul's fame is spreading - Philly "discovered" him a few weeks ago.

I get most of my hardwood from him - except the exotic (Foreign) stuff.

I have lived in Hants for 40years and used to live in Soton but never heard of Bamptons - must dig them out? I used to use Totton Timber.


Rod

 

[Chris Knight]

Lime is rather an expensive wood as sold to carvers - much more than oak for a nice piece. I'd put it to one side until you are ready to carve something and use another wood. Poplar, tulipwood, American whitewood or whatever you know Liriodendron tulipifera as, is one of the cheapest woods aorund at present and is an excellent secondary wood for furniture.

 

[TheTiddles]

Paul's fame is spreading - Philly "discovered" him a few weeks ago.

I get most of my hardwood from him - except the exotic (Foreign) stuff.

I have lived in Hants for 40years and used to live in Soton but never heard of Bamptons - must dig them out? I used to use Totton Timber.


Rod

Bamptons is on Vespasian Road in Bitterne, they back onto the Itchen. It's a really unpleasant area (I used to live there) but it's worth it to go there

 

[Mr Ed]

I used English Lime in the jewellery box I made in F&C 134. In this case I used it for the stand, tray bottoms and internal partitions.

I was fortunate to discover some interesting spalting in the slab I had which was a nice contrast to the pale colour of the Lime itself. The downside is that it further weakened an already delicate wood.

As far as the structural qualities of it are concerned it is ok for mortice and tenons, but only in low load applications. I'm not sure I would trust it for dovetails and/or drawer sides.

Ed

 

[Dave Leishman]

Thanks for all the replies guys - some useful info there.

I think the general opinion seems to be it's possible to use it but not ideal. I was digging in the garage last night and found a piece of Beech that I also got from Paul at the same time.

I'd have to split it somehow (I only have a little bandsaw!), but I guess that would be more suitable? Beech sides and backs and oak fronts?

I think I'll look to sell or swap the lime - I'll never get into wood carving.