Wagon Timber Advice Required

What timber do carriage & wagon restorers use to replace sections of framing?

I have just started the restoration of a brake van which needs some replacement sections. Some will be fairly big (4-6 inches X 3-4 inches X 6ft)

Much as I'd love to rebuild everything with the best quality wood that will last years, money is a fairly major consideration so does anyone out there have any recommendations for a nice compromise that a) doesen't cost the earth but b) is reasonably resistant to rot and distortion.

They will be treated and painted (i.e. not the "weathered bare wood effect") and are locked together with mortise & tenon joints.

Different people usually have different ideas so I thought this question would be a good one to put out to the wider community

 

Have you considered second hand joists from a salvage merchant? These will be pine, but well seasoned and a lot better timber than much that is sold today. I assume you have access to a woodworking shop to trim these to size.

Tim

 

A reasonable local sawmill will produce rough sawn timber to size.
I recently ordered and had delivered a quantity of Oak all cut slightly oversize to allow for trimming and planing to size.

Also have you considered the use of sections cut out from Hardwood sleepers?
These can produce some excellent results especially on small bits of splicing.

 

Used pitch pine on a brake van a few years ago. As said above, reclaimed is almost always best. Have had teak from old labs and oak from old pews etc. Not done a lot lately but there seems to be a fair selection here......

http://www.salvoweb.com/timber/forsale.html

 

Chris, I've been having a think about your wood problem and if you want to use new wood then the senior joiner for the 'posh-ex' coaches at Stewarts Lane Battersea usually gets his timber from Wenban-Smith of Worthing who have an excelent selection in their Lewes timber yard. Long way from you I know but may be they can advise some one nearer.

link
http://www.wenbans.com/timber-unsorted.php

edit

Richard Salmon of the Bluebell is the chap to contact, pm me for his e-mail, for a look round Horsted Keynes carriage works. Is there a carriage works at the ELR it being closer?

 

You must be joking Gordon, Wemban-Smith is good but the prices are prohhibitive. You can get just as good for less elsewhere.

Regards
Chris:

 

Well you're the one still chipping away Chris, which one is it at the moment? The other GB from SL won't go anywhere else!!!

Keep takeing the tablets
Gordon.

 

I have taken my tablets, have you taken yours?.

Seriously though Wemban -Smith is pricey and it escapes me what GB from SL you are referring to ?

Regards
Chris

 

They may be pricy Chris but where else can you get 4 x 9 inch for example

link
http://www.wenbans.com/timber-unsorted.php

Are you doing the glv/guv/van/ whatever for the GN Saloon? (yes I did hear about the row!!!!!!)

Oh the other GB at SL, Graham Burtenshaw.

How's your dept after that terrible fire?

Best regards from the woody old Wolds.
Bodger.

 

I've not used them but I've had good reports about Sykes Timber in Atherstone. They can even supply new pitch pine.
http://www.sykestimber.co.uk/index.html

 

You mean the BY number 653 ?, yes I will be when the powers that be have made a decision.

Both Graham Ward and Graham (minnie) Burtenshaw are still working at the VSOE last I heard.

The Ropley fire is now a distant memory as the replacement is up and running. Current projects are a SECR PMV from 1922, a Bulleid SOBT number 4211 and a mk1 BSK, an ex main line coach.

Please PM me if you will?

Best regards
Chris:

 

Thanks for all the helpful advice guys.

 

It depends on what wood you want, and how large, and how much. But my father always uses old furniture, typical of what you get at cheap house clearance places. OK, you must take it apart, be careful to denail it, remove stain/paint etc, but it will be properly seasoned. You may find this a cheap and better alternative for some of your requirements rather than new. All depends on your project requirements.