|
Post by down4derby on Feb 26, 2010 10:15:48 GMT -7
Hi, I was wandering if the orientation of the grains such as horizontal, vertical ect. comes in to play when designing your cars. For instance I have a block with the grains running horizontal gently sloping down to the front. When I cut this block I was thinking of following the grain pattern wich would result in a thin wedge. Would this result in a stiffer body? Also it should provide less grain protrusion through the top surface. Different grain patterns for different body styles. I know ultimatley it doesnt really matter, it just seemed a little interesting to me.
|
|
|
Post by Wood Butcher Racing on Feb 26, 2010 14:57:59 GMT -7
I think most would try to pick blocks with the grain running verticly to a 45 deg angle. If you pick up a ruler and look at the grain from the end, it is this way. This gives stability and will stay straiter as you machine it. Pine has a ring of sap in it that can divert your drill bits. Also, it can show upin your finish because it doesn't machine well. the pulpy wood in between those layers will sand away faster than the sappy ones leaving the surface uneven. Try and pick stock that has very few rings in it. Oddly enough, I hate to work with pine (as a woodworker) because of these quirks, but if you can learn to work with it you'll get a better end product.
|
|
|
Post by F.A.S.T Racing on Feb 27, 2010 7:34:49 GMT -7
Hi, I was wandering if the orientation of the grains such as horizontal, vertical ect. comes in to play when designing your cars. For instance I have a block with the grains running horizontal gently sloping down to the front. When I cut this block I was thinking of following the grain pattern wich would result in a thin wedge. Would this result in a stiffer body? Also it should provide less grain protrusion through the top surface. Different grain patterns for different body styles. I know ultimatley it doesnt really matter, it just seemed a little interesting to me.
Actually grain orientation does matter.
Having the grain run vertical has two benefits: The drill bit wanders less & vertical grain makes for a much stiffer car.
See this thread for more :
pddr.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=help2&action=display&thread=102
[/color]
|
|
|
Post by down4derby on Feb 27, 2010 8:01:24 GMT -7
That makes sense. Thank you
|
|
|
Post by Wood Butcher Racing on Feb 28, 2010 5:34:42 GMT -7
As a side note, I just received one of MB's drilled blocks. It is sugar pine as mentioned in the refered thread. This confirms to me that all pine is not equall. I have been using a pine from packing materials (skids) and it comes in 3x3 planks that are 3' long. The same car cut the same way was 3g lighter with the sugar pine. The sap rings seemed less intrusive as well. Grain was pretty good, but not 'perfect'. Something else I noticed is the dust it makes. Very powdery, it almost looked like smoke coming from the router and it caked up all around the clamps and surrounding areas.
|
|