WoodSense Spotlight on Elm The once-common commercial hardwood we almost lost By Pete Stephano Technical consultant: Larry Osborn Elm may not be as conspicuous Britain’s most prominent is and popular as are many of the English elm (Ulmus procera), Europe employed elm–even the “cabinet class” wood species in which is called Carpathian famed English long bow was modern-day furniture making elm in continental Europe. occasionally crafted of it when and woodworking. After all, No matter the individual elm bowyers lacked the preferred the three most common North species, the stock shares similar yew. Elm was even favored for American elms represent qualities, except that rock elm the keels of English sailing ships; only about three percent of all is harder and heavier. Flatsawn in fact, much American elm was commercially available domestic elm boards can sometimes exported for that very purpose. hardwoods. That’s mainly due exhibit a distinctive “W” or Surprisingly, elm resists decay to the fast-spreading Dutch bird-feather grain patterns. The when in constant contact with elm disease of the 1950s and wood has open, coarse grain water, so bored-out elm (along 1960s that devastated millions much like white ash that is with hemlock) logs ended up as of stately elms from the East most often interlocked, making below-ground city water pipes in Coast to the Midwest as well as in 18th-century Europe and America. Great Britain and Europe, nearly Although only moderately In the United States, elm’s early wiping out the species. Since strong,it somewhat elm bends difficult easily, to work. is shock usage included wagon wheels and that crisis, disease-resistant resistant, and can take abuse. hubs, barrel staves and hoops, elms have been botanically children’s wagons and sleds (it created and reintroduced History in woodworking won’t easily splinter), agricultural to American woodlands. Elm’s woodworking roots go implements, tool handles, The domestic elm species back thousands of years. The hockey sticks, boxes, and even represented as lumber in the baseball bats. In contemporary U.S. include American or gray elm occur in the Mycenaean applications, the wood’s ideal elm (Ulmus Americana), red Periodfirst written of early references Greece–lists to of for steam-bent chair parts as elm (Ulmus rubra) also known military equipment mention well as tabletops and cabinets. as slippery elm, and rock the wood’s use in chariot parts. elm (Ulmus thomasii). Great Centuries-old bows found in Where the wood comes from In North America, two of elm’s It’s a fact that… principal lumber species– Elm’s interlocked grain adds difficulty to machining, but to American and red–grow some users, it was a blessing. In early America, tough elm was from the Midwest to the East a favorite material for horse barn floors. The grain showed Coast and southern Canada to impressive resistance to the wear of horses’ hooves! northern Florida. The smaller rock elm has a range roughly 70 woodcraftmagazine.com June/July 2013 Flatsawn red elm Quartersawn red elm limited to the northern parts of the Great Lakes states. dealers in the range carry gray or English elm grows throughout red elm lumber so be sure to call Great Britain and the temperate around before wasting gas. Don’t grading because neither affects regions of the continent. Some the wood’s performance. elm species also grow in Asia and and small urban lumberyards. When selecting boards, Australia. Due to precautions expectPaperbacked, to find it atrotary-cut big box stores elm be discriminate concerning against the transmittal of Dutch veneer, both American and red, quality. Improperly stored elm is available by the square foot during seasoning may show English elm burl veneer being warp and/or twist that may soldelm disease,in the U.S., you’ll and only it’s expensive.find 10 millimeter thickness. Thicker result in working problems and veneer(about $5)(22 ormil.) 4× 8'costs sheet more ($170) as in waste. After purchasing elm What you’ll pay boards be sure to store them The National Hardwood Lumber cut. Scarce Carpathian elm burl in stickered fashion off the Association (NHLA) grades for all does flat sliced and quarter elm except rock elm are somewhat sheet in 10 mil. thickness. weights atop the stack. complicated, but you can expect veneerFinally, may while top $500English per and 4×8' floor with evenly distributed Asian elm is made into plywood and sold in Europe and Asia, Elm Quick Take to Commonfind lumber grades graded (the from lowest). FAS Cost Moderate (firstFor and rock seconds, elm, NHLA the gradeshighest) and sold in the United States. Weight About 25% lighter are similar to those for hickory you’ll not find elm plywood made than red oak and pecan in that they allow for How to select Hardness 50% soft er than narrower 4"- and 5"-wide boards the best stock sugar maple compared to the minimum Elm varies slightly in color from 6"-wide boards in the best grades. species to species. American Stability Moderate A 4/4 (one inch thickness) board and rock elm have a grayer cast Durability Moderate of FAS elm will cost between to their natural tan heartwood Strength Moderate (but bends color while red displays a easily) many sellers not differentiating warmer orange-red color. The Toxicity None between$4 and $5 red per and board American foot, with elm. sapwood of all three is a very Tool Type Hand and The much heavier and harder rock light tan. American and rock elm power tools elm, though, is usually sold apart lumber can show some staining, from the other elms and can cost which detracts from appearance. Common Cabinets, steam-bent a bit more. You may only be able And all elm boards can have Uses seati ng, tabletops, tiny bird pecks and pin knots, tool handles, some where it grows. Only some local both of which are allowed in small projects. to find rock elm lumber close to Photos: Larry Hamel-Lambert; Illustrati on: Steve Sanford June/July 2013 woodcraftmagazine.com 71 WoodSense Working elm in the shop sands easily. Using progressively Deciding on American and red elm species lighter grits will enhance its the right fi nish rank half as hard as sugar maple, natural luster. Finally, elm’s Due to its open, coarse grain and rock elm nearly as hard. interlocked grain means taking (think red oak and white ash), a This hardness translates to a little more time and care using power tools with sharp when carving or turning it. the pores. But other than that, blades and cutters. Because theglasslike wood top takes finish all dyes, requires stains, filling elm contains interlocked grain, The fl atsawn American (gray) elm shown I it makes splitting the wood here displays the bird’s wing patt ern. and finishes equally well. poses no problem. On the other hand,difficult. shaping Ripping, with however, a router, jointing, and planing can prove challenging. Limit tear-out or chipping by making very light passes and using backers when cutting across the grain. While pre-drilling pilot holes for screws is necessary, you’ll discover that elm bonds well with all adhesives. 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