Building with Spruce

[jackellis]

Someone locally is selling sitka spruce lumber. I'm not sure I'll be allowed to stockpile any more lumber as the back patio is already filled but assuming the price is right, has anyone used the stuff and if so, what have you made out of it besides musical instruments and model airplanes?

[LCHIEN]

Someone locally is selling sitka spruce lumber. I'm not sure I'll be allowed to stockpile any more lumber as the back patio is already filled but assuming the price is right, has anyone used the stuff and if so, what have you made out of it besides musical instruments and model airplanes?

Strong and light. Didn't Howard Hughes build the Spruce Goose out of Sitka Spruce? That's that monster wooden seaplane built at the end of WWII. Still berthed near LosAngeles.

[gerti]

Didn't Howard Hughes build the Spruce Goose out of Sitka Spruce? That's that monster wooden seaplane built at the end of WWII. Still berthed near LosAngeles.

Actually it was moved a few years ago and now lives in Oregon:

http://www.sprucegoose.org/

[LCHIEN]

Actually it was moved a few years ago and now lives in Oregon:

http://www.sprucegoose.org/

you're right. And I read, it's made of Birch, not Spruce.

So, Jack, you won't be able to build an outsized
airplane with your wood. Sorry.

[jackellis]

I already have one small metal airplane I can barely afford to fly. Was really wondering whether spruce was good for furniture, shop fixtures, etc?

[ejs1097]

I had 2 blue spruce trees to cut down in my back yard, long and straight. I talked to a friend who owns a lumber mill and he said don't bother....the stuff won't stay straight once cut up. He said about all it was good for was chip board and I'd only get about 3 sheets.

[betacrash]

sitka is VERY popular in the acoustic guitar community. it is used for the guitar tops and the braces. so if you can resaw you can make some jack on ebay.