Stem Material?

My plans from Spira call for a 2x6 board to be used.  After reading Fletcher's book (and the many comments on the subject from this website) I've decided to construct a stem in the 'traditional' manner and using a 4x4 cut down, beveled and notched.

I'm considering laminating pieces of 3/4" clear pine together with epoxy, but would I be better off considering other types of wood?   I'm more concerned with choosing the RIGHT wood for the application than choosing something for it's beauty.

Thanks

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 19, 2012 at 9:33am

Tatman boats use one of the "Mahogany" family of woods. While my taxonomy might not be correct in that Sapele and such may not be true Mahoganies they have a resemblance. I just discovered this site this morning http://www.woodfinder.com/ they will help you locate sources of woods nearby. They also have a wonderful resource library of woods allowing you to compare strengths and such. Sapele and similar woods are easy to machine, work well with glues, look great and are not excessively expensive. Almost all the drift boats that I have documented at the past three McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festivals have used this "type" of wood if I remember correctly. You could laminate a stem and machine it down too as you have suggested so you may not have to find a large piece of timber. With that being said you could use woodfinder to compare the more locally available wood, the characteristics of the them and compare to Sapele and such. Perhaps a Black Walnut or Locust stem would be more affordable in your location?

Keep us informed.

Regards,

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Michael Rosso on March 19, 2012 at 10:00am

Thanks Rick!

I have heard of Mahogany used very often.  Didn't know if it was simply because this was asthetically pleasing or not.  I've actually used Woodfinder before on other projects and it always refers me to the same place.  A place I happily have known about for some years!  I don't believe that they carry any types of Mahogany that thick so I'll most likely have to laminate.

Went fishing for Steelhead yesterday on the Boardman River.  Sadly no luck, but I got a chance to try out my new 8 weight flyrod!

I'll let you know what I come up with.

Mike

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 19, 2012 at 10:46am

Michael, it is essentially used because of the River God Mahog. He grew up in the headwaters of the McKenzie River. This is actually a long time river guides secret that I found under a rock on the beach at Randy Dersham's Eagle Rock Lodge. It was written on an ancient Ipad .5!

The message was, if you want to catch any steelhead, boat builders must use the ancient Mahog wood. Those that don't will continue to buy new fly rods, buy and tie thousands of expensive flies and a new fly line every week. Look at Greg Hatten's videos to see just how true that is. Check out how many fish his clients catch.

The other thing you can do is send all you fishing gear to me to get the curse removed. Well maybe that won't work so well, I have yet to catch any on my spey rods or standards rods! I have worshipped at the temple of new flies and fly lines however.

So perhaps you will want to expand your search area and have some of the "special" Mahog or Sepelle (I spelled it wrong before) shipped to you. Then your new fly rod will work better!

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Stewart Cross on March 19, 2012 at 6:08pm

All Hail MAHOG!

Permalink Reply by Michael Rosso on March 20, 2012 at 5:13am

Thank Mahog!  You've shown me the error of my ways!  I was on my way to Orvis to purchase 2 dozen more flies, a new set of waders, and a book about the Caddis Fly when I read your message.   It all makes sense now!

I'll be going out this weekend and picking up a piece of 16/4 Mahogany.  I'll make sure to save some of the wood shavings so that I can burn them later and give thanks and praise.

Mahog we thank thee.

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 20, 2012 at 6:41am

Now you are seeing the path. Shaving curls from your Bailey plane must also be scattered on the waters before you travel down them. Mahog also wrote that you must use bamboo and Greenheart rods, none of this fancy fiberglass, boron or carbon graphite. The only acceptable flies are Mahogany Duns! Send everything else to me for proper cleansing.

But seriously folks, as Joe Walsh once said; Mahogany was probably chosen because it has some of the following characteristics: "Moderately heavy and hard with medium bending and crushing strength, low stiffness and shock resistance, moderate decay resistance, and good stability in use. Poor steam bending rating." (Source; www.woodbinwoodworking)

Sepelle/Sapele whatever shares the same characteristics: Medium weight, bending strength, crushing strength, shock resistance, decay resistance, and movement in service. Low stiffness and steam bending rating.

Eastern White Pine: Soft, weak, and light with low decay resistance, shock resistance, and steam bending. Very stable in service.

Black Locust: Heavy, moderately hard, with high bending and crushing strength, stiffness, shock resistance, and decay resistance.

Black Walnut: Moderately heavy, hard, strong, and stiff, with good decay resistance and dimensional stability.

So, since mahogany or sapelle is harder to obtain perhaps some Black Walnut might work and can be found close to your home. See below.

Woodcraft - Canton, MI  Canton MI (3 miles)
      B&B Heartwoods, Inc.  Ann Arbor MI (15 miles)
      Armstrong Millworks, Inc.  Highland MI (17 miles)
      Custom Sawing by John Haling  Whitmore Lake MI (18 miles)
      Public Lumber Company  Detroit MI (18 miles)
      Woodcraft - Sterling Heights, MI  Sterling Heights MI (25 miles)
      Woodcraft - Saginaw, MI  Saginaw MI (78 miles)
      Woodcraft - Grand Rapids, MI  Grand Rapids MI (111 miles)
      Steve's Hardwoods, Inc.  Bucyrus OH (112 miles)
      Wible's U-Pick Hardwoods  South Milford IN (114 miles)
Permalink Reply by Michael Rosso on March 20, 2012 at 7:15am

Forgive me, Mahog.  For I have sinned.

It has been 3 days since my last fly-cast.   I used Orvis's new Clearwater II graphite rod.  I did not use Mahogany Duns.

Please forgive my insolence.   I am preparing to send all of my heretical gear to your faithful servant, Rick Newman to be expunged forthwith.

 

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 20, 2012 at 8:55am

I await the shipment, please send tracking number as soon as possible! I won't leave home until the shipment arrives.

Actually I won't be leaving home much as I am working on sanding and finishing the boat furniture and plywood. Then I can start to assemble those parts. I am waiting for some warmer temperatures before I do some more epoxy on the sides prior to several coats of clear finish while the parts are still horizontal.

Hoping to pickup a trailer, found a nice one, it's only 400 miles away!

Rick

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 20, 2012 at 10:02am

Michael, just for grins I did a a search on http://www.allofcraigs.com and found quite a bit of hardwood available. Much of it is apparently leftover and retired woodworker wood. It might be worth a look for your area.

Rick

Permalink Reply by Michael Rosso on March 20, 2012 at 10:21am

Rick, Mahog has smiled upon me.  I found this nice 4 x 6 x 60 inch piece of South American Mahogany in my truck bed with a note that said,

"don't trust Rick.  Thanks for repenting.  Keep your gear and have a nice fishing season."

                                       -Your pal,

                                                              Mahog

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 20, 2012 at 10:33am

Mahog thanks you! What is that item next to the fine piece of Mahogany! How dare you sin with such an object!

Rick

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on March 20, 2012 at 10:46am

Mahog:  Whats with the spinning reel in the bed of the truck? Do you have any nightcrawlers  in the the truck?  Nice looking piece of mahogany. 

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