Rubberwood: no bounGe, no stretch

Ry,"i#H?R.13:ff#i#i:

finished or semi-finished form in the last l0 years.

Although the origins of rubberwood in Malaysia can be traced back to the introduction of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) from Brazil in 1877, rubberwood was mainly used as wood for fuel and charcoal. The supply has always been ample because of the systematic replanting programs encouraged for rubber plantations by the Malaysian govemment. Malaysia is the world's largest producer of natural rubber, producing millions of tons annually.

In the late 1970s when an acute shortage of logs of traditional species occurred. rubberwood became an alternative source of timber. Since then it has shown great potential.

Newer and better ways of utilizing rubberwood are being developed by the Forest Research Institute and the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia. Particleboard, parquetry and strip flooring as well as glue laminated products and fiber boards are products considered suitable.

Rubberwood is already being used for wood pulp, blockboard cores, sawn timber and furniture. Japan is the main user of wood pulp chips. Sawn timber goes to Singapore, Japan. South Korea and Taiwan. The United States is a market for furniture, often KD, made of rubberwood.

Initially rubberwood was used to replace ramin in furniture manufac- turing, but it has achieved status for its own natural beauty and light colored texture. Its strength and good machining properties make it suitable for the products named as well as other potential uses. Almost straw colored in appearance, the wood is moderately coarse in texture with a straight grain.

Rubberwood can be stained easily to any desired color. It planes to a smooth finish, although boring and turning can produce a rough surface which must be sanded smooth. The wood polishes well.

The first step in processing rubberwood is the removal of the logs from the plantation site after the trees have been felled during the replanting process. It is essential that the logs be processed as soon as possible after felling to minimize biodeterioration. The logs may be processed on site or transported to a sawmill for sawing into planks. Chemical treatment is necessary to prevent blue stains and mould infection. This is accomplished by dipping immediately after sawing.

Story at a Glance

Replanting programs create ample supply...early substitute lor ramin...used for llooring, furniture, laminated products, f iber boards.

Pressure treatment with CCA chemicals is not used because it turns rubberwood a greenish yellow color. After sawing and treatment, the sawn timber is stacked for air drying. Kiln drying is the last stage in the preservative treatment. The length of drying depends on the thickness of the sawn timber involved. The moisture content after drying is 8-1290.

Processing from this point depends upon the final use ofthe wood. Sawn timbers, mouldings and furniture require different preparation.

Rubberwood is in plentiful supply in Malaysia. Its availability is assured through the systematic replanting programs for the plantations. At present 1.78 million hectares are planted to rubber. Approximately 1.5 hectares of this figure are in Peninsular Malaysia. The rubber tree reaches the end of its prime production in 25 years. At that time it is no longer economical to use it to produce latex although the wood can be utilized. Replanting is carried out at about the rate of 390 annually. This means that in Peninsular Malaysia alone about 45,000 hectares of rubber trees are cut each year.

Based on an average estimated green wood production of 260 cubic meters per hectare, the estimated availability of rubberwood is about 13.5 million cubic meters per year.

The cost of rough sawn rubberwood has increased as its value has been discovered. In late 1978, it cost $280 per ton in Malaysian currency. Today, the price is $350.

Swinging Doors

"Installation of Exterior Wood Swinging Door Systems" is free from the National Woodwork Manufacturers Association, 205 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, Il. 60068.

Handy Xerox Installations

"Installation Requirements for Xerox Equipment" is free from Xerox Space Requirements, Public Relations, Xerox Square/006-B, Rochester, N.Y. l4@.

Home Safety

"Blueprint for Excellence," a 20-p. brochure of residential security hardware is free from Schlage/IHS Division, 15540 Roxford St., Sylmar, Ca.91342.

Enlightening Topics

"Light Channel," a 4<olor brochure on protected linear low-voltage lighting with even light diffusion and riSld construction is free from Sylvan Designs, Inc., 8921 Quartz Ave., Northridge, Ca. 9t3U.

The Vinyl Touch

"Trims & Mouldings," a full color brochure of vinyl accessories, is free from Vinyl Improvement Products Co.. P.O. Box 498, Columbus, Oh.43216.

Heating & A.C. Video

Information on a video instruction program (VIP) for sellers, installers and servicers of heating and air conditioning products is free from Lennox Industries. Education Dept., Box 809000, Dallas. Tx. 75380.

Fastenating Tips

The lGp. "Specifications for Grabber Line Screws" in color is free from John Wagner Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 4060, Concord, Ca.9154.

Roofing Materials Gulde

The sixth edition of the semi-annual "Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Roofing Materials Guide" is $85 for an annual subscription from the National Roofing Contractors Association, 8600 Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, Il. 60631.

Manufacturlng Members

One copy of the 1985 Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association Membership Directory is free from SLMA, P.O. Box 1788, Forest Park, Ga. 30051. Additional copies are $2 ea.

Sky Hlgh Style

A l6-p. color brochure on glass and acrylic architectural skylights is free from Plasteco, lnc,, P.O. Box 24158. Houston. Tx.77229.

Malntaln The Pace

A 32-p. d-i-y building maintenance products guide is free from Randustrial Corp., l33ll-NR Union Ave., Cleveland, Oh..14120.

Lift Truck Upkeep

Lift truck maintenance tips in bulletin #2810 are free from Yale Inquiry Center, Dept. 183, P.O. Box 12936, Philadelphia, Pa. 19108.

Cooler Days Ahead

A ?Ip., 4color catalog on water coolers is free from Haws Drinking Faucet Co., P.O. Box 1999, Berkeley, Ca.W|l.

Fireplace Sources

Fireplace product information and installation specifications, the "Architect's Sourcebook" binder, is free from Preway, 1430 2nd St. No., Wisconsin Rapids, Wi. s491.

Bicycle Anti.Theft Guide

"How to Avoid Bicycle Theft," a comprehensive guide is $5.95 from Hands Off Publishing, P.O. Box 68, Tacoma, Wa. 98401.

Wlring Thoughts

"Ideas in Wire" for aisle, wall and counter displays is free from Commercial Wire and Display Products Corp., 1827 Broadway, Rockford, Il. 61106.

Kitchen Trivia

"What You Should Know about Kitchens," a l2-p. brochure on cabinets, is free from Excel, Marketing Dept., Lakewood. N.J.

Alarming Information

A 9Gp. catalog of alarm supplies is available free by writing Mountain West Catalog, P.O. Box 10780, Phoenix, Az. 85064 or calling l-80G528-6169.

For Prompt Service

On all New Literature stories write directly to the name and address shown in each item. Please mention that you saw it in The Merchant Magazine. Many thanks!

Hand Tool Know How

A multi-media progrnm including wall charts. 16 mm color film. audio,/visual slide presentation, flyers and a llO-p. booklet on hand tool safety is available from Hand Tools Institute. 25 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591.

A Fifth For The Woodsman

Approximately 228 million wood pallets were made last year, earning $2 billion for manufacturers and using a fifth of all the wood purchased in the United States. Onty Uuitaing construction consumed more lumber than pallei m€ulufacturing.

EASTER Seal Telethon phone lines were manned bv 15 members of the Rogue Valley Hp-f o0 Club, Medford, 0r. , for one hour, raising $2,449 for the local chapter. (teft to right) Mark Hefley, phil Burie, Brad Momson, Doug Seeley, Bruce Momson. This is thesecond vear that the club has assisted in the telethon.

is the PR0FESSl0llA['S ALt PURP0SE PtASTtC l;e',,illi.:. 16 matchins ryood cotors

Boat builders, furniture makers, cabinet makers, etc. have found it the one sure answer to correcting wood defects, filling wooo cracks, gouges, covering countersunk nails and screws.

Can be used under Fiher Glass!

Ready to use right out of the can, Famowood applies like putty-sticks like glue; dries quickly; won't shrink; takes spirit stains, quickly; and will not gum up sander. Waterproof and weatherproof when properly applied.

BEVERLY

C(lMPANY

"LOOKING AROUND"says paul Bunyan

Paul does not rest on his fame as the lumberman,s svmbol of pcompJishment. New requirements and changrng conditions keep him alert to progress.