Special lssue: Hardwood Tropical hardwood timber

By R. W. Davidson Program Manager Tropical Timber Inform ation Center State University of N.Y. Syracuse, N.Y. 13210

A review of the activities of the Tropical Timber Information Center for the first half of 1976 shows that of the approximately 100 inquiries received, the majority of these concerned various questions about South American species.

Questions concerning woods originating in Southeast Asia ran a strong second and a few inquiries were received concerning African woods. Thus it would appear that the importers using our services are demonstrating a very active interest in woods coming from South America.

In general these inquiries covered a very broad range of topics, however, a great number of them were accompanied by wood samples for which a specific identification was requested. Sometimes the identification was sufficient to answer the request, however, in many cases additional information on potential uses for these woods was needed.

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Other inquiries concerned actual production or utilization problems involving imported woods for which technical information or advice was needed in order to solve the problem.

Based on the nature of the inquiries we have received this year, it would appear that U.S. importers are:

(l) Looking for woods that can be used as substitutes for others that are in short supply or commanding too high a price.

(2) Looking for new woods that will enable an importer to expand his market.

(3) Actually importing lesser known species and are encountering some problems in their use.

(4) Confused by the different common names used for the same kind of wood that can originate in different countries.

(5) Looking for woods to supply special highly technical requirements and not only need recommendations for oossible species, but also need ipecific engineering information.

It seems safe to say that the phenomena of using different and mixed species of wood for traditional applications that has been evident in the domestic lumber markets for several years is beginning to show up in the import markets and there is every reason to believe that the trend toward using new and mixed species of imported woods will grow. This, of course, is an absolute essential to provide for the efficient utilization of the tropical forests and therefore it will become increasingly necessary for importers to famiiarize themselves and their customers with the potential ofthese new species.

Truly a "chip off the old block", the new National Division of J. E. Higgins Lumber Company is ready - willing and able to handle your toughest requirement. From pencil stock to ship sparsHardwood of any sPecies to Softwoods and Redwood you name it, if it's grown, we have it Imported and Domestic. The Higgins "baby" ,n c&rr handle it . . After all, "little sh&vers" with parents 9Syears old do know a pitchpocket from a knot hole!

Give us a call!

Ond Selectedsolesoids

D-l-Y Hardwood Plank

A new prefinished random-width oak plank floor, Colony Plank, offers an easy solution to the high cost of installation, according to its maker, Memphis Hardwood Flooring Co.

It combines 3", 4" and 6" plank widths, all 314" thick, in an equallineal nested package of 26 sq. ft. Completely sanded, finished and waxed at the factory, Colony has end-grain walnut plugs in both ends of all planks, to provide an appearance reminiscent of pegged-down Colonial floors.

Colony plank is select and better grade and is finished dark antique brown, in either red or white oak. Pegs are positioned near the ends of each board with one in ends of 3" and 4" widths, and two in the 6" boards. The pegs are glued in place before prefinishing which is one key to low-cost installation.

Installation practice varies, but some floor installers prefer to lay wide planks by blind-nailing, plus wood screw face fasteners put in under the walnut plugs. This preference is especially common when 7" or 8" boards are involved. Labor runs upwards of 201 a sq. ft.

Colony Plank, using as its widest board a 6" width needs no facefastenings, thus eliminates this cost says the company. The only fastening required is blind-nailing as used to install strip flooring. Also, since pegs are installed before sanding and finishing, they are perfectly even with the surface of the boards, unlike pegs pounded in after screws are installed. Because it is the simplest random plank to install, it is recommended for "do-it-yourself" installers, for use over plywood subfloors or old wood floors.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Cedar Panels OK'd

Giles & Kendall, Inc. manufacturers of cedar closet paneling, have announced that their ll4" and 3/16" panels have been awarded the Class "C" rating for fire safety by the Hardwood Plywood M anufacturers Association.

The rating, based on the ASTM-884 25-foot Tunnel Furnace Test, assures that the cedar panels fully comply with HUD requirements.

G&K closet paneling is made of 100% aromatic Tennessee red cedar flakes compressed into sturdy 4' x 8' panels. As easy to install as plywood, the cedar closet panels have found steadily increasing acceptance in homes, apartment projects, mobile homes and the do-it-yourself market.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca.92660.

A New Face on Things

States Veneer. Inc.. has a new line of overlay panels which includes premium veneer overlays on particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and veneer core.

The firm is now offering a wide range of veneer faces, including birch, pine, oak, cedar, fir, and lauan on 4'x x 8' industrial board cores in thicknesses from 3/8" to 3/4". With the elevation of overlay panels to a fulltime production item, States now has the capacity to fill carload orders and to combine overlay panels with regular prefinished paneling orders with no shipping delay.

The economic and machining advantages of particleboard and medium density fiberboard in the construction of decorative woodwork has brought industrial board into great demand in recent years.

A disadvantage, however, has been the difficulty of giving industrial board products the beauty of natural wood. StatesVeneer's application of premium veneers to various industrial board cores now makes it possible for craftsmen to combine the significant advantages of industrial board construction with the visual beauty of high-grade natural wood stock, according to the company.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92660.

Xmas Chain Saw Push

Two Fall/Christmas promotions have been announced by Homelite to help dealers increase chain saw sales during the holiday gift-giving season. Included is a door-opening $10 price-off sale on each purchase of Homelite's lightweight XL model, normally priced at $ I 14.95

Until December 3l, 197 6, the chain saw with 10" guide bar and chain (equipped with Homelite's exclusive Safe-T-Tip anti-kickback device) will be $ 104.95.

Newspaper repro sheets, large twocolor poster and 6" pressure sensitive labels to attach to each saw are available.

With the purchase of any of four other Homelite models, the firm is offering consumers a free carry case, which means a savings of $ 10 to $ 13.95, depending on the model.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92660.

Ornamental lron Display

The Logan Co., has a new island merchandiser for displaying its economy line of ornamental iron products. Intended principally for the do-ityourself market, this colorful merchandiser contains Logan's Colonnade railings, posts, columns, scrolls, base plates and all the other components required for installation by the home handyman.

Complete instructions on planning, measuring and parts selection are included with the display to promote sales to the retail customer. Ease of installation is emphasized using Logan's patented No-Drill fittines.

- Although requiring less than 25 sq. ft. of floor space, the merchandisel contains a complete basic stock for the retailer. It is designed in bright colors to complement the flat black finish of the product.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500- Campus -D-r., suite 476, NEwport Beach, Ca. 92660.

New Fiberglass Slngles

CertainTeed Corp. has added two new fiber glass, no cut-out shingles to its line of roofing products.

The new shingles, Countrycut and Glasscraft, join CertainTeed's familv of fiber glass shingles which already includes Glasstex shingles, the only textured Class "A" asphalt roofing in the industry, and Glassguard shingles.

The no cut-out design of the two new additions offers easier installation. less waste, and a more even. uniform appearance, according to the company.

Because there are no cut-outs to line up, the ends of the shingles join automatically resulting in faster appli- cation. No cut-out design also assules 100/o coverage and eliminates the area of fastest wear on a roof, the area under the cut-out.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

New Baseboard Grille

Lima Register Co. a manufacturer of steel and aluminum registers, grilles and diffusers. has added a new baseboard return air grille (series 2l) to their line of registers, grilles and diffusers. It is available in I 8 sizes.

It has specially designed curved louvers (same as series l8) that permit high velocity air to pass through quietly, without the usual air resistance caused by edges of ordinary flat louvers. The ll2" louvers are spaced l12" apart and deflect 30o to reduce see-through. The entire grille is made from a solid piece of heavy gauge steel. The curve of the louvers also adds to the strength and rigidity of this grille.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500- Campus Dr., suite 476, N-wport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Bamboo Bath Cabinet

"Bamboo". a new distinctivelv styled bathroom cabinet with a tropical flair by Triangle Home Products has a 18" x 26" wood frame on the cabinet to simulate bamboo.

It is available in either walnut or antique ivory finish, in either recess or surface mount models. The bodv is made of hi-impact polystyrene which is rust proof, will never need refinishing and is easy to clean. The plate glass mirror is guaranteed 10 years against silver spoilage.

It may be mounted for either rieht or left hand opening and featureJ a magnetic door catch.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.9266O.

Shelves With Brackets

Reflector Hardware Corp. has a new line of sturdy metal shelving with attached folding brackets. It offers a number of exceptional merchandising advantages, The shelves are delivered with the brackets attached eliminating the problem of looking for lost or misplaced brackets. The brackets also fold allowing for neat, flat storage of the shelves.

The brackets are designed to fit /2" universal slotted standards, uprights and frames. No tools are required to seat the brackets in slotted uprights. If necessary, the spacing between the attached brackets can be easily changed by repositioning the brackets in an alternate set of mounting slots on the shelf.

Six rows of diamond perforations are rincluded to aclcommodate dividers and binning hardware. The shelves are offered in a range of sizes and both shelves and brackets are finished in ivory.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92660.