Timber Framers Guild

Sycamore for beams or timbers

Posted By: Jim Rogers

Sycamore for beams or timbers - 11/16/11 03:29 PM

To all:
Can you give me any information about using Sycamore for beam or timbers in timber framing?
Is it good, bad, or any experiences you'd care to share?
I have a client in Indiana who wants to use some of it in his timber frame home and garage.

Jim Rogers
Posted By: Raphael D. Swift

Re: Sycamore for beams or timbers - 11/25/11 05:39 PM

I don't know about timbers. It's real pretty and stable when quarter sawn (has wide white sapwood and contrasting tan heartwood) but it moves on drying if flat sawn and rots real fast if you leave in the log pile too long frown

One of the sites I haunt lists common defects as Honeycomb (or collapse), ring check, & warp and states it's not used for light or heavy framing but doesn't go into detail.
Posted By: Jim Rogers

Re: Sycamore for beams or timbers - 11/25/11 09:47 PM

Thanks Raphael
Posted By: brad_bb

Re: Sycamore for beams or timbers - 11/28/11 03:40 PM

I have some pics from an old barn Near Indianapolis where Sycamore is used for braces and girts. I'll email you some pics. Brad
Posted By: Jim Rogers

Re: Sycamore for beams or timbers - 11/28/11 11:57 PM

Thanks
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