Bob beams

[Mark Cowdrey]

Anyone (:D) have a preferred wood for bob beams? What do you think of ash?

Thanks,

Mark

[Carl Russell]

You mean the beam across a bob-sled? Not the bunk. I wouldn’t use ash, as it rots pretty fast. I prefer sugar maple or yellow birch. They are a bit heavier, but much more rugged. The bunk takes a bit of trashing, twisting and such, and ash is softer, so bolt holes, and attachment places will get enlarged causing more loosening.

If you’re thinking about lighter duty than logging, such as a double bunk bob-sled then ash would work, but let it dry, and paint it.

If you mean the runners, ash is often a good choice because if you find a tree with a crook the grain is so consistent and in this case the flexibility is a strength. They will still rot fast, so dry, paint, and keep them off the ground.

Carl.

[Mark Cowdrey]

Yes, I mean the beam that connects the two runners, not the bunk that sets (or is pinned) on top of the beam. Thanks for your suggestion. I am using it on a double bob sleigh, and as push has come to shove will not have time to let it dry. Will probably go with sugar maple for the sake of ruggedness, hope for the best & paint it next summer. Thanks, Carl.

Mark

[ngcmcn]

Mark, Ash is to soft. I’ve used red maple cause thats what i had and it worked fine, in fact it wasn’t perfectly cured and i painted it which seemed to slow down the drying. I’ve done quite a bit of wood working over the years and I’ve been told that for proper air drying its about a year for each inch of thickness. I’ve used Red Oak and Locust, my favorite wood, for bunks as well. Locust is amazing stuff. Hard, nice color, for rot resistance makes cedar look like a paper grocery bag. The old timers say it lasts a year longer then stone in the ground.Good Luck.

Neal
Maine

[Mark Cowdrey]

Thanks Neal. I’ll ask around about locust availability. I’ve heard that same longevity estimate. Red maple i have plenty of.

Mark

[Livewater Farm]

,MARK I HAVE A MILL DOWN HERE THAT SAWS ME LOCUST FOR MY SLEDS GIVE ME A CALL AND I”LL SET YOU UP WITH HIM IF YOU DONT FIND Any

BILL

[Author]

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