Lime wood
Contents |
Introduction
Also known as tilia, linden, and basswood, lime trees are found throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. The flowers are commonly used to make tea, while the wood is used for carving. These trees are deciduous, reaching around 20 m to 40 m in height (65 ft to 130 ft).
Description
Lime trees have a wide range of species, of which there are small-leaved trees, large-leaved trees, and a hybrid of both known as common lime. All types of lime trees are very similar and their wood is difficult to distinguish; a white-yellow, with an occasional red or green tone. Its rings are slightly visible, and provides a longitudinal surface with a light wavy grain or light stripes.
Carving and whittling
Lime wood is one of the easiest woods to work with when carving. Despite being a hardwood, it easily takes in details as it is soft and crisp to carve. With straight grain and even texture, lime wood very rarely warps. This makes it suitable for both small and large pieces, for either carving or whittling.
Sharp cutters are preferable when shaping or planning to avoid fuzzy surfaces. When glueing and applying finishes, lime wood presents a beautiful finish. Often recommended for beginners, lime wood does not cause allergic reactions.
Applications:
Keeping tools sharp
While lime wood is an easy wood to work with, it is necessary to keep woodworking tools sharp and well maintained. In order to ensure tools don’t rust, they must be wiped with oil – this includes gouges, chisels, and knives. Properly maintained tools last many years, and allow for optimised carving.
Another tip for having sharp tools is to keep them in separate containers, rather than loose in a box where they bump against each other. Keeping tools in their appropriate places after use also avoids potential accidents that can cause injury and dull of the tools.
With regular sharpening of tools, designs are carved smoothly and tools are always ready to use. Sharpened chisels may reduce the bevel’s angle, which allows for the preferred angle between 15 degrees and 20 degrees. An oilstone is the typical sharpening stone used, either synthetic or natural. Natural oilstones that are more commonly used are the Washita and the Arkansas stones.
--G&S Specialist Timber 12:01, 16 Mar 2017 (BST)
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 11 things you didn't know about wood.
- Bamboo.
- Chip carving.
- Cross-laminated timber.
- Definition of tree for planning purposes.
- Engineered bamboo.
- European Union Timber Regulation.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Pine wood.
- Pine leaves.
- Plywood.
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
- Softwood.
- The Scientific Properties of Wood.
- Timber.
- Timber preservation.
- Timber vs wood.
- Tree preservation order.
- Tree rights.
- Types of timber.
- Walnut.
- Wood ash.
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.