Current source(s) for tamarack knees?

[redbopeep]

Does anyone have a current 2006 source for tamarack knees? We have several tamarack hanging knees (leg x leg x thickness about 2 ft x 2 ft x 3") that we must replace (due to rot or cracking) in our boat. I've contacted Newman's Knees in hopes that someone will respond (understand the proprietor has died). No response.

The knees we have which will remain in the boat are lovely, so we really don't want to have to laminate something and then have to paint all of them...

Knees ship easily, we're in California....US sources??? Thanks for your help.

[seayou7]

If I hear of anything I'll give a buzzzzzzzzz. D. Keen interest also.

[Spokaloo]

It grows densely in the PacNW on the eastside of Wa, Idaho, and eastern BC.

Google regional custom sawmills, there are several that will do specialty work for you

E

[redbopeep]

Thanks for the google key words--but does anyone have personal knowledge of a regional saw mill with a good /known reputation for the specific item of tamarack knees? That would be helpful.

[dmede]

I'm also very interested in finding a source for knees. In the early stages of planing my skiff I made several contacts that sounded promising but all have fallen through.

http://www.woodfinder.com/listings/010934.php (Logs to Lumber)
These guys were the most promising and I had a couple phone conversatiosn with the owner Rick. He's a wood boat aficionado so he's into harvesting boat wood and sounded like he woudl be a good source for knees. I sent off my patterns and never heard back. By that time I didn't care anymore and just laminated my stem knees. But you may have better luck. Give him a try.

dave

[Spokaloo]

This is a small mill about 20 min from my house. They dont advertise on the Tamarack, but just ask, they might be able to accomodate you as long as the mill can use the lumber after cutting out/off the knees. I can go inspect as well, if needed.

http://www.springdalelumber.com/

This is a MAJOR west coast mill, you might get bounced around a bit, but ask them if they can do some tamarack for you.

http://www.stimsonlumber.com/index.html

And last and somewhat least, I can personally go dump a tamarack, but thats a tough one because I dont know how exactly you want it cut, and shipping is always a peach.

E

[Seth Wood]

Dmede -- Several years back I had a similar experience with Rick at Logs to Lumber. I visited his mill several times -- he does custom cuts and is interested in wooden boats. But he was so unresponsive that I finally just gave up dealing with him. Weird, because it would have been a good-sized job.

It may be that if you can pin him down he can do the work, but I wouldn't rely on it.

[JC 72]

Hey Red, Hear in The Bay Area there is a new wooden boat builder. I know that they harvest and cut all their own natural crooks, ( mostly black locust). Don't know if they would be interested in selling any of them, but you could ask. www.northbayboatworks.com. Jay is one of the partners. Their web site is worth a visit, beautiful work! John

[Bob Smalser]

...I sent off my patterns and never heard back....

A few years back I had the occasion to clear 3 acres of 80-year-old Doug Fir stumps and ran some trials on harvesting their lovely tap root knees for fun and profit.

That's why you only see laminations in my work today.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/8408305/113221960.jpg

I realize Tamarack are easier to harvest, but between the digging, hauling, powerwashing, additional dogging and additional sharpening for very few BF, it isn't a very pleasant or profitable venture for much less than a hundred bucks a BF....more than the market will bear.

There are guys here who are sufficiently nuts to mill stumps for you....log on and ask them:

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=7524.msg103411#msg103411


http://www.forestryforum.com/images/03_21_04/Picture%201879f.jpg
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php

[Ken Hutchins]

[QUOTE=Bob Smalser]A few years back I had the occasion to clear 3 acres of 80-year-old Doug Fir stumps and ran some trials on harvesting their lovely tap root knees for fun and profit.

That's why you only see laminations in my work today.

I realize Tamarack are easier to harvest, but between the digging, hauling, powerwashing, additional dogging and additional sharpening, it isn't a very pleasant or profitable venture.

There are guys here who are sufficiently nuts to mill stumps for you....log on and ask them.



ROFLMAO, I have got to agree. I have not made them from stumps myself, because it just seems like an awful lot of work, laminations are much easier and better.

[grahammckay]

Of course there's Newman's Knees I think in maine but they're more into furniture now than boats... a dory builder I know gets them shipped from Lunenburg N.S. from the same supplier the dory shop in Lunenburg uses...if you contact them you might be able to find this guy...beautiful stuff and not too pricey

[Chan]

I think newmans knees is now defunct, I hope the knees you're talking about are in an open boat left uncovered or you have alot more serious problems than replacing knees.

[dmede]

Of course there's Newman's Knees I think in maine but they're more into furniture now than boats...

Sadly, Newman's Knees is no longer in operation (at least for the time being). Newman Gee passed away not too long ago.

From what I can tell, after an extensive search and contacting several local and not so local sawyers... your best shot at getting grown knees is to do it your self. Find an orchard and see what they have laying around or harvest some in the woods. I have yet to do this, since the time needed to season would put it way past my current build. But I plan to stock up in the future.

dave

[Bob Smalser]

You mentioned "taproot knees" in Douglas Fir. I always thought tap roots were straight....

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/3075040/201865025.jpg

Tap roots are straight, if the tree grows in soil sufficiently deep.

These soils were compacted by glaciers to the consistency of concrete not very long ago geologically, and only around 24" of loamy soil has built up since. The tree sends down a straight tap root, but it hits hardpan and turns 90 degrees. Sometimes that tap root continues to serve as the main root of the tree, and sometimes the smaller side roots replace it, growing into buttresses like in the photo above.

All of them make excellent knees if you are willing to harvest them. DF root wood is exceptionally dense and resinous, and stumps still in the ground from trees harvested in 1920 still have solid roots.

So if you're hankering for knees, bring your chain saw and a dozen files over and I'll point out where they are. Some like the one shown are even small enough to move with my 6500lb-capacity hoe, and you can hose off the few hundred pounds of soil and rocks that are generally attached.