that wood do! *obnoxious snicker*
:)
chuck.
-----Original Message-----
From Guy Weller <Guy.Weller at kencomp.net>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 6:09 PM
Subject: Re: Thor Hammer / eared knock off spinners!
>I have an old wooden "Mell" used for driving in fencing posts. I got it
>from a farmer in North Northumberland about 20 years ago. He said it
>belonged to his dad but he didn't use it any more and gave it to me when I
>showed interest.
>
>The head is 12" long and 9" in diameter and made of English Elm. The grain
>of elm is very twisted - it runs in all directions so it is hard to split
>it. This piece is heavy and tightly grained and was obviously selected
>from a heavy fork in the tree where the timber is really convoluted. The
>only "addition" are two brass bands around each end which look to be
>original. It has a long ash handle and in use the method is to swing it in
>full circles, windmill-fashion, bringing it down onto the post top with
full
>force. Imagine the stresses on that with perhaps 100 years of heavy farm
>use and there is still no evidence of splitting.
>
>If anyone has ever looked at the timbers and design of a cartwheel it is
>interesting to see the different timbers used for each part. In the UK,
hubs
>are usually of elm because it dosn't split, the rims are of oak because it
>is hard and strong whilst the spokes are of ash which is resilient and has
>some "spring in it. Wheels are then dished to reduce the shocks
transmitted
>from rim to hub.
>
>Sorry, no LBC content, but I like wood!
>
>Guy
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