wood, hardwood, strong, springy

I know that bamboo is very strong and flexible, but I imagine that you might not have access to it. Possible hard maple, but I’m not too sure on that one. I’m interested to see what other people suggest.

-- Ryan

Probably more information than you want to know about elasticity and strength:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr190/chapter_05.pdf

bobsmyuncle – That is MUCH more than I can even comprehend. I’m going to need to work off other people’s experiences. I just cannot begin to digest what is written there.

Ryan – yes bamboo would be a great choice but like you said where do you get it. We’ll see what everyone else has to say here.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/44216106@N07/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

Ash? Used for oars and paddles and canoe parts for its strong and springy skills. But not cheap.

-- Mud thrown is ground lost.

How about Hickory ?- Not all the North American species grow in the northeast, but there are several that do. Wikipedia has a section on usage, and it lists some of the characteristics you are looking for.

Hope this helps Mike,

-- Chris @ Atlanta - JGM - Occam's razor tells us that when you hear hoofs, think horses not zebras.

I’ve worked hickory before and that stuff can be real hard. Now ash might be a good one I’ll have to look into it.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/44216106@N07/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

I build bows so I do know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to strong and springy. Even though a bow could be made from just about any wood if you wanted to (for example willow is definitely not the strongest wood but if you made the bow wide and long enough you could get a 35-40 lb draw from it). Back to the question, Hickory is a very tough wood (specifically Pignut Hickory although others will do very well too such as Pecan but this structure you are building sounds like it will be outside so it needs to last as well. Black Locust is very strong in tension medium in compression and will last outside, I’m just not sure you coould find it in the lumber yard, I can’t and I’m in the northeast. Bamboo is really strong in tension just not so good with compression ( I use bamboo in combination with a wood like Ipe (brazilian Walnut) which you should be able to find in the northeast. It is sold as decking but it is very hard which makes it hard to work with. Hickory is still a good choice, so is Ash also Elm too, I’m just not sure of how well they will do outside. Ipe is a strong choice and will last outside but also to get the best of it’s so-called strong and springy characteristics you need to have a strait grained board. That goes for any wood when you are asking it to behave strong and springy. Good luck, I hope I helped.

Lots of softer hardwoods, if riven to shape will outperform
tougher hardwoods sawn and/or planed to shape in this sort
of application.

I don’t know the length or cross sections you need. You
may need something that can take drilled holes without splitting.

Learning a lot here. Tom – this is for a pop up shelter that is put up for like a day or 2 max and the canvass cover covers all the structure except the legs. I’m leaning towards ash but I wonder how available elm would be.
The size of strips I need are less than 4’ long with a cross section of about 7/8” x 1/2” with 2 – 1/4” holes 1 in each end. I believe these strips should be flat grain running vertical along the 7/8” face. I’ve been thinking if I were to get a 5/4×6” x 8’ board I’d have more than enough material for the repairs. The problem I see is getting a board of specific wood cut with vertical grain. Now I know about the holes and it might split but if I use some of the broken tubing as a type of furrel on the strips and a peened over piece of tubing through the hole as a bushing I think this would be very strong.
I keep wondering about woods like willow or birtch which in nature are very bendable under heavy snow loads, just thinking what would be best. The idea of banboo I like but can I get it in the length I need? Scources guys I’m in need if scources to find these things.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/44216106@N07/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

Cricket bats are made of white willow so it must be tough. Ash is used for hurleys (like a hockey stick/bat type thing in the sport of Hurling) for its strength and bending properties. Either would do your job.
Could you not get lengths of bamboo from a garden centre?

-- Never trust a man in winklepickers

Hmmm I may look at the garden center thats a good idea. Thanks.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/44216106@N07/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises