by reiltear » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:17 am
Just to put my 1.5 cents in. I love redwood. It looks great, etc. They are majestic trees. And at the same time I had two experiences that call it's "usefullness" into question.
I work in construction and have a small(20') sailboat. On the first occasion, the redwood fence we demolished was rotten through and full of termites it was supposed to be resistant to. The second incident occured at sea, where the tiller(originally made of mahagony) broke, because it was, as termites told me, very delicious. So I made the new tiller out of redwood. Finished it with $30/quart System 3 varnish. 5 coats. 2 years later the termites are thanking me for the snack(they ate the sapwood) and want me to make another one!
The "moral" of this story is, if redwood is free - use it, if not... no wood is forever. Apparently the termites and other organisms forgot to read their textbook on how they are not supposed to eat it...(redwood I mean...)
Heikki, I've lined closets with cedar and I like the smell, but moths, who like eating our woolie jumpers, don't. So, if it smells too strong, just carry a small stick or two with you to protect your clothes. I have a clew(part of the mainsail, for those who don't), I grew up in some cold climes too and cedar is way better than mothballs. Don't know how to Finnish it, 'cause I never have.
Thanks to all for putting up with me again, Ilya