Red Gum For Interior Finish '^'^' 



Few wooils illustrate nuirr pdintcllv tliiui i.-.| ;^iiiti tlir \:iliii' of 

 a thorough knowleilge of the ways of liaiulliii}; thoiu. This wood 

 has been I'arefully studied by maiiufatturers boi'ause of the beauty 

 of its grain and color and of its many good properties. The fact 

 that its likable qualities are intimately associated with some which 

 are not so desirable, increases interest in this material, because 

 it has been found practicable to eliminate the objectionable fea- 

 tures and accentuate those which are pleasing. To do this, however, 

 requires knowledge in the art of handling. 



As is well known, it was not many years ago that red gum was 

 unwelcome in any woodworking establishment in the country be- 

 cau.se nobody wanted to handle it. It was looked upon as too 

 difficult to season, and too 

 troublesome after seasoning. The 

 beauty of the wood was well 

 known, but there was such 

 strong prejudice against it that 

 a long time elapsed before any- 

 one would consent to give it a 

 fair trial. 



The time came, however, when 

 red gum forced its way into 

 |M,;.uIar esteem. It won on its 

 ini'iits ia spite of the handicap 

 of prejudice. The fact is, the 

 way was shown by users of this 

 wood on the other side of the 

 sea, who were more patient than 

 the Americans, if not quicker to 

 recognize the merits of the 

 wood. Red gum was used in 

 England. Frame, and Italy, liv 

 the best manufacturers, long 

 before it had any standing iu 

 the land that produced it. 



The hardest problem to be 

 mastered in this country was the 

 seasoning. That trouble was 

 finally overcome, and the results 

 fully justified the effort. Many 

 leading manufacturers now 

 handle the wood, and some spe- 

 cialize on it, using it in their 

 finest and most exacting work. 

 It was formerly employed under 

 names other than its own. It 

 wa.s passed as Circassian walnut, 

 and it could be finished to imi- 

 tate that wood so successfully 

 that many a purchaser never 

 could be made to believe that 

 the wood was red gum. 



The policy of calling it by some other name is now passing away. 

 It stands on its own merits and' under its own name. Fine build- 

 ings are being finished with it, in wainscoting, columns, beams 

 and panels. 



The accompanying picture of an interior view of the residence 

 of J. B. Utley, Evanston, 111., affords an idea of what is being 

 done with red gum. The milling was done b.y the Chicago Sash, 

 Door and Blind Company, 1255 North avenue, Chicago. 



No wood could stay in its place or hold its shape l)etter. There 

 are various combinations, as an examination of the picture shows. 

 There arc panels, molding, and frames. Some of it is solid gum, 

 an inch or more in thickness, some is thinner, yet solid, while 

 some is veneer glued upon cores of other woods. All stands alike, 

 all perfect, without a defect anywhere visible. No wood coubl 

 present a more handsome appearance. 



K. \\ . DiiMsscii. whii lia.l >uin'i\ isiou of tile milling of the gum 

 shown in the jiicturc, has made a study of the seasoning and 

 working of red gum, and he has arrived at very definite conclu- 

 sions as to what the wood is capable of. When it is desired to 

 build up solid pieces, using inch lumber, it is preferred that the 

 stock be quarter-sawed. This is not done for the purpose of in- 

 creasing the beauty of the figure, though incidentally that result 

 is often secured. The principal object is to obtain wood which 

 will season straight and remain straight after it is seasoned. 

 K.\]ierience indicates that this is n^ore apt to occur with quarter- 

 sawed stock than with the other; but it bj- no means proves that 

 ordinary lumber may not also be finished and seasoned in the same 

 way with equal safety. 



The seasoning is not done by 

 any secret process, but it must 

 be done with judgment and care 

 if the best results are sought. 

 Air-seasoning and kUn-drj-ing 

 are employed; and an increasing 

 quantity of the wood is sub- 

 jected to steam under pressure 

 before passing through the 

 kilns. 



It is well known that the red 

 gum tree produces both sap lum- 

 lier and heart wood. Some call 

 the former "'saps" and the lat- 

 ter ' ' red gum. ' ' though both are 

 cut from the same tree. Mr. 

 Dierssen's experience has been 

 that when he uses inch lumber 

 for interior finish most satisfac- 

 tory results follow the use of 

 lieart wood only. It is not 

 claimed that sap may not be 

 equally satisfactory under cer- 

 tain circumstances; but it is be- 

 lieved to be less dependable in 

 seasoning. 



When veneered panels are 

 used adjacent to solid quarter- 

 sawed work, it is customary to 

 use quartered veneer also, in or- 

 der that there may be uniform- 

 ity in appearance. Such veneer 

 is made by the slicing process 

 and it is cut from the bark to 

 the heart. It may be cut very 

 thin, because the wood is suf- 

 ficiently tough to hold itself to- 

 gether. 



When solid red gum is to be 

 worked into cabinets and finish the most careful inspection occurs 

 before the work begins, because it is absolutely necessary that 

 material be in proper condition before any cutting and fitting are 

 done. If this matter is properly attended to there is no danger 

 that the finished work will warp, twist, or pull apart. Unsatisfac- 

 tory results in gum employed as interior finish nearly always are 

 due to the fact that the woo<l was worked up before it was prop- 

 erly seasoned. This, of course, holds when the right kind of stock 

 has been selected, as well as in wrong selections. Everything must 

 be right to begin with. 



The accompanying picture shows gum joinery in close proximity 

 to the fireplace. That is a position which will try the standing 

 qualities of any wood. The heat and dryness are excessive, and 

 if joints do not pull apart there and panels warp or blister, they 

 will not do so anywhere. 



—17— 



)MK I.NTKItlOR OF UKD Ul'M SlIOWIXC SoMl: INT 

 DIFFICULT CORNICE AND PANEL WORK 

 UNDER A SEVERE TEST 



