62 



WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES 



wag-on boards, but of late years it has been replaced with cotton, 

 wood, red gum and yellow pine. It is the principal paint 

 wood for fine vehicle bodies and in the early stages of auto- 

 mobile manufacture was almost entirely the only material used for 

 limousine and other style motor car bodies. Its affinity for paint 

 and capacity for taking- a high polish, together with its width and 

 clear grades gave it the preference over other woods. Manufacturers 

 of bodies, which is practically a distinct industry, now report that 

 metal has almost entirely supplanted wood in this respect, being- 

 more satisfactory because the hidden defects of the former are apt 

 to show with each change of temperature. Ash and maple are 

 g-enerally used for body frames, where great strength is required. 

 All of the richer cabinet woods reported were employed by the 

 automobile maker, the windshield and steering- wheel especially 

 requiring- woods of beautiful grain and capable of hig-h finish. 



Fig. 16. A small carriage maker who has converted his business 

 to making automobile bodies. 



Beech is largely used for the felloes of heavy vehicles, and a 

 considerable amount is noted; but all of this wood does not enter into 

 felloes; indeed the larg-er part of it is converted into wheelbarrows. 

 Although beech is a strong and stiff wood and wears well and long, 

 it is more likely to break under a sudden jar or strain than whfte oak. 



"White oak is preferred for skeined axles. Red oak and sugar 



