Carpentry

 

Gorean Lumber

 

Tem-Wood:  This is a tree that produces a very strong and supple black wood.  It is often used in important construction.  Wood from the Tem-Wood is used to make rudders and oars on ships.

 

Tur Tree:  This tree is a lofty, reddish tree that may grow to two hundred feet or more.  It is similar to the redwoods of Earth.  It is a very common in the northern forests of Gor.  The city of Turia derived its name from these trees.  Legend states that a Tur tree was found on the southern plains near a spring.  No one knows who wanted the tree there or why.  A city then grew in that area and would become known as Turia.  Tur wood is used for galleys, frames, beams, clamps, posts and hull planking on ships.

 

Needle tree:  This is an evergreen tree, indigenous to Thentis and the northern forests.  Its oil can be used to make perfume.  These trees are used to construct the mast, spars, cabin and deck planking for ships.

 

Hogarthe trees:  These trees are reminiscent of Earth poplar trees.  They have white bark and shimmering green leaves.  They are about fifty feet tall and lay about thirty to forty feet from each other.  They are most commonly found near areas of water within the Barrens, the home of the Red Savages.  These trees are named for Hogarthe, an early white explorer of the Barrens region.

 

Ka-la-na tree: The Ka-la-na tree is also known as the wine tree because the famous Ka-la-na wine is derived from its fruit. The bark and inner wood of this tree is yellow and the wood is actually very strong and supple. It is commonly used in making bows. The tree fruit that can be eaten as is or used to create wine. The tree smells sweet, likely due to its fruit and not the wood itself. The books unfortunately do not describe what Ka-la-na fruit looks like. Ka-la-na orchards are very common across Gor and many cities make their own brand of Ka-la-na wine. Though Ka-la-na wine is depicted in the books predominantly as red, there is some indication that may not be its only possible color. Ka-la-na does come in sweet, dry and light varieties.  Wood from the Ka-la-na tree is used to make capstans and Mastheads on ships.

 

Carpentry Joints

 

Bridle Joint - Also known as open tenon, open mortise and tenon, or tongue and fork joints, this joint is where the through mortise is open on one side and forms a fork shape. The mate has a through tenon or necked joint. Bridle joints are commonly used to join rafter tops, also used in scarf joints and sometimes sill corner joints in timber framing.

 

Butt Joint - The end of a piece of wood is butted against another piece of wood. This is the simplest and weakest joint.

 

Miter Joint - Similar to a butt joint, but both pieces have been bevelled (usually at a 45 degree angle).

 

Finger Joint - A corner joint with interlocking fingers. Receives pressure from two directions.

 

Dovetail Joint - A form of box joint where the fingers are locked together by diagonal cuts. More secure than a finger joint.

 

Dado Joint - Also called a housing joint or trench joint, a slot is cut across the grain in one piece for another piece to set into; shelves on a bookshelf having slots cut into the sides of the shelf, for example.

 

Groove Joint - Like the dado joint, except that the slot is cut with the grain.

 

Tongue and Groove Joint - Each piece has a groove cut all along one edge, and a thin, deep ridge (the tongue) on the opposite edge. If the tongue is unattached, it is considered a spline joint.

 

Mortise and Tenon Joint - A stub (the tenon) will fit tightly into a hole cut for it (the mortise). This is a hallmark of Mission Style furniture, and also the traditional method of jointing frame and panel members in doors, windows, and cabinets. This joint is a good strong joint to use.

 

Bird's Mouth Joint - Also called a bird's beak cut, this joint used in roof construction. A V-shaped cut in the rafter connects the rafter to the wall-plate.

 

Halved Joint - A joint in which the two members are joined by removing material from each at the point of intersection so that they overlap.

 

Splice Joint - A joint used to attach two members end to end.