Why is sycamore used for veneers?

[Chris]

I know not every cue maker uses sycamore for veneers, Skip Weston being a notable exception, but many do use sycamore.

Why is sycamore used? why not more exotic woods, like ebony or bloodwood, etc, etc.

Does it have to do with the cost of the veneer wood? Is it because sycamore is easy to work with in such thin pieces?

I'm not trying to imply using sycamore is any way inferior to other woods. I am just curious why it seems to be the veneer wood of choice.

 

[zeeder]

I would think a couple of the main reasons are that it can be dyed easily and that it's reasonably inexpensive.

 

[Quesports]

I spoke with a very respected builder recently and he said that the sycamore veneers produce a slightly softer feel than the hardwood veneers.
Dan

 

[jazznpool]

English sycamore is in the maple family and is not to be confused with American sycamore. In general, it is whiter than maple or holly. It is relatively close-grained, machines and absorbs dye better than many other woods. It is not cheap by any means...2-4 times the cost of common poplar raw veneer. Because of the mentioned (and other) attributes, English sycamore is probably the finest wood available for colored pool cue veneers.

Martin

I know not every cue maker uses sycamore for veneers, Skip Weston being a notable exception, but many do use sycamore.

Why is sycamore used? why not more exotic woods, like ebony or bloodwood, etc, etc.

Does it have to do with the cost of the veneer wood? Is it because sycamore is easy to work with in such thin pieces?

I'm not trying to imply using sycamore is any way inferior to other woods. I am just curious why it seems to be the veneer wood of choice.

 

[TellsItLikeItIs]

I know not every cue maker uses sycamore for veneers, Skip Weston being a notable exception, but many do use sycamore.

Why is sycamore used? why not more exotic woods, like ebony or bloodwood, etc, etc.

Does it have to do with the cost of the veneer wood? Is it because sycamore is easy to work with in such thin pieces?

I'm not trying to imply using sycamore is any way inferior to other woods. I am just curious why it seems to be the veneer wood of choice.

Primary reason is that Sycamore will accept the dye better than most other woods. Poplar is also used, but doesn't dye as evenly as Sycamore.

You'll find that most cue makers using "hardwood veneers" are doing re-cut points rather than veneered points.

Personally, I don't think Poplar or Sycamore should be used in a cue. I wouldn't make a forearm from either one, so why use it at all.

 

[classiccues]

Primary reason is that Sycamore will accept the dye better than most other woods. Poplar is also used, but doesn't dye as evenly as Sycamore.

You'll find that most cue makers using "hardwood veneers" are doing re-cut points rather than veneered points.

Personally, I don't think Poplar or Sycamore should be used in a cue. I wouldn't make a forearm from either one, so why use it at all.

Well not only does sycamore take die better the glue takes better also. When I was working corporate I took a few broken cues, mostly lower end had our machinist cut the thinnest sliver he could from forearm. Under microscopy it appears the glue impregnates quite a depth into the sycamore veneer. So my guess is if you press your glued veneers you are really making a more solid piece of wood due to the impregnation depth of the glue. Does it matter? I would think so.

Joe

 

[Arnot Wadsworth]

I know not every cue maker uses sycamore for veneers, Skip Weston being a notable exception, but many do use sycamore.

Why is sycamore used? why not more exotic woods, like ebony or bloodwood, etc, etc.

Does it have to do with the cost of the veneer wood? Is it because sycamore is easy to work with in such thin pieces?

I'm not trying to imply using sycamore is any way inferior to other woods. I am just curious why it seems to be the veneer wood of choice.

Simply it is the best darn veneers money can buy and the most expensive.

 

[TellsItLikeItIs]

Well not only does sycamore take die better the glue takes better also. When I was working corporate I took a few broken cues, mostly lower end had our machinist cut the thinnest sliver he could from forearm. Under microscopy it appears the glue impregnates quite a depth into the sycamore veneer. So my guess is if you press your glued veneers you are really making a more solid piece of wood due to the impregnation depth of the glue. Does it matter? I would think so.
Joe

You remind me of myself. I like to know what makes things "tick" also.