Hi Reza and team, in your recent video on "Making a tailor's Ham", you mentioned the use of sawdust as an alternative to cloth filling. I'm considering that approach but am curious about the required fineness of the dust. Does it matter whether I use wood filings (the twirly kind), chips (as found in cedar sachets), or actual dust?
Also, is there a recommendation as to the type of wood?
E.G. Would cedar work (like in the sachets just mentioned), or would a hardwood be preferred (like maple or oak used to make clappers)?
Many thanks!
Hi,
After some thought, I would recommend finding a bag of small animal (hamster, etc.) bedding. It is clean industrial planer shavings from a blonde wood. It is dry and will turn to dust a little as you handle it but not a lot, and certainly not to the point that it will loose it's volume. With the shavings, some of the fiber length is preserved, maybe 1/4" - 6mm, whereas sawdust is a fine powder and will compress without leaving any air gaps.
I have clappers made of maple because I had some pieces. But after listening to Reza speak about the desired qualities, I would think that spruce would be perfect. Quartersawn ideally, like the soundboard of a guitar. That's normal construction wood, easy to find, maybe not the quartersawn...
It would want to be a section free of knots and somehow be cut to length, flattened, and made pleasant to handle. It contains no tannins or oils/resins that may stain the work after steaming. Generally any wood that is attractive because of its color may cause problems on light colored fabric when presented with steam.
The spruce is also lightweight and relatively porous so it will absorb heat readily. In the case of spruce, I would caution using a piece that has a strong terpene/pine smell, that would mean that there's resin present. That would really depend where you live in the world and what exactly is being sold. Otherwise, the more bland looking the better.
If the clapper must be a hardwood I would recommend either maple or beech. Both are sold to hobbiest woodworkers as either turning stock or table leg stock, etc. That would be the way to find a piece of wood which would require little more than a bit of sanding before use. You might want to ask Reza what dimension would be ideal.
Best of Luck
Matt
Hello Travis!
Excellent question!
The finer the dust, the better. But avoid the finest baby powder dust. Keep in mind that finer dusts require a fabric with a tighter weave for the skeleton. It should not easily get out.
The type of wood makes a difference in weight and colouring. Some woods give colour which is not desirable. Avoid those.
The lighter the ham the better. Choose lighter woods.
@Matthew Dirr is a professional carpenter. You can get more advise on wood types from him.
Make sure to share your results with us :)
Reza
International School of Tailoring