Reply To: Roof wood replacement- Steel Strapping

[Jim Chase]

Well, since we are sharing pictures, I am also in the midst of replacing the top picture frame and bows. I am using white ash, it is easy to get mailorder from woodworkerssource.com. I think ash is less prone to splitting than oak. When I did my Packard 35 years ago I switched midway in the restoration from ash to maple as it was more available locally and I preferred it best for working without splitting – all of those countersunk wood screws.

Packards were originally white ash, not sure about Pierce. A Packard expert waxed poetic about the superiority of ash for car bodies, however my dad, who had been in the sawmill industry in Wisconsin said it probably had more to due with the availability of ash in the midwest at that time.

I have been stalled for two weeks before installing the picture frame as I found hidden rot in the driver side longeron below the picture frame that is part of the primary structure keeping the top of the “B”” pillar in place. I am finishing up that repair today.

Jim”