I went looking for engineering data on camellia wood, and didn't find anything.
Maple -- specifically "rock hard maple" or "sugar maple" -- is the "gold standard" because it has good crush resistance across the grain, and because it's tough -- you can hit it harder than other woods and it won't shatter. I haven't seen this said, but it also seems to have pretty good resistance to splitting.
Here's a handbook that lists all the pertinent numbers for maple and other common woods:
http://www.conradfp.com/pdf/ch4-Mechanical-Properties-of-Wood.pdf.
If I wanted to seriously use some wood other than maple, I'd make up a 1/2" x 3/8" by 4" stick of the stuff, and grab a scrap piece of motor mount the same size. Then I'd do the following to each piece:
- Try to indent it on the side grain with my fingernail or a plain old nail -- this should be a good gauge of the crush resistance
- Put it in a good-quality, well-supported vise, and whack it with a hammer (do not do this with a cheapo vise). If you don't trust your vise, put it on a concrete floor, supported at each end by nuts (as in "nuts & bolts", not walnuts), and whack the middle with a hammer.
- Drill a hole through it crossways to clear a 4-40 bolt, put on a bolt & nut, and tighten the bejezus out of the thing. Look at the amount of indentation
If after all that it seems as strong as maple, then build a plane and try it out. If you want it crash tested, lend it to a beginner!
Topic: Motor mount wood (Read 1655 times)