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Supplies for Tree-Ring Research

Please support the Ultimate Tree-Ring Web Pages! Many people think that the tree-ring web pages are maintained and supported using information technology, personnel, and generous funds provided by my university. Not at all. I do ALL the web page information searching, coding, updating, and designing at HOME, on my own personal computer, in my free time. I pay for the software (FrontPage) and upgrades, the computer (Sony laptop) and needed peripheral accessories (HP printer, scanner, copier, paper, cartridges, etc.), the Internet access (high-speed internet), overhead (electricity, gas), even the extra server space needed for the many files. I also have freely given hundreds and hundreds of hours of my own personal time. It's time for me to at least get a little back.

Here, you'll find supplies that are needed in every well-stocked wood shop to conduct tree-ring research ! Your purchase of supplies through the Amazon.com web site will provide a small royalty that will help ensure I can keep these web pages updated and maintained for years to come. Clicking on a link below will simply take you to the Amazon.com web site where you can read more about the product and then decide whether or not to purchase it. These items should be available -- if a price is listed in the frame box, then it's available -- but I'll check from time to time to make sure these are still for sale, either new or used. If you know of a particular item available through Amazon.com that you think should be listed here, please let me know.

Thank YOU for your support! -- Henri

Belt Sanders
 Belt Cleaners
 Sanding Belts
 Fine-Grade Sandpaper
 Heavy Duty Drills
 Hand Planers
 Gun Cleaning Kits
 Stretch Wrap
 Shop Supplies (steel wool, map tubes, safety glasses, ear protectors, dust masks)

BELT SANDERS

I consider these two belt sanders to be the workhorses in my wood shop. The 4" X 24" sanding surface makes for rapid sanding of even the largest cross sections. We have two of these Makita sanders in our wood shop. An auto-tracking belt system tracks the belt without adjustment! No more guesswork and no more frayed belts! Features quick release belt change. Note the flat top with the side-eject dust-bag, which helps when you wish to turn the sander upside down in order to sand cores! I promise -- these will be the best belt sanders you've ever bought for your tree-ring research!

If you only work with increment cores, you may fine the 4" X 24" sanders too much and too bulky. In this case, you may wish to invest in these 3" X 21" Makita belt sanders instead. The sanding surface still has plenty of area to rapidly process all your mounted cores. Smaller belt sanders (for example, 18" in belt length) are also available from Amazon.com. Just enter "sanding belts" in the search text box on the Amazon site.

BELT CLEANERS

These belt cleaners are a must for every wood shop that works with tree-ring specimens. You do not have to throw away your belts once they become gummed up with resin! Instead, you press these belt cleaners against the rotating surface of the belt and the heat from the friction will bond the gummed material on the belt with the rubber from the belt cleaner and instantly remove it. Be careful, though. Wear eye protection and a protective face mask because the hot rubber that comes off the belt as it is being cleaned can cause injury! Note: the 2" sticks (right) are ideal for people with larger hands. Smaller sticks 1.5" in width (left) and smaller that accommodate smaller hands are also available from Amazon.com. Just type in "sanding belt cleaners" in the search text box on the Amazon site. One belt lasts a long time!

SANDING BELTS
Note: sanding belts are usually only available in retail outlets up to size 220 grit.
Finer grits, such as 320 and 400 grit sanding belts, usually have to be specially ordered by hardware stores.

40 Grit
60 Grit
80 Grit
100 Grit

120 Grit
150 Grit
180 Grit
220 Grit

FINE-GRADE SANDPAPER
These are used to put a final polish on your wood, critical for diffuse-porous wood species,
such as Populus, Acer, and Fraxinus

400 grit
600 grit
800 grit
1200 grit

HEAVY-DUTY DRILLS
To drive your archaeological drill bits, you'll need a heavy-duty reversible 1/2" drill, either electric or cordless. I have all three models shown below in my laboratory and swear by them.

HAND PLANERS
These put a nice flat surface on larger cross sections that are too large to be cut flat in a bandsaw.

GUN CLEANING KITS
These are used to clean your increment borers, either in the field or back in the laboratory.
Those designed for a 22 rifle work best.

STRETCH WRAP
Use this stretch wrap to wrap cross sections in the field to prevent them from breaking
and to keep multiple pieces together from the same tree!

SHOP SUPPLIES

Use ultra-fine grade (0000) steel wool to burnish off resin on cores and cross sections that might be masking the ring boundaries. This works very well! One pad lasts a very long time, as well.
Map tubes can be used in the field to carry the paper or plastic straws that contain your valuable increment cores, and offer excellent protection from rain and for safe transport back to the laboratory!		       

You must protect your eyes in the wood shop from wood chips and hot rubber from the sanding belts. I've seen serious eye injuries in years as a tree-ring scientist.
      
In the shop, you simply must wear a dust mask to prevent particulates from entering your lungs. If you do not, you run the risk of eventually getting major health issues.		       
Don't forget! While sanding or operating equipment in the wood shop, or when operating a chainsaw, you simply must protect your hearing! You should invest in a few of these for your field crew as well.