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.

Lastly, some of you may realize you can buy similar supplies from Forestry Suppliers, but I can guarantee these prices below are more competitive for products that are often much better.

LABORATORY SUPPLIES

When you create your tree-ring lab, don't forget all the important little items that are *essential* to processing your cores and wood sections. I've searched for the best prices for items that you will find in any tree-ring lab (for example, Sharpies retail for over $US 1.00 each), so click on any link above to take advantage of these great products.

BELT SANDERS AND BELT CLEANERS

I consider the belt sander on the left to be the workhorse 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. If you only work with increment cores, you may find 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. I promise -- these will be the best belt sanders you've ever bought for your tree-ring research! Finally, 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.

SANDING BELTS AND FINE-GRADE SANDPAPER

40 Grit 60 Grit 80 Grit 100 Grit 120 Grit 150 Grit

180 Grit 220 Grit 400 grit 600 grit 800 grit 1200 grit

Note: sanding belts are usually only available in retail outlets up to size 220 grit. Finer grits, such as 320 and 400 grit 4" x 24" sanding belts, usually have to be special-ordered by hardware stores. Fine-grade sandpaper is used to put a final polish on your wood, critical for diffuse-porous wood species, such as Populus, Acer, and Fraxinus

HEAVY-DUTY DRILLS AND ELECTRIC PLANERS

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 above (left) in my laboratory and swear by them. Hint: order an extra battery pack for the cordless drill, and you can drill all day on one charge in remote areas. Electric planers put a nice flat surface on larger cross sections that are too large to be cut flat in a bandsaw.

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! Lastly, 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 (for the field, we prefer the folding model above).

FIELD SUPPLIES

Gotta have flagging for your field work, to mark trees to core later, to set out plots for assessing stand history, to re-locate ideal trees to core on a future field trip, etc. These are competitive prices when compared to Forestry Suppliers!

Gotta have WD-40 lubricant, in your shop and in the field! Use the small 2 ounce cans to pack in your field pack to lubricate your increment borers inside and out. Use the larger cans in the field to keep your chain and chain saw clean. Larger sizes can be used in your wood shop to keep all your equipment running smoothly, including your band saw and chain saws

CHAIN SAW SAFETY SUPPLIES

Yep, you'll need these items! For example, gel knee pads are the best, when kneeling to core trees or when using a chain saw. You'll need ear protection for those who accompany you when collecting cross sections for tree-ring dating. I even wear safety glasses inside my helmet to protect my contact lenses. These 2-way radios shown above not only work up to 26 miles, but they also get NOAA weather alerts! And a good first aid kit should be carried by a team member every time you use a chain saw.