[ Richard Schneider wrote in 000111 MMDigest: ]

> I question the wisdom of "mixing" woods like this for construction,
> especially where glue joints are concerned.  The reason I'm concerned
> has to do with the fact that there are different expansion/contraction
> coefficients at work in the different species of wood involved. Conse-
> quently, with the changes of season, the pipes can, quite literally,
> "tear themselves apart" by the war waged between the different woods!

As far as I can remember, I saw (large) pipes with oak fronts and pine
sides and backs at Jaeger & Brommer in Waldkirch (but if this is incor-
rect, blame me, not Jaeger & Brommer!).

> The same thing can be true with the mouth area.  If you don't build the
> "block" with the grain running the same direction as the bodies of the
> pipes (in other words: vertical!), the cross-graining will cause the
> pipe to self-destruct with the changes in season.

This is certainly true, not only with organ pipes but with all sort
of woodworking.

Harald M. Mueller
Grafing, Germany