pic: Team 973 Upper Frame

[dtengineering]

Aniline dye... then lacquer, makes it look REALLY good. If you can CNC a hole ten thou under (in diameter) and press a bearing into that stuff... well, we haven't had one come out yet.

Jason

(okay... we did GET one to come out by pounding on it with a hammer from the back side....)

Edit... I meant to add that for a solid material (as opposed to hollow tubes, or foam cored composites) wood has one of the highest stiffness to weight ratios of ANY material, including carbon fibre. In architectural applications large wooden beams are actually more fire resistant than steel. (The outside chars forming an insulating layer, but the inside maintains strength, while steel transmits heat throughout and goes soft.)