Follow up

SNIP ......>

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After you do this a few times, you'll find that "the lumber budget" will be unnecessary except when you may want some specific exotic wood for a project. But what can look more exotic than spalted maple??

Of course your budget for chain saw and accessories may grow! (:-)

Ken Moon Webberville, TX

Gotta agree with that. All of it. Grab the HF chain sharpener the next time they drop it to $29. It makes resharpening all those darn chains much easier. Might want to invest in a spare backyard to store the wood in too. And a grill to deal with the stuff you just can't turn or cut off what what you want to turn. You've got a BS, right %-)

Dave in Fairfax

Hi Prometheus

Picture isn't that great, but it looks like nice maple, and a pleasing shape, but I would not wait for the wood to dry, without giving the wood some room to shrink and move or IT WILL SPLIT, drill a LARGE hole in the bottom as far up as you dare, without going through the top, you can later when the wood is dry install a plug. That way you might get away without having the wood look like a nice piece of firewood, and that would be a shame.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Prometheus wrote:

That may be true if turning was my main hobby, but I like making furniture as well, so unless I get myself a sawmill, I'll still be visiting the lumber yard. :)

That is true... I'm already considering a chainsaw to replace the bow saw, in case I find any heavy burls, and I have discovered that I do indeed want a chuck for my midi lathe. That's the way it goes, I guess... so many great tools, so little money!

Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

Yeah, unfortunately photography is a skill I have not been able to learn well.... despite my best efforts. As far as the drying goes, the log was dry as paper when I cut it (extremely light for maple), and it's already been finished with the topcoat. As you might have seen from the picture (or not, it wasn't a great photo) the log is already split from fully drying in the woods. The drying I was referring to was the poly on the surface- I didn't want to leave prints in it or embed bits of sawdust in the partially cured surface buy jumping the gun when sawing off the tenon.

I'll definately keep your advice in mind when I inevitably find a piece of wet wood I want to turn, though!

Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

SNIP..............

============================== If you do get the chain saw you may want to take a look at one of the Alaskan saw mill devices for slabbing lamber from fresh cut or fallen logs. Also Woodcraft at one time carried a saw mill accessory for slabbing work, but I don't know if they still do. If you do a lot of furniture, a sawmill can pay for itself in a short time.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.