Turning Chestnut Oak

I don't know specifically about chestnut oak, as I have never turned it. I have noticed however, while turning other oaks that the sapwood tends to check much more than the heartwood. Since you have a large tree, you may want to remove the sapwood.

Mike

I don't know specifically about chestnut oak, as I have never turned it. I have noticed however, while turning other oaks that the sapwood tends to check much more than the heartwood. Since you have a large tree, you may want to remove the sapwood.

Mike

I turn oak all the time. Mostly red oak but I like to turn white oak when I can get it. Oak does tend to split if it is not handled with "kid gloves."

Once you have the tree down keep it in the longest logs possible until you are ready to process it. Keep it out of the direct sunlight if possible. Keep the ends covered if possible with woodchips or something to keep the ends from checking as they start to dry.

When you start to cut the logs up into "bite sized" lengths get the center/pith out ASAP and then seal the ends with Anchorseal or something to slow the drying down. This will buy you some time while you are deciding what to do next.

If you are turning bowls then rough turn them sooner than later. Then seal them again with either more Anchorseal or paper bags or wood chips. Anything to slow the drying process down will help keep cracking to a minimum.

Even at that some pieces may crack but the rest will make good turnings.

Ted J thelatentlog.com

Agree mostly with Ted here, but like to add that it is important to start out with a blank that has no splits or checks in it already, not easily seen, but taking a very thin slice off the end of the blank and then carefully bending that, it will show if any splits are present, the other thing that is important IMO, is to start and finish the project in one go, don't let it sit without covering it, even while just going for a coffee, drink, supper, etc., turning it in cooler weather also helps to prevent the start of checks/splits. I have good luck with drying in a brown paper bags (craft paper) and I'm not saying I never had one split, but yes very few, I keep that bag at a cool draft-free spot, and check it a few times the first week or two, might have to wipe off some mold if the weather is humid, but that is what works for me.

All I can say is try.

I found this on my Wood Explorer software - highly suggested for forest scroungers :-)

Turning

• Very good

• Easy to turn

Mixed results - but the ** is the majority.

Mart> I have a very large old chestnut oak tree that is very close to being

Thanks for the help. Doesn't look real good for turning for the all the work that would be required. I'll look into the wood explorer.