1. Home
  2. Woodturning Crafts
  3. what to do with a cut down tree?

what to do with a cut down tree?

My friends had some tree work done and have a few large pieces of wood that they saved aside for me (I JUST took up turning).

I'm not even sure what kind of wood it is, but practicing on even not-so-great wood for free will be a great help for me to practice.

The pieces are limbs and trunk pieces, anywhere from 6" to nearly 2' across, and anywhere from 1' to 4' long

I have some green wood sealer, which I know I need to do to prevent checking. Here are mu questions:

- Do I need to remove the pith and split the pieces before coating and storing them off? If I do (or do not) is there a change in the amount of time the logs can sit without checking / cracking / (other bad thing)-ing? I'd rather get the wood and deal with cutting it up once I have enough skill to WANT to cut them up and make something. (haven't done any green wood turning yet)

- I plan to pile the (logs / split logs, depending on the answer to question 1) in my garage. I live in Houston, TX, so it's pretty hot and VERY humid for the summer. Will they be okay in there, or is it better to have them outside for some reason?

Any other good tips / references / links? I've read a lot about how to split the logs, but I can't see to tell if I have to right now, or only before I actually use them. (I also saw some examples of NON-split logs being used (it was pine) for turnings where the center pith area produced a bullseye on the side of the completed bowl... that's sort of what prompted me to ask what I needed / should / could do with the wood.

Thanks!

-- Todd

Reply to
Todd Clare
Loading thread data ...
2005 06:15 pm:

For starters, head on over to Bill Grumbine's place for a couple tips ... he's a man outstanding in his field.

formatting link
you'll get more useable wood if you cut the pieces now, roughturn them (leave wall thickness about 10% of the overall diameter) and thenfollow any of several excellent drying procedures. I have had good successwith microwaving and using LDD. I have had mixed (at best) success boiling.There are still others that other turners have had success with. Oh ... and, welcome to the craft.

;-)

Bill

Reply to
Bill C.

Todd You might like to give my site a glance. It has some of the info that you are looking for.

Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

I have done the following with moderate success.

Place the wood on the ground and using my chainsaw with a ripping blade I slice a piece off each side. Imagine can with 2 parallel flat sides perpendicular to the flat top and bottom of the can. Starting from one of the sides I then cut off slabs of desired thickness. When I get to the middle/pith, I make a cut that encompasses all of the pith. I continue cutting off slabs until finished. I take thepiece that has the pith to my bansaw and cut off the two pieces on either side. These pieces I have successfully used to make handles for a garden shears. I take the slabs and use some old paint on the ends. I know there are much better products available but lacking funds and having a supply of old paint is a trade off. The wood is then stacked and stickered under my deck until needed.

Thanks,

-Kevin

Reply to
Kevin

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.