Hi,
What’s the best method to dry wood? I managed to salvage 2 large 6′ pieces of birch yesterday. (my aunt was getting rid of a few trees in her backgarden) Actually she was going to burn the birch for firewood….. Thank god I got there in time.
How long does it usually take to dry wood before you can actually turn it into boards? I guess I have to cut it up into pieces first using a chain saw. Can this wood be stacked outside to dry? And should I seal the ends with anything to prevent cracking, checks ect?
Wanda
Replies
Seal the ends immediately and cut as soon as possible, the wood will only degrade and be harder to cut if it dries out in the log.
A chain saw with a conventional chain and no guide system isn't practical for cutting a log into boards. Unless the wood is exceptional, and the logs are fairly large in diameter, the project will make little financial sense, but it doesn't have to be practical perhaps.
The rule of thumb, but it is very conservative, is that a rough sawn board needs to dry for a year for each inch of thickness.
Old trees from backyards are notorious for containing steel hardware from clothesline hooks, fencing, birdhouses etc. that can ruin saw blades.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
Hi John WW,
Sorry for the confusion. I was going to cut the 6' high birch "trunk" (not sure about the circumference) into boards after cutting to length using the chain saw. Then I was planning on letting it dry before using the band saw to cut the "junks" into boards of varying thickness. Might even turn some of that wood into a salad bowl.
What perservative do you use to seal the ends? The tree was just cut down the other day. Doesn't seem to have any checking or splits yet...
Wanda
Wanda, to get something on the ends quickly, buy a box of canning wax, melt in a a double-boiler, and paint it on using a cheap brush.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Wanda,
The log should be cut into boards, or at least halved or quartered lengthwise using your band saw, asap since drying a full log always creates stresses that will damage the wood. Being you will be cutting green wood, you will need a blade made especially for the job, an ordinary blade will be useless. The best source for the blades will be Suffolk Machinery, call them rather than trying to negotiate their web site. You could also halve or quarter the log with wedges and a maul rather than wrestling the whole log onto the saw.
You don't need a "preservative" for the ends, they just need to be sealed to prevent moisture loss. Forest Girl's recommendation, to use melted wax, will certainly work, but just painting the log ends with latex paint, two coats if possible, will also serve and is much simpler. Try to get the ends sealed today if possible. It may not be obvious, but the log is losing moisture rapidly, by the time you see checks forming, even small ones, much of the inner wood will be damaged for furniture making.
John W.
Hi,
Thanks for the helpful tips. I'll be sure to coat the ends asap. Not sure I have any parafin wax but I do have some primer kicking about.
Is it easier to turn bowls using "green wood"?
So much to learn with regards to drying and milling lumber.
Wanda
Turning Green wood over dried wood is like night and day. You can take at least 50% more off at a pass. With really fresh stock you can actually get "spit" at. A good tip for bowls is to turn the outside and then work the center out paying attention to keeping the wall thicknesses even all the way to the bottom. Don't just hollow out an inch or so then proceed another inch or so. Go full depth. When I get a bowl to shape I let it "Spin dry" for half an hour, lightly sand. Very rarely does one crack on me and Yes they will go a little Egg shape. You can finish with prefered finish in a few days to a week, depends on the wood used. But thats the fun of it. People ask, "How did you turn an oval bowl ?"Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Turning green wood is a blast, there are over 1400 rough bowls in various stages of dryness in the loft of my shop. When a good log comes my way I can not resist roughing bowls from it , current inventory: cherry, birch, hard and soft maple, sycamore, box elder, ash, mulberry, walnut, pear, and my very favorite, apple.
<!----><!----> <!---->
Bowls rough turned to about 1 ½” thickness and coated with a little cheap past wax will dry with little checking in about 4 to 6 months. You can not “dry” a log, they are processed green and the lumber, (or bowls), is then dried.
While were talking free wood...
I've cut up a few bowl blanks out of peoples trees, mainly birch. Although it's a little bit of a pain, and for sure it is not very economic, I really like the idea of 'recycling' this urban wood. My city has been going through a huge infrastructure expansion over the last few years and I've seen a few treed areas cut down. Anyway... a little off topic.
I've recently been given the opportunity to get some wood from an old 'crab' apple tree. The tree is still standing, and full of apples. Anybody ever use this type of wood? I hear that it's hard and moves like crazy. Any truth?
Can it be turn into bowl blanks? I've been think that this time rather than turning it all into bowls, that maybe I'll cut some of the thicker portions into planks. Air dry them and try to use them for some small projects. Any comments?
Anyway, just looking for some opinions.
Buster
Mmmmmmmmmmmm Pickled crab apples.....
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Really pickled crab apples? Are you serious. The firend have one in their front yard as well... I wonder...
They are to die for. I'll see if I can get you a recipe.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
I'd be intersted in that, sounds like it would go well with prosciutto and some grappa out on the deck....
I was lucky enough to bump int a tree triming crew butchering a fine Box Elder, I managed to talk them out of some cut-offs. Brought them home and put 2 coats of latex primer on the butt ends. They sat for 3-4 weeks with no checks before they became bowls . Greenwood turning is a Hoot.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled