Replies

1. 
   SgianDubh | Jun 16, 2002 03:40am | #1

   Yeah Frenchy, you're a complete bampot, but we've known that for years now though, ha, ha.

   Spalted walnut? I can't recall coming across any, but I suppose it could. I just don't know. However, didn't you relate a tale about a pile of timber that got stuck out in massive storm. Was it this pile, and was there any iron in the area? It's crossing my mind that iron, water, and tannin might have reacted together here to give you some staining. Just a thought. Slainte, RJ.

   RJFurniture
1. 
   fdampier | Jun 16, 2002 06:20pm | #5

   Nah Sgian,

     Those where long 20 foot boards/timbers destined to be used on the outside.  This is a couple of 8 foot boards that are due to become flooring.  I found them when I was  runnin' 'em thru the planner.

2. 
   uncommontree | Jun 16, 2002 05:45am | #2

   Hi Frenchy

   I have seen spalted walnut, only small amounts though.Not really enough to do any thing with but it does exist.I am building a hutch that has spalted Hickory raised panel doors,this is really interisting wood.The same person I bought the Hickory from allso sold me about a 100 BF.of spalted Red Oak .I am going to have to sit on this for a while, you know for the  right project to come along.My darling thinks I am off my nut, what  with all these piles earmarked for that one special project......

                         Take care all   Rick   ADESIGNS......

1. 
   fdampier | Jun 16, 2002 06:25pm | #6

   Rick,

      I understand your wifes position, I mean anyone who has more wood then they have use for is really sick... wierd wacko I mean I'd NEVER  do anything like that. 

      (hello my name is Frenchy and it's been three days since I bought wood.....)

1. 
   uncommontree | Jun 16, 2002 10:22pm | #7

   Frenchy

   Two days ago I found about 200 BF of the coolest looking maple not birdseye not curly not Quilted(I WISH) but it has the strangest looking flecks of dark gold in it.I told my supplier to go ahead and put it in the kiln but I did not buy it, does this still count am I still going to get my nublets in the vice or am I off the hook for now,What do you think?...................Rick    ADESIGNS

1. 
   fdampier | Jun 17, 2002 06:30am | #10

   Rick,

    It don't count untill ya gotta store it.  actually it don't count untill

    A.

       She sees the canceled check

   B.

        Ya bring it home.

     I carefully read the rules so you can take this to the bank. 

          Your results may vary, objects in the mirror are closer than they seem, close cover before stricking...............

3. 
   jonsherryl | Jun 16, 2002 07:31am | #3

   Frenchy, the sapwood of walnut is not particularly decay resistant and would spalt as easily as most other woods, such as its less durable cousins the hickories...but then, if you really work at mismanaging how you store your inventory, I suspect you could even get walnut heartwood to eventually spalt...which leads me to wonder why it just happens to be you who's raising this issue?

1. 
   fdampier | Jun 16, 2002 06:15pm | #4

   Hi Jon,

       I had some walnut that sat out in the weather for a couple of years and the white juvenile wood spalted.  I don't have any use for it and there isn't alot of it only a few bd.ft.   But if the spalting could be halted, I might make something out of it. Looks kinda neat.

1. 
   jonsherryl | Jun 17, 2002 03:57am | #8

   Frenchy, you can arrest the spalting process at any time by reducing the wood's moisture content to a level below 20%MC (make it 18%MC to give yourself a safety margin.) At this point the molds that cause spalting can no longer metabolize and go dormant. I believe some of the decay fungi that seriously affect the wood's structural integrity shut down at slightly higher levels...but you certainly should be safe at 18%MC.

1. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 17, 2002 06:26am | #9

   Frenchy, ya just keep rubbin the salt in doncha??

   I'm going off somewhere quiet for a wee cry....................... 

   Wood Hoon

1. 
   fdampier | Jun 17, 2002 06:32am | #11

   OK AJ,

     I don' have a use for it so I'll include it in that care package I'll send you .....  Keep it below 18% moisture though or Jon'll get ya.......

2. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 17, 2002 07:28am | #12

   Heehee, i can hardly wait.

   I could trade you some beeeeautiful Rimu if ya wants. I happen to have tons of it. Ahhh, well, its a scummy job but someone has to save the stuff, might as well be me. <G> 

   Wood Hoon

3. 
   fdampier | Jun 17, 2002 06:30pm | #13

   AJ

        Shipping things seems to be another one of my weaknesses.  I've got a air exchanger that failed back in febuary.  I got the return authrization back in March, I got it boxed in May.  Does that mean I'll get the shipping label on in July and can I look forward to shipping it in September? 

     I'm definately the kinda guy who likes to do things myself.  I think nothing of getting in the truck and driving hundreds of miles to pick up something rather than have it shipped, but evan I will admit it's a long way to New Zealand and maybe UPS or Fed Ex should handle it.

4. 
   PaulParadis | Jun 18, 2002 05:42am | #14

   I'm working with spalted reclaimed elm, I would think any wood can be spalted.   It's just rotting wood that looks nice.

1. 
   fdampier | Jun 18, 2002 07:03am | #15

   ELM!   Aaaaauuuggh!

       Ask anyone how I feel about Elm. Spalted elm, is a normal state, just before powder.     Carefull you don't get any splinters tonight while you sleep, that stuff is evil!

1. 
   uncommontree | Jun 19, 2002 02:19am | #16

   ELM........Aaaaaauuuuuggggh.

   Any one who thinks ELM is pretty is a customer.I made 6" elm crown molding for a job about 300ft. You wanna hear a Bell-Saw scream.

1. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 19, 2002 05:43am | #17

   Frenchy, I would really like to have you come and visit, but 12,000 miles is a fair way and you would need one helluva snorkel on yer buggy. Might be best to let the postie handle it. Maybe you could put yourself in the box too? be cheaper than a plane ticket.

   I need you guys to enlighten me, whats the deal with Elm? How come it's such awful stuff? We dont have it here so its all new to me. 

   Wood Hoon

1. 
   uncommontree | Jun 19, 2002 06:22am | #18

   Well W-H

   Lets start with hard, damn hard then go to stringy next evil temperment followed by smelly,and last but not least and you did not hear it from me #2common is some of the most incredable looking wood when you get finished fighting and cursing it and finially get it oiled or varnished. Stay away from it though its EVIL..........

           Rick             ADESIGNS

2. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 19, 2002 06:27am | #19

   LOL.

   OK, I will avoid the stuff like the plague. I have enough trouble dealing with heart Rimu. Stunningly beautiful, like trying to plane glass, fine red dust that seems to keep coming out of your nose for days, and grain that  swaps direction in less than an inch. But, when its done, oh so good. :) 

   Wood Hoon

3. 
   fdampier | Jun 19, 2002 07:20am | #20

   What he didn't tell you about is the splinters.  You see Elm has the tendancy to splinter..  And for some reason known only to the wood gods cause an immediate festering.

       I've known innocent people who think about elm and wind up the next morning with severe splinter infection.  In really bad cases total removal of the infected area is required, I remember once getting a splinter in my head  that called for total removal.  

    ever since then I've been much shorter....

4. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 19, 2002 08:13am | #21

   HAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAA, so after that you could never get ahead?

   Ever see those palm trees that look like giant pineapples? I trimmed one once. The juvenile leaves are spikes a foot long. Get jabbed with one and not only does it hurt like hell, but the next day the punctured area wont work. Couldnt THAT get interesting.  

   Wood Hoon

5. 
   uncommontree | Jun 27, 2002 05:51am | #24

   Well W-H............

   Its been a while. I've been putting the finish on a spalted hickory hutch,with a little luck it will be installed on Friday with out the glass that's running a wee bit behind.I will post some pics,s as soon as the glass is installed.Hickory is a lot like Elm in some ways,hard, smelly,Crazy grain.But sure is pretty when finished.What is this heart Rimu? do you have any pics of it. Sounds evil but fun.No matter what part of this rock you live on there is always a kind of wood that is challenging,sounds to me like you are talking about a real challenge................Take care Rick

6. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 28, 2002 06:16am | #25

   Hickory, I always wanted to have a play with that stuff. The only Hickory we get here is axe handles. Is it the same as Pecan? or am I getting my wires crossed?

   Rimu is a New Zealnd native. It is a primitive conifer, pretty big tree, heartwood is a red colour and once dry...........HARD. It was used almost exclusively for houses etc for a number of decades. Pine has taken over that now. The logging of Rimu on govt land has been banned. I do however have a heap of recycled stuff at home. heh heh heh.

   I have acouple of pics. It might be easier if i sent them to you via email though. I cant get the hang of this prospero thing at all. 

   Wood Hoon

7. 
   jonsherryl | Jun 19, 2002 08:23pm | #22

   Ajinnz, I suspect the good Lord decided to spare you from elm...being as He'd already stuck you with eucalyptus.

   ...At least I'm sure that's the way Frenchy would see it. 

8. 
   AJinNZ | Jun 21, 2002 04:59am | #23

   recycled ozzie hardwood bridge timbers, now theres a tough hard timber to work with.  Fortunately most of the native stuff here is quite well behaved. For seriously hard though we have Rata, second to lignum on the density scale.  

   Wood Hoon