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

Todd Clare wrote in message
. net on Friday 29 April
2005 06:15 pm:

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


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

http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/

Basically, you'll get more useable wood if you cut the pieces now, rough
turn them (leave wall thickness about 10% of the overall diameter) and then
follow any of several excellent drying procedures. I have had good success
with 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

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

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com

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


"Todd Clare" wrote in message
ink.net...
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