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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: rockkiller on May 24, 2014, 10:58:00 AM

Title: when to cut?
Post by: rockkiller on May 24, 2014, 10:58:00 AM
I have a jumper tree that my wife wants down and was wondering if theres a certain time of the year I should drop it?
     Also I would like to use it for lams for glass bows.Besides sealing the ends,should I leave the bark on or remove it?   :confused:  

Thanks for any help
Al
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: fujimo on May 24, 2014, 01:53:00 PM
a jumper tree-....as apposed to a sitter tree?   :D  
cutting in the winter will see less moisture in the wood, cutting in the spring will allow easy bark release.
if you are gonna use for lams, seal ends well. cut into boards, and sticker it in a shaded area protected from the wind- when it reaches ambient moisture content- then bring it inside and dry it further to the mc that you want.if the top boards want to twist- you can put some heavy boards or weight on top of the stickered pile to prevent that.
its also very easy to build a "kiln"
with builders plastic, a quick 2" x2" frame and a small dehumidifier.
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: rockkiller on May 24, 2014, 02:41:00 PM
I hate auto correct     :rolleyes:  
   So cut to boards while still green and not let dry as a log?

Thanks again
Al
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: wood carver 2 on May 24, 2014, 03:28:00 PM
It's ok to cut into boards green. Just cut a little thicker than your final size to allow for shrinkage.
Dave.
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: KenH on May 24, 2014, 04:06:00 PM
Better to cut into (thicker) boards while green.  I disagree with sealing the ends.  If you do, it just permits changes later, when you unseal them.  Better to "let it all out" right from the start" IMHO.
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: fujimo on May 24, 2014, 04:50:00 PM
it will take a lot longer to dry as a log, decide how you want to bust up the log, if you want flat sawn or 1/4 sawn boards- but if you cut them thick enough, say if you want lams for glass bows- and you cut them say a little over 2" thick- then you can get flat sawn lams the one way- and 1/4 sawn on the other axis- and rift sawn anywhere in between!
it will dry quicker in a kiln type environment, but seasoning only comes with time- both may be dry- but the seasoned woods internal resins will have solidified- creating a stronger board!

but you can kiln dry- and the ones you dont use right away will also season with time- kinda best of both worlds.

sometimes with kiln drying if it is done too quick- it can damage the cell structure of the wood- and some woods will case harden if dried with too much heat and speed- spruce is a bad one for that!

there are recipes/formulas for each specie of wood.
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: rockkiller on May 25, 2014, 12:01:00 AM
I'm in no hurry,so I'll let air dry.It will be next winter before I try to grind ,for the first time any lams and probably the next winter before I would use this wood.
  Thanks everybody for all the help ,but stay tuned in ,cause I will for sure have more dumb questions on the future  :smileystooges:  
 
Al
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: KenH on May 25, 2014, 05:06:00 PM
Rockkiller -- there are no dumb questions.  Just ones we haven't answered for you yet...
Title: Re: when to cut?
Post by: rockkiller on May 25, 2014, 05:55:00 PM
WELL THEN.......you guys better get on the stick  :biglaugh:
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