Advice for a newbie!!

[learning2turn]

Hey everyone!

Just looking for a bit of advice really. Pretty new to turning but finding it's a great stress reliever from working in London! lol

I have just aquired some logs today and were wondering how each of you would go about preparing them and storing them.

Working from left to right :

The first two are seasoned, they've been air drying for 1.5 years - measure 36 inches x 7inches

The third log is 23 inches by 7 but is green.

The forth log is 12 inches long x 14 inches diameter green again

Finally the fifth log is 14 inches long by 12 inches diameter again green.

So basically what would everyone here do with these logs?!

Looking forward to your suggestions as it's nice to have a UK perspective, makes a change from all the american forums out there!

Dan.

 

[DaveL]

Hi Dan,

Welcome to the forum.

Your picture has been caught by our spam trap. this will stop once you have a few more posts to your name, here it is:-

 

[learning2turn]

Thanks mate!

 

[PowerTool]

Hello and welcome to the forum

First two I would leave,if they have been like that for 1.5 years.
Third one (cherry?) I would cut in half and seal the ends.
Last two I would cut/split through the pith and seal the ends.
Then leave somewhere nice to dry for a year or two :wink:

For sealing the ends,I normally use this,but can also use pva glue,old gloss paint,wax etc.
P.S. - spam trap wears off after 3 posts..

Andrew

 

[learning2turn]

Excellent, just the sort of advice I was looking for! I'll get cracking on that tomorrow then!

When I come to make something out of the third log when it's ready would I treat it in the same manner as the bigger ones - split it through the pith to make two small bowl blanks? Basically what I'm asking is does the pith always have to be removed when turning?

Thanks again!

Dan

 

[CHJ]

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum.

In most cases the pith area of the log needs removal as this is where the majority of the splitting whilst drying will occur.

If you intend to keep the wood as long as possible to dry out then in future make sure it is split down the middle as advised and keep in lengths a multiple of the diameter plus about a third to accommodate any end splitting.

The most important thing is to seal the ends as soon as possible after cutting.

If you want to turn them green then rough turn and dry in that state, remounting them on the lathe and finishing after they have dried out.

See This Example on how to proceed You do not need to save the centres of course.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Dan and welcome
All that's been said really.
Will look foreward to seeing the finished results.

 

[Jonzjob]

Something very strange has happened here?

 

[CHJ]

Something very strange has happened here?

It would help if you told us what has happened,

Did you try to post a picture or web link?

If so you might just be seeing the Spam trap messages that report a new poster.
They will leave you alone after a few posts, just leave them alone in the post and someone will be along to sort them for you.

 

[Jonzjob]

Sorry CHJ, I had tried to post a phpto as you guessed, but it didn't work. Also I had regestered for this forum a year ago and lost the info when I changed my laptop and had forgot all about it. When I tried to regester, again, my user name and password were already there. A VERY seniot moment. Sorry for the confusion!!

I started by asking about the possibility of drying small blanks in a microwave oven. It was something I heard about ages ago and I wondered if I was having my leg pulled?

The photo I tried to post was via photobucket, but it seems you have a different method on this forum. Is it better if I ask on a more appropiate forum or is it OK here??? I don't want to start off hijacking someone elses thread!!

 

[CHJ]

Microwave drying is very viable for some projects.

Try searching the forum for references such as this.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... f58d16a274

 

[Jonzjob]

Very interesting. I will try it when 'she who must be obeyed' isn't looking perhapse???

Thank you!

 

[Smudger]

Hullo Mr Zjob - nice to see you!
And welcome, Dan, as well.

 

[CHJ]

.......
The photo I tried to post was via photobucket, but it seems you have a different method on this forum. Is it better if I ask on a more appropiate forum or is it OK here??? I don't want to start off hijacking someone elses thread!!

A shout in the general section should ensure someone who uses Photobucket points you to an explanation thread although Paul.J may be back here to explain.

you need a link something along the lines of:

[img]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/waka1948/IMGP2105.jpg[/img]

 

[Jonzjob]

Why thank you Mr Smith. And thank you for the re-introduction to this forum!!

This was the line of code I got when I tried to post a photo before CHJ

The only difference I can see is that your line has 'img' and mine 'IMG'?
Oh how I hate PCs. See ****, some things don't change!

Edit:- And just to prove it the photo has apeared this time. Must be that 'spam' thing? The bowl is elm and the goblets are ash. They were a wedding pressent for my son a month ago. Complete with a 2,500 mile drive to deliver them and attend the wedding!!

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Jonzjob and welcome
CHJ wrote
A shout in the general section should ensure someone who uses Photobucket points you to an explanation thread although Paul.J may be back here to explain.
This was originally put on by TEP,but i thought i'd keep it for future ref.

I will now try and explain how i do it with the thumnails.
When you have logged into PB,click on BROWSE This will let you look at the piccys you want in your folder.Click on the piccy than press OPEN When you have selected the piccys you want click on the UPLOADtag.This will bring your piccys to your PB folder.
When the piccy is their,there is a small square box below your piccy,click in this box putting a tick in it.
Then scroll to the bottom of the page where you will see some other boxes,click on the last box saying GENERATE HTML AND IMG CODE.
On the next page click on the third box down.This will copy your piccy.
Now go back to the forum page and just right click and paste,this will put the url in the box.Click on PREVIEW under the box to see if your piccy is their.If it is great.
When you upload more than one piccy you will have to seperate them at the end of each url.
HTH.

Nice bowl and goblets by the way

 

[learning2turn]

Hey,

Just posting to say thanks for the advice and the welcome!

I've cut the logs today and stacked them up behind the shed raised off the ground so they can stay there for a while now until they have dried.

Out of interest how much do people pay for logs if anything and what are good sources. I've got in touch with a local Tree Surgeon and he said he'll start putting some to one side for me. Just a bit unsure of what their value is? Another question, what do you look for in a log to try and spot a good or bad one or is it just luck of the draw?

Sorry for all the questions but once I start typing they just keep coming to me! lol

Dan.

 

[Jonzjob]

One of my favorite looking places for some really nice wood is my log pile, oh my neighbours as well. I have come up with some really good spalted beech and a few nice bits of elm too.

The one thing to remember if you are turning spalted wood is that you MUST wear a gd dust mask. The fungal dust can be very bad for your health if you breath it, but don't let that put you off because a good mask will make it safe to use. It is always a lovely surprise to see what you have when you stop the lathe. The shape is obvious, but the markings are spectacular!

This piece came off my ex-neighbours wood pile in the U.K.

Another is to see if you can let your neighbours know what you do and they may well donate as well. If mine do that then I always make sure that they get a piece back, in a new form, and I ask them if they realised what I had found in their 'bit of wood'? Some wonderful surprises are to be had..

 

[CHJ]

......., what do you look for in a log to try and spot a good or bad one or is it just luck of the draw?
...Dan.

The real anticipation comes when you get a log that has some distinct colour staining from fungal attack or whatever, I find that Beech and Ash, especially if the trees have been growing in less than ideal conditions can yield some good samples. But most wood is worth the effort to salvage.

Look out for Laburnum, Yew, Sumac, any of the fruit woods, Sycamore is good to turn but needs drying rapidly if you wish to avoid dark staining that can be unattractive. Chestnut, both Sweet and Horse although totally different in character are good for their own reasons.

Woods that show signs of rot or previous damage Like Thisare always worth investigating, as are any logs incorporating branch crotches because of the grain patterns.

I am fortunate and rarely have to purchase green wood now but have regularly filled the boot of my car for £10-15 in the past from tree surgeons or arboretum grave yards.