Sycamore box

[newt]

About 18 months ago I cut down some sycamore and left them to spalt. The first pic shows me generating two flats so I can cut into boards on the band saw.

The second shows cutting boards on the bandsaw, taking it really steady, boards about 25mm * 140mm.

The next pic shows the boards in stick, I left them like this for 2 months and monitored the moister content.

And here is the end result.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Hey, Pete, that looks really nice 8) Are they the pieces of wood you showed me last time I saw you?

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[newt]

Yes paul, I don't know why but there is something quite satisfying to make something from wood in your own garden. I still have some logs laying in the garden just to see how far the spalting does go before it becomes un-usable. I have just cut some more boards for the next project.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I don't know why but there is something quite satisfying to make something from wood in your own garden.

I think you're right. I have a walnut tree that has died and must come down - I might see whether I can use some of it :-k

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[newt]

Well worth a go paul

 

[Chris Knight]

Pete,
That's a lovely looking little box and as you say, no doubt very satisfying to have used your own wood for it.

 

[newt]

Thanks Chris

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Thats a lovely little box. I really like the idea of using different wood between the body and lid. I like the colour as well, what are you going to finish it with? =D>

 

[Waka]

Pete

Very nice indeed. I do hope thats not the standard we have to aspire to for Secret santa? :wink:

 

[OPJ]

Very nice, Pete. Looks like there may've been plenty of left over sycamore though - is another box on the way??? :wink:

 

[newt]

Finish is 3 coats of danish and then a rub down with 800 W&D followed by Liberon wax.

 

[motownmartin]

Very nice Pete, do you know if if other woods spalt like Beech and Sycamore, i'm asking because I have recently cut down an Apple tree.

 

[Mr Ed]

Excellent Pete.

I've never tried spalting my own, but it appears to have worked really well for you.

Nice simple design for the box which makes the grain the main feature rather than any joinery acrobatics. Nice work, take the rest of the day off!

Cheers, Ed.

 

[newt]

Thanks Ed, Martin not sure what species of wood take to spalting but I am sure someone will come along who knows the score.

 

[llangatwgnedd]

Hi Newt,
When you said that you "left them to spalt". what did you actually do?

Cheers SDP..

 

[joiner_sim]

Great to see the project from tree trunk to finished box. Oh and by the way the box looks great too! :lol:

 

[newt]

SDP, once I had cut the trunk into sensible lengths I laid them on the ground under some branches so there was no direct sunlight. During the period on the ground of some 18 months various fungus attacks the wood, this is a natural process and I belive is part of the decay process. Every 3 months I checked to see how the fungus spores were doing, they ranged from small orange spots to black powder. I cut some samples to look inside the wood and I judged that at about 18 months the spalting was just right. I assume that the progress of the spalting is a function of the local conditions, it could take longer or a shorter time. As soon as the wood is brought inside and the moisture content drops below I think its 20% the spalting or the fugus growth stops. However if you leave it to long the wood becomes soft and un-usable. I have some samples that I am using to establish when the fugus attack has gone to far. So it is a natural process that requires damp conditions.

 

[shim20]

very nice

 

[TrimTheKing]

Hi Pete

That is an absolutely lovely looking box, can I trouble you for a few more pics of all the way round it??? :lol:

FYI, there was a piece in one of the magazines sometime in the last few months about home to do home spalting, if anyone is interested I will see if I can find it and scan it in.

Cheers

Mark

 

[newt]

Mark, best I can do with the current light, have shown inside of box and 50p for scale.