Walnut Tree -Felled, is the branch wood good for turners?

[Chems]

After a post a while back about a Walnut tree that had fallen its been cut up today.

There is a sizeable main trunk approx 9 feet long that ends in a crotch so probably some good wood in there. There is another smaller large bit about 5 feet. Both of these I'd like to get sawn up and dry for a year and make something small.

My two questions are this, does the stuff look good and usable in general. And does anyone think that the turners might be interested in all the other limbs?


The top of the main trunk ending in the crotch:

The bottom of the main trunk. About 18 inches wide all the way along.

The other good sized bit I'd like to have planked.

Then these are all the bits I thought might be good for tuners? They are pretty long but no wider than 8-9 inches max.

 

[Harbo]

PaulM & Paul Chapman chopped up a Walnut a while back - I'm sure they will be along with some advice?

Rod

 

[matthewwh]

I would think so, maybe worth reposting this in the turning section if you've not already done so.

If you do end up burning any it produces the most wonderful perfume, one log on the fire and you can smell it from the other end of the street - perfect for Christmas.

 

[Paul Chapman]

PaulM & Paul Chapman chopped up a Walnut a while back - I'm sure they will be along with some advice?

It all depends what you find when you start cutting up the pieces. Sometimes the amount of heartwood can be disappointing. PaulM made some very nice bowls from the one we cut up - perhaps he can post some pictures. Here's one I made (my first go at bowl turning)

We managed to cut some of it into planks but I've not done anything with that yet. Still trying to decide what I might be able to do with these pieces

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Chems]

Yes its hard to tell looking at it what might come out of it, did yours look similar just after it was chainsawed?

 

[Paul Chapman]

Yes its hard to tell looking at it what might come out of it, did yours look similar just after it was chainsawed?

Here are a few snaps

Hope this helps.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[paulm]

Who's that dodgy looking character with the dungarees Paul ? :lol:

Doesn't look like there is a lot of dark heartwood present in any of the pieces, but difficult to tell for sure from some of the pics. The base of the trunk looks like it may have some nice figuring nonetheless, but again not too clear.

The branch wood would be fine for turners, not spectacular or highly prized due to limited heartwood, the sap wood being pretty bland usually, the crotch pieces can yield some nicely figured timber if cut correctly, but all usable timber all the same so what's not to like

Cheers, Paul

 

[Neil Farrer]

Taking a trip onto the other side of the forum as a turner and one that specialises in small stuff. If there's any you can't use I'd love to help you out with a bit of site clearance!!!

Regards

Neil Farrer

 

[DrPhill]

We managed to cut some of it into planks but I've not done anything with that yet. Still trying to decide what I might be able to do with these pieces

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Wow, that is beautiful stuff. If the planks had been a little thicker I would have removed most (not all) of the sap wood to make a pair of (multi) candle-sticks in roughly the shape of the heartwood. I would have finished the surface as smooth as I could to show off that wonderful grain pattern. You lucky ^H^H^H person.

Have fun.

 

[Tony Spear]

We managed to cut some of it into planks but I've not done anything with that yet. Still trying to decide what I might be able to do with these pieces

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Wow, that is beautiful stuff. If the planks had been a little thicker I would have removed most (not all) of the sap wood to make a pair of (multi) candle-sticks in roughly the shape of the heartwood. I would have finished the surface as smooth as I could to show off that wonderful grain pattern. You lucky ^H^H^H person.

Have fun.

Looking at that figuring, you can see why it's always been in demand for gun stocks!

 

[marcros]

We managed to cut some of it into planks but I've not done anything with that yet. Still trying to decide what I might be able to do with these pieces


Cheers :wink:

Paul

Wow, that is beautiful stuff. If the planks had been a little thicker I would have removed most (not all) of the sap wood to make a pair of (multi) candle-sticks in roughly the shape of the heartwood. I would have finished the surface as smooth as I could to show off that wonderful grain pattern. You lucky ^H^H^H person.

Have fun.

Looking at that figuring, you can see why it's always been in demand for gun stocks!

Its even ready marked out for you, just cut around the dark part...

 

[marcros]

Chems, did the rootball come up too?

 

[woodbloke]

Looking at that figuring, you can see why it's always been in demand for gun stocks!

I bought some recently and the main board (around 65mm thick, from the centre of the butt) was intended for gun stocks...

...where you can see that they've been chalked out on the board. The vendor relented though and let me have it :mrgreen: :mrgreen: - Rob

 

[Chems]

Macros, having the root take out seprately later this week or next. Is it the best bit?

 

[marcros]

To be honest, I don't know. I get the impression that it is a bit of a lottery, and that figured gun stocks often come from that part, however, you may get something that is nothing special. You have to be a bit careful, from what I have read, about embedded grit and objects within the rootball, and so they recommend pressure washing it before you chainsaw it.

If there did happen to be a bit spare for a gun stock, I would like to restock my air rifle. I would be glad to swap you some beer tokens

 

[wabbitpoo]

Yes it IS of interest to turners, and I live in Nottingham, and I have a van, and a chainsaw.............

 

[Benchwayze]

I would think so, maybe worth reposting this in the turning section if you've not already done so.

If you do end up burning any it produces the most wonderful perfume, one log on the fire and you can smell it from the other end of the street - perfect for Christmas.

Burn walnut?
Oh Matthew! :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[Chems]

Missed a few replies by looking on my phone, paul thanks for that pre-slabbed picture, yours looks to have a larger heart wood to it.

Taking a trip onto the other side of the forum as a turner and one that specialises in small stuff. If there's any you can't use I'd love to help you out with a bit of site clearance!!!

Neil, we'll be looking to sell off any bits that people want, send me a PM with what you'd be after sizes etc that would be useful.

To be honest, I don't know. I get the impression that it is a bit of a lottery, and that figured gun stocks often come from that part, however, you may get something that is nothing special. You have to be a bit careful, from what I have read, about embedded grit and objects within the rootball, and so they recommend pressure washing it before you chainsaw it.

If there did happen to be a bit spare for a gun stock, I would like to restock my air rifle. I would be glad to swap you some beer tokens

I'll keep that in mind, what sort of a size piece do you need for a gun stock?

Yes it IS of interest to turners, and I live in Nottingham, and I have a van, and a chainsaw.............

The tree is in Northampton and its not something I'd be able to put in my car for a trip up the M1! Send me a PM if your interested in picking up any choice pieces.

 

[Benchwayze]

What thickness do you require for your air-rifle stock Marcros?
(I am assuming you can't laminate a rifle-stock.)

 

[marcros]

What thickness do you require for your air-rifle stock Marcros?
(I am assuming you can't laminate a rifle-stock.)

I dont know- i need to put a tape measure across this evening. I would guestimate that it would be in the region of 3" though.

You can laminate them- they do make some from ply, but you cant really laminate from solid- any figuring would make it stand out a mile away.