Sounds like a good size to split up for fiddles... especially if it has fiddleback figure
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Wed Aug 12, 2015 11:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Minimum tree size... |
A friend is culling a walnut tree. The circumference is 40.6", which according to my sketchy maths is a 12.92 diameter, which means max 6.26" panels, which is too small for guitars. Am I wrong? |
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| Author: | Mark Mc [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 1:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Nothing wrong with a 3-piece or 4-piece back for a guitar. Ukelele. Walnut can make good neck blanks, headstock faceplates, bridge blanks. But only if it is good wood, and you have the capacity to re-saw it, the space to store it, and you can wait a few years for it to dry out. |
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| Author: | B. Howard [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 6:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Until you de-bark and account for the pith the best quarter sawn pieces you'll get will be closer to 4" from that tree. |
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| Author: | Tom West [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 7:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Don't be discouraged.........and not take the wood. Walnut super nice wood , you can never have enough. Tom |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 8:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
I have to agree with Howard. Lets round this off to 13 in you will loose about 3 in in the center so your 13 in is divied by 2 6.5 in - 1.5 center is now 5 in loose another 2 in for bark and sap wood you are at maybe 4. As the tree grew it had branches so you may get some head veneer and biniding but nothing that would make guitars but you may find uke stuff. Allow about 1 yr per in to dry out and 20% loss for checking. It takes a big tree to make luthier grade |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 10:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
I figured as much but thought I'd check. Seems more bother than it's worth. Thanks... |
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| Author: | DennisK [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 11:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Sounds like a good size to split up for fiddles... especially if it has fiddleback figure
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| Author: | printer2 [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Keep in mind kiln dried Walnut includes the sap wood, nothing wrong with using it now days with some people liking the look of it. Do a three or four piece back showing off the sap wood. I would not make a career out of using wood from a tree this sized but it might be fun for one or two. (actually doing it myself with some Oak) |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Thu Aug 13, 2015 8:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
I don't have time to muck about, I'm afraid. |
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| Author: | dnf777 [ Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
I bought an 18" Grizzly with resaw fence, etc...aiming to mill my own maple sets from local trees. Lessons quickly learned: 1) you never end up with as much usable wood as you imagined. 2) Milling lumber is a VERY dangerous job and demands the utmost dedication to do well, and safely. 3) Most importantly, there are shops that are expert in resawing fine wood that have special sleds and can make much more efficient use out of a given log than most hobbyists, at a very reasonable fee! Every thing we do, every tool we use has danger potential, and we must be careful all the time. I drew the line however at both resawing lumber and especially initial milling. I just couldn't achieve a personal comfort level with what was required. But that's just me. |
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| Author: | printer2 [ Sat Aug 15, 2015 11:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
meddlingfool wrote: I don't have time to muck about, I'm afraid. Just saw you listed as professional, no, not worth the trouble for someone making a living at it. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Sat Aug 15, 2015 12:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
I feel fine resawing sets from plank form, but not milling up a tree. It would definitely have been contracted out. |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Yes - that's the way to go.... Have it milled into slabs then resaw the slabs at your leisure if they are suitable... The reality is that you aren't going to get 500 sets worth of wood - most of it's not suitable for that sort of use... Too narrow, wrong grain, knots, whatever.... You may get into it and get 0 lumber good enough for sets... There's still whole lot of really good lumber for other uses like furniture... Stuff where funky grain and narrow pieces are useful... A night stand or end table is a fine use for all the 1" to 4" wide stuff and the flat sawn stock that you will end up with... You could sell most of it and save 1 board for sets.... It's a whole lot easier to just go pick through all the piles to buy the one good looking board and resaw it for sets, though.... Thanks |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minimum tree size... |
Yeah, pretty much. Even then, it's hard to find good wood. I go to Windsor pretty often, and I'm always like 'who could possibly use this POC and for what?' |
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