Crotch milling advice

[jcge]

I picked up a couple of pieces of eucalypt (unknown sp) and would appreciate your thoughts on how best to mill these crotch pieces...they're pretty small but I'm hoping to get some interesting figure for small panels (like box lids) and veneers. They're only small with the largest being about 600mm)

Should I cut through the 3x piths centrally, or should I cut either side of the 3 piths (a quarter saw slab, with boxed heart).

The split on the first piece is only into the bark layer.

IMG_1865.jpg
IMG_1866.jpg
IMG_1867.jpg

Thanks,
John

[wheelinround]

John they should produce some interesting grain once cut but being Eucy they may split like a politician from blame.

If you have a BS that can handle the size vertically or against a 90* fence I have seen Eucy spilt through the pith with the grain top to bottom/end to end.

Chainsaw may not leave you with much not knowing the dia as you say they are small pieces.??
Seal the ends regardless ASAP.

[jcge]

wheelinround

Thanks for your suggestions around sealing and potential loss in kerf for chain vs bandsaw. They are not huge pieces and so kerf is definitely a consideration.

I have a large (36") bandsaw but it's in rehab at the moment, and in no fit state for use any time soon, but I want to break these down ASAP to hopefully minimize and splitting as you rightly point out. So initial cuts will be on a chainsaw.

I'll then let the small slabs (about 2 1/2" thick??) air dry.

My question is really around the location of the "central" cut

like this --0O0--
presumably these will want to bow during drying

or like this ==0O0==
less prone to bowing, likely to split down the middle (vertically)

Thanks and regards
John

[wheelinround]

Nice size BS I'd get it up and working asap, then either option depending on what the end grain looks like ad IF you wish to use the centre cut section in option 2.

OR

just work your way from on side to the other through see what comes with slabs 1" 1/2 thick or 2".

[dai sensei]

Feather is useally in the middle so I'd cut them straight down the guts, then take a skim off each outside face, removing some sapwood/bark that will help reduce stresses and minimise bowing. Yes it may still crack around the pith but nothing that can't be filled

[Christos]

As others have said cut them down the middle of the pith.

[jcge]

Thanks for all of your responses - I really appreciate your input.

dai sensei - I take you point about skimming the outside face to remove some bark and sapwood

I'll post some pics when I've opened them up.

Thanks and regards,
John

[MAPLEMAN]

dai sensei - I take you point about skimming the outside face to remove some bark and sapwood



Thanks and regards,
John

The back sawn face of this stuff will surface check severely
If you do remove the sapwood make sure that you seal the piece (around the highly figured and back sawn areas) with wax emulsion or paint
Dai sensei is right about the sapwood causing the piece to bow and check as it seasons
They will need a slow cure particularly if you plan to extract box making material from them...MM

[jcge]

Thanks for the advice Mapleman - sealer at the ready!!!

I don't have great expectations....it's mostly about discovery for me.

It's one thing to walk into a lumberyard and buy a piece of KDHW, and another to start with a green log.

If it all turns to splinters, I guess that I'll just have a greater appreciation of timber pricing.

Regards
John

[jcge]

Is there any advantage in trying to saw green veneers or thin panels? Would they be any less susceptible to splitting?

Regards
John

[jcge]

I just sliced straight down the middle, pith to pith as best I could freehand.

Some interesting figure, and bark inclusions, and a couple of red ironbark slabs

IMG_1893.jpgIMG_1892.jpgIMG_1895.jpgIMG_1896.jpgIMG_1894.jpg

[wheelinround]

looks great the fork one which has some cracking may go all the way use epoxy or CA strap it together some how see if it holds. Look forward to seeing what is made from these.

[jcge]

wheelinround - thanks for your suggestion of CA for the splitting, but it's already opened up about 2mm. Not to worry it just means that soon I'll have twice as many pieces.

Just need to find the time to actually make something from these...

Regards,
John