Thread: Wood from my own back yard

Devery,

You say you have a project in mind but don't say what.

Draw-knives are normally used for rough shaping cleft timber into shapes suitable for onward work with finer tools.

Cleft timber being riven 'green' from a length of trunk. So if you want to use the draw-knife on the branch, now is the time.

Slightly curved versions all the way up to 'Scorps' have more specialised uses, from bellying barrel staves when coopering through to shaping Windsor chair seats to fit the buttocks.

I see. The knife did feel great on the green timber, I could imagine that it wouldn't be so easy when dry. So I will do all my rough shaping at this stage.

I guess my question was too broad, so I will refine. How do I dry timber in log form?

My project is a coffee table using the natural shape of the tree as its legs.

A log that size should be dry in about a year and a bit but no gurantee it will not split. Small logs like that have a reasonable chance of making it however if kept in a cool dry place with the ends sealed. I would dry more than you need as some will split. You could have a look and ask some questions on the Green Woodworking section. It may be easiest to construct the base while green using round tenons as in chair making.
Regards
John

Good tip, I will collect more than I need. I actually think I have done that so I'm on the right track. I'll just collect, seal the ends and store. I'll get myself a moisture meter and go from there.

Now, what about these buildings that use logs for the frame work? Would it be common practice to use the timber while green? My shed has been constructed using logs not much thicker for the uprights and about the same diameter surrounding it then clad in iron. Where the timbers join they simply use a lap joint and bolt it together. This is another project I would like to do some day, so I want to know if I should season the wood before use.

There is a long history of using Green Timber in building projects. Orientating the grain such that when it shrinks (through drying) it grips (or is gripped) tightly whatever it is jointed around.

Take for example the stretchers and legs of an old Windsor chair. The stretchers are cut from a cleft blank, turned and then orientated into the holes in the legs such that they shrink more top to bottom than side to side. The legs are oriented opposite so they shrink side to side and hence grip the stretchers without glue.

On a much larger scale, log cabins of the early pioneers were made from green logs, readily available and easier to work. Seasoned logs were hard to come by.

So go for it, use what you have and be prepared to make good later as some small amount of failure (twisting or warping) will occur.

There is probably a book or two in a local library or other members can suggest on using Green Timber in building projects, do a little research, it will pay off.