Thread: Bandsawing a Spotted Gum

Originally Posted by Tim Creeper

Praps' we should have a new forum section called "Stuff we use" or something??

Tim

"Stuff we use" or "Stuff we use and abuse ?"

Regards
Paul

why? so scrap dealers can see it and think"some people will buy anything"

Originally Posted by 1thumb

why? so scrap dealers can see it and think"some people will buy anything"

NEVER!!!!

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Tim
"Stuff we use" or "Stuff we use and abuse ?"
Regards
Paul

Stuff that don't break.
Paul

thanks for all the information. Appreciate the effort put in to show your methods.

I'm not trying to nit pick, (just trying to learn more) wouldn't you find that an outdoor drying technique like that be too quick ? ie. with my attempts around here at drying spotted gum outside with corrigated iron like that , under the australian sun, I've ended up with a lot of checking in the outside pieces where the direct sunlight would still hit.

Wouldn't it be better (if have the choice) stacking them in a cooler part of a shaded shed ? spotted gum, in my experience seems to crack up particularily badly.

Originally Posted by apricotripper

thanks for all the information. Appreciate the effort put in to show your methods.

I'm not trying to nit pick, (just trying to learn more) wouldn't you find that an outdoor drying technique like that be too quick ? ie. with my attempts around here at drying spotted gum outside with corrigated iron like that , under the australian sun, I've ended up with a lot of checking in the outside pieces where the direct sunlight would still hit.

Wouldn't it be better (if have the choice) stacking them in a cooler part of a shaded shed ? spotted gum, in my experience seems to crack up particularily badly.

AT

No you are not being picky and yes, you are right, although Spotted Gum appears to be very variable.

The ideal for any air drying would be in a shed completely out of the direct sun, well ventilated, but also sheltered from direct and strong winds. However that is a luxury not available to me. In fact if I had a shed like that I would be using it to work in .

Having said all that, it is winter (almost) and drying will be very slow anyway in this part of the world. I am anticipating that it will be at least the begining of spring before the MC is down to 30%, which represents the end of the free moisture stage. At that time I propose to erect my improvised solar kiln, which is still a very gentle cycle.

I do have another stack of similar timber which has been drying down in NSW for just over two years. In fact it should be completely dry. I have to check it when I am back there next.

Regards
Paul

thanks Paul. I've just finished a few stools in spotted gum(how I noticed your thread) Really like the stuff, excepting the freeking cracks.

I've noticed even with some high cost professionally kiln dried stuff it seems to carry splits here and there.

I'm looking for new ideas around drying it myself. I'm not a miller, but it would be a hell of lot cheaper if I got it green and dried it myself to suit my work.

I've picked up a few ideas from your thread. thanks very much.

Originally Posted by apricotripper

thanks Paul. I've just finished a few stools in spotted gum(how I noticed your thread) Really like the stuff, excepting the freeking cracks.

I've noticed even with some high cost professionally kiln dried stuff it seems to carry splits here and there.

I'm looking for new ideas around drying it myself. I'm not a miller, but it would be a hell of lot cheaper if I got it green and dried it myself to suit my work.

I've picked up a few ideas from your thread. thanks very much.

Jake

I was going to suggest you post some pix of your stools and then I noticed the link. Love your chairs. Absolutely beautiful.

Just out of interest where were you getting the KD Spotted Gum and what sort of prices do they charge. The last time I looked was probably twenty years ago and I was horrified even then so I doubt much has changed.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Just out of interest where were you getting the KD Spotted Gum and what sort of prices do they charge.

I only got enough a while ago for a small job because I was finding it hard to get it dry anywhere at the time. From one of the big company's down south. Rang around , and seemed to be a common price for KD hardwood so I don't think I was shafted too much.

Still sounds like it will blow your mind.....I paid $3000/cube KD. won't do it again. I was told the price as though it was cheap !

I won't pay that again, and truthfully I wasn't that impressed. I mean it was dry enough... 10% all the way through, but there was plenty surface cracks, but I'd guess thats pretty common with spotted gum. And found the KD stuff doesn't bend as well.

My local mill sells green at about $1300 milled. 2x8" or whatever. And the timber had much less defect than the southern KD stuff.

and if I go with a mobile miller I should be able to get for much less...... but then I've got to be able to store it and dry it well.

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Jake
I was going to suggest you post some pix of your stools

... is this a medical interest ... ???

(no seriously - where was the link please?)

Originally Posted by apricotripper

Still sounds like it will blow your mind.....I paid $3000/cube KD.

Done.

Originally Posted by pmcgee

... is this a medical interest ... ???

(no seriously - where was the link please?)


Done.

Under his signature. Worth a look, really WOW!
Regards

Originally Posted by A Duke

Under his signature. Worth a look, really WOW!
Regards

Aaaah. Thanks. I don't see signatures.

Originally Posted by apricotripper

I only got enough a while ago for a small job because I was finding it hard to get it dry anywhere at the time. From one of the big company's down south. Rang around , and seemed to be a common price for KD hardwood so I don't think I was shafted too much.

Still sounds like it will blow your mind.....I paid $3000/cube KD. won't do it again. I was told the price as though it was cheap !

I won't pay that again, and truthfully I wasn't that impressed. I mean it was dry enough... 10% all the way through, but there was plenty surface cracks, but I'd guess thats pretty common with spotted gum. And found the KD stuff doesn't bend as well.

My local mill sells green at about $1300 milled. 2x8" or whatever. And the timber had much less defect than the southern KD stuff.

and if I go with a mobile miller I should be able to get for much less...... but then I've got to be able to store it and dry it well.

Jake

That is pretty much what I was expecting. I can't remember the name of company I was thinking of, but when each board comes in it's own plastic wrap you just know it's not going to be cheap. The timber equivalent of buying ten screws in a blister pack at the local hardware store.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by pmcgee

... is this a medical interest ... ???

(no seriously - where was the link please?)

Paul

That is so not one of my many festishes.

Hugh answered the question.

Regards
Paul