When can I use my Ironbark?

Hey hey, I'm new to forums and even newer to woodworking so be nice :q

Approximately 18 months ago we had a 20-22m Australian Iron bark fall down in a storm. We had some chippies come and mulch the branches but the trunk was far too large for them to do anything with, so it was simply cut into sections varying from 1-3m. My question is at what point would it be deemed "dry" enough to chop up and use for basic things like chopping boards? I know there will be some cracks I'll need to fill with resin, but if it will continue to crack then I'll just use them for some really hefty garden edges.

Cheers!

Welcome Jack

If it is left in the log form, probably in 100 years :rolleyes:. You will need to mill it into slabs/boards oversized so you can thickness them down to actual size later. Basically the general formulae for drying is allow 1" per year plus 1 year depending on density. With a dense timber like ironbark I would allow another few years on top of that, so it is a slow process.

"I would mill it ASAP as it goes from "bloody hard" to "F$@$# hard" as it dries.

haha yep 100years sounds about right! I thought it would be the case, I knew the sooner I could get it milled the better. I'll have to track down somewhere that can do it for me, I haven't got anything in my arsenal that will do that job. I'm counting on the Hard as F%$* to make some indestructible chopping boards

Thanks for the speeding reply :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dai sensei

You will need to mill it into slabs/boards oversized so you can thickness them down to actual size later.

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Also, do you have any guide on how oversized? Is there a general rule? A % of what you want your end thickness to be perhaps?

Thanks heaps

Depends on your tools, thickness wanted and overall length cut. I'd say min 10mm over but more if large thickness/lengths cut and chainsaw milled.

Yep what they said, asap

Many thanks lads :)