The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: ellied on February 20, 2011, 04:30:26 pm

Title: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: ellied on February 20, 2011, 04:30:26 pm: The tree that was coming down is now down, branches getting burnt up gradually and logs stacked but I have some huge trunk slices/chunks almost 2' diameter and wondered if there was anyone on here that knew if there was something crafty I could do, or someone else might want some of these for as the tree was over 30 years and there are some lovely double ringed bits, I was wondering about a wee tabletop or things like chopping boards but haven't any tools or a clue how to go about it.

Tree is Douglas Fir as far as I know, and I will use it for firewood eventually if can manage to take an axe to it all in due course, but it's a resource/ingredient produced naturally here and I wondered if there was anything could be done to make something worth selling or as gifts ???

I know wood turners mostly want elm and other burred woods to make arty bowls etc but just a thought that I thought would be worth asking about on here ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: robert waddell on February 20, 2011, 05:01:28 pm: douglas fir is of no use for what you are wanting
horrnbeam is what you want for chopping blocks/mallets
Title: Re: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: jacob and Georgina on February 20, 2011, 06:25:05 pm: i am a joiner and work with doug fur often, it is very sappy and often contains lots of big knots, it is very durable in wet weather and great for windows and doors, But not really any use for much else in terms of furnature etc! great for firewood just waych out as it can spit sometimes due to the high moisture content.
Title: Re: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: HappyHippy on February 20, 2011, 06:47:34 pm: I do a bit of pyrography from time to time (burning design's into wood) and although softwood like pine and fir is really easy to work on compared to hardwood, it lacks durability.
Here's a good forum for all things 'woody' ;)
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?20843-Yellow-Pine-vs-Douglas-Fir-for-Workbench (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?20843-Yellow-Pine-vs-Douglas-Fir-for-Workbench)
HTH
Karen x
Title: Re: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: ellied on February 20, 2011, 07:15:12 pm: OK thanks, the bits are now too short to replace my window frames or back door sadly ::) but if it ever happens again.. ;D

I guess it's just big firewood then - I have a fireguard for spitty wood anyway ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: Hatty on March 11, 2011, 02:11:28 pm: isn't that what they use for bee hives? :wave:
Title: Re: Does anyone work with wood?
Post by: deepinthewoods on March 11, 2011, 02:18:32 pm: im a joiner too and second what was said above. its great for outoor planks and rough stuff and makes nice chainsaw mushrooms. seasoned, it burns lovely. ive made a window with it b4 but wouldnt use it again for proper joinery, too bouncy under the chisel!!