Processing a log

[James Seyfried]

I've just got two 11' by about 18" dia. walnut logs from a burn pile. The tree was cut down last summer, I cut it in half to get it on my truck. Would it be best to cut it all up and seal the end grain or cut what I can use and seal the ends?

I would like to use it to make some hollow vessels along with bowls and other projects. From the ends that I see it is very dark wood, mostly straight without branches.

 

[hockenbery]

What I would do is cut what I thought was the best blank for the hollow form and turn it.

After this many months the sapwood probably grey and could be punky.
Bleaching the sapwood may bring it back. I like the contrast in the white and dark.

When I get a log like you describe
I cut the best 3-4 blanks put them in plastic bags and turn them within a day or two.

I cut the log sections in 3 foot lengths and rip them through the center
I line this cut up to balance the grain or put knots where I want them
These I coat the ends of with greenwood sealer
I stack them in a shady place bark side up.
These I would try to turn within a month. The 2-4" on each end will get end checks so when I cut blanks from these I cut 2" off each end and inspect it.
If I sees checks i cut r inch off until it is crack free. I cut that log section into blanks put them in plastic and turn them within the next few days.

I will usually rip some of the walnut into 3" and 1.5" turning squares on the bandsaw 3 feet long.
These I use for boxes and Christmas ornament finals after they dry a year or two

Have fun
Al

 

[James Seyfried]

Thanks for the advice! It rained most of the day yesterday so I didn't get it all cut up. One thing I realized rather quickly is that I should save up for a bigger chain saw. Also, a 3' log is rather heavy.

I'm a beginner and even with the extra time I have with just retiring, there is no way I will be able to turn all this wood in the time frame you suggest. I will have to come up with a way to store some of it. I would like to cut up some for flat work.

I'm really pleased with the wood, here is some pictures of it. I put anchorseal 2 on the ends.

You are right there is not much white in the sap wood, however, it is solid and not punky.

 

[hockenbery]

I would cut some pieces into turning squares.
1.5"x1.5"x whatever length your log section are
3x3
4x4
These need to be dried under cover with stickers to allow air circulation.

Then in 2 years you have nice material for turning finials, ornaments, pepper mills, pens, balls , boxes.......
wood look nice!
Have fun,
Al

 

[MichaelMouse]

From the ghosts of the end of your bar, you're making things tough on yourself. Rip the side, not the end grain. By rocking the nose down into the log with spikes engaged, then rocking back and repeating you can keep the shavings flowing by not taking a full length cut and bogging/gagging the saw.

http://www.customwooddesign.com/turninggreenwood-1.html On the befits on ripping from the side.

 

[James Seyfried]

MM...yep, I figured that was the case after I cut the first one in half. My saw wasn't long enough to go all the way through and I wasn't lined up correctly and basically cut it twice. After that I leaned the piece on the log and cut similarly to as is shown in the link you posted.

Thanks!

 

[robo hippy]

Walnut is nice for drying fairly easily without too much cracking, and the bugs will get into the sap wood, but won't touch the heart wood. If you are cutting bowl blanks, cut the lengths longer than the width by 2 to 3 inches on each end. Even with sealing, there will be some cracking on the ends, which you trim off, and then make bowls or whatever. If you want hollow form blanks, it would probably be better to cut the squares first, then turn a cylinder, round over the ends, seal the ends, and put them in a cool dark corner. Nice wood. One note of caution is that some people react to walnut. Makes me a bit sneezy if I turn a lot of it.

robo hippy

 

[Lee Tourtelotte]

Log Processing Center - "LPC"

James -- You might want to consider building an "LPC" for your future Log & Bowl blank Processing -- it is super easy to build!

Our Minnesota Woodturners Association club recently had a project making "LPC's" for all our interested members to purchase at cost.

Our LPC "safely holds" any size log so that the chain saw can both cut the log across the grain to length, if needed, and then longitudinally, cut the log in half. It eliminates the inefficient struggle of trying to cut the log down through the end grain.

Our MWA “LPC†is a variation of one that Emmett Manley of Lakeland, Tennessee originally designed, built and described in the June 2010 AAW magazine. Our version has a few improvements that allow for a wider range of varying sized logs for processing bowl blanks safely. (Emmett has since advised that he has incorporated these improved features into his LPC.)

The reason the device works so well is that when cutting the log in half, as the chain saw bar passes through the center of the log, the kerf behind the bar begins to close, keeping the chain saw from binding as it finishes the cut. In addition, the saw drops free of the log into the gap between the vertical side boards so the saw never hits
the ground or other wood as it finishes.

An “optional†trim shelf can be added, which allows the cut bowl blank to be positioned securely in a simple pop up cradle for trimming the blank's corners at 45 degrees with the chain saw.

I will try to post a few pictures here of our LPC in action. If I mess-up, the pictures and a full description is posted on our Minnesota Woodturners web site at: www.mnwoodturners.co

Keep Turning Safely,

Lee Tourtelotte – leetourtelotte@msn.com

 

[James Seyfried]

robo hippy, Thanks for the heads up on the walnut reaction. I turned a small vase, used a dust mask, face shield and dust collector and still got some reaction from it. Mostly sneezing. I wonder if a Trend shield would work better, as I have allergies and probably more susceptible to irritation.

Lee, I really like the "LPC" and will be making one latter today. I think it will be safer and a lot easier on my back. I have the lumber but still need to get the exterior screws. I downloaded the pdf plan from the Minnesota Woodturners Association club website (very nice website!) so that I would have the dimensions. Thanks.

 

[robo hippy]

If you are sneezing, then your dust mask isn't doing a good job. If you are bearded like I am, they don't seal at all. This is where one of the positive pressure masks come in, or there is another one that is like of like a snorkel, and goes around your neck with filters on the back side.

robo hippy

 

[James Seyfried]

My "LPC"

I finished my "LPC". I was going to use lumber that I had and improvise as I didn't have enough 2x12s. Decided to buy a couple 8' 2x12s and make it per the plan. It looks like hinges were used for the optional trim shelf, I didn't have any and decided to make a pocket for it to slide into.

Thanks again Lee! I think the "LPC" should be included in Odie's "Useful shop gadgets" thread.

I had so much fun getting a bowl blank ready I roughed out a bowl. It is the largest one I have made and the first green wood one. There were times that I could feel moisture flying off. I made sure I cleaned up the lathe when I finished. I'll clean the floor today. 🙂

With the big pile of chips I made, it has me thinking about one of the coring systems.

 

[MichaelMouse]

Hah! Piker. Three roughs in the bag and on the table. Won't have to try and corral four corners, because it's already a bag. Just do a Santa up the steps.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/Forged-Peel-Long-View.jpg

 

[Lee Tourtelotte]

Finished LPC -- Looks Very Nice!

James -- Your finished "LPC" looks very well built! Excellent Job!
Also a very nice looking bowl taking shape on your "spotless", new PM.
Thanks for posting the pictures!

I knew if you took the time to build yourself a "LPC" you would really like its bowl blank cutting efficiency, eliminating a sore back and most of all, providing you a much higher level of safety, when cutting logs with your chain saw. I also applaud your clever "slide in - slide out" trim shelf -- a very cool addition to our basic design.

Feel free to pass our MN woodturner's LPC plans around to any of your interested woodturning friends. We have since November, probably now sent out more than 75 build plans to AAW members, who have requested our LPC drawings. All the subsequent feedback received has been nothing but very, very satisfied & happy. 🙂

Best Regards,

Lee Tourtelotte
Minnesota Woodturners Assoc.
www.mnwoodturners.com