Deere Dude
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:tree::muttering: My neighbor wanted his nice shag-bark hickory trees cut down so I cut them into logs about 10-14' long, generally as big as I could handle them. I have a pile of about 30-35 logs. They are 2-3 years old right now. They range from 12" to 20+" in diameter. I got them for firewood, but since that time I have more firewood than I can shake a stick at. Now I am having second thought about using them for firewood.
I am trying to figure out what to do with them. A friend brought up taking them to a sawmill and maybe use the wood to build something. I built a lot of stuff from oak and I like the oak grain. Does anyone know how this stiff would be to work with and if it is a nice grain, and I understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
The other question I have is, what lengths would be the best to shoot for. I read somewhere to make them 8' 6" and straight and not many knots so a good 8' board could be had. This would be used just for general usage like maybe cabinets or odds and ends. Some logs may be able to get longer wood out of it like 10'6" or maybe 12'6". Spoiled I make them as long as possible to get more board feet out of them?
I planned on taking this information and cut the ends off the raw logs for firewood and store the good section of whatever length on a pile somewhere until I figure out what I want to make. I have a place to get them cut up when the time comes.
Is two or three years drying in a log adequate or would it take another year or so after the sawmill?
I'm just looking for ideas to ponder.
Thanks, Chuck
I am trying to figure out what to do with them. A friend brought up taking them to a sawmill and maybe use the wood to build something. I built a lot of stuff from oak and I like the oak grain. Does anyone know how this stiff would be to work with and if it is a nice grain, and I understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
The other question I have is, what lengths would be the best to shoot for. I read somewhere to make them 8' 6" and straight and not many knots so a good 8' board could be had. This would be used just for general usage like maybe cabinets or odds and ends. Some logs may be able to get longer wood out of it like 10'6" or maybe 12'6". Spoiled I make them as long as possible to get more board feet out of them?
I planned on taking this information and cut the ends off the raw logs for firewood and store the good section of whatever length on a pile somewhere until I figure out what I want to make. I have a place to get them cut up when the time comes.
Is two or three years drying in a log adequate or would it take another year or so after the sawmill?
I'm just looking for ideas to ponder.
Thanks, Chuck