Basswood timber advice

T

Tom Yocum

Member
Need some advice guys. Got a call from a sawmill that I had talked to over the summer and they have a live basswood they can cut for me if I want it. Its about 18" dbh, 15 inch at 10 feet. Price is 80 cents per board foot, they estimate 300-400 board feet (just an eyeball no actual measurements).

So, my questions are:
Is this a good deal?
What size pieces would you recommend I have the mill cut so that I can store to let it dry?
Any other advice appreciated. Thanks.
 
I just bought bass wood from the local saw mill and paid $60
for 2 boards that were 2.5" thick, 9" wide, and 10' long.

I know nothing about board feet and all that but the sign on the wall said Bass wood $1.20 a ft.

just my experience, I wouldn't know even if they ripped me off or not but I have two bodies cut out so far which makes me happy and that all that matters I guess!
 
Craig: A board foot is 12"x12"x1" or 144 cu. inches. If I calculated right, you got the basswood for $1.60 per board foot. Still not a bad price for good carving wood, especially if it was kiln dried.

Tom: Sounds like a good price. But as far as if it's worth it, I'm not a good judge as I've mostly carved with white pine (you should be able to get that in PA too). Are they going to kiln dry it for you? As far as dimensions, I'd go as large as will work for you. Bigger pieces have less edges (places to check). But if the mill won't kiln dry it, then bigger pieces will also take you longer to dry. The width and thickness of the pieces depends on your carving style and tools (ie: my bandsaw doesn't open that wide so I make all my bodies with 2 boards 2" thick). The length will depend on how you will transport it and the space you have to store it.
 
Just picked up a few short logs of Linden tree. Should I have it milled now or after it dries a little? What widths should be cut? Anyone use full logs whole?
 
Tom,

That is a great deal. I would take it. 300 - 400 board feet will probably last you for YEARS! That is A LOT of wood. The only downside is that it is green and you will have to wait to use it.

I got some green wood a few years ago and painted the ends with roof sealer (thick black paste). Stack the wood so there is a spacer inbetween levels. I had 1" x 1" lying around and sacrificed that. Put it in your shop and wait a year and it will get down to a moisture that is decent for carving. If you can put some in the rafters of your shop that may speed it up a bit.

Best,
Steve
 
Cap, I would split those whole logs down the middle, cover the ends with most anything to seal them, stack it somewhere under cover and forget about it for a while. The old rule of thumb for air dried wood is 1 year per 1 inch of thickness. good luck with it. Steve S
 
I'd seal the ends with something thicker. I've used paint in the past and it didn't seem to help. This fall I used Sno-Seal, the wax that you use to treat boots, and it worked great. They do make end grain sealer too.
 
The best price I can find locally for dry bass 8/4 is 2.76 / bf. Just got home from buying some a few minutes ago. I would get the whole lot if I were in your shoes.
 
Thanks guys. I am leaning toward buying it. My biggest problem will be finding an area to store it. Would putting it up in the attic above the garage be ok, or would the high heat cause it to crack? And while I am at it, other than what is mentioned above, what would you guys recommend to seal the ends?
 
You cAn buy anchor seal on amazon cheaper than most places and that seems to be a favorite of most people. I have used spar in the past on bass to let it air dry and it took almost a gallon and three applications to do 500bf. 3-400bf is not a lifetime supply believe me and it only takes two summers to dry mine that I have milled 16/4 x 32/4. For the price you are getting it look for a local kiln you might be surprised how cheap it is to have it done .50 bf is what I pay and it takes a month. Best case scenario is get a load kiln dried and put a second load on sticks. Whenever you start on the new pile order it again
 
You can dry 4" thick wood in less than a year. You need to control the humidity, temp, and circulate the air with a very small fan.

There is an article in Wildfowl Carving Magazine by Frank Werner. the back issue is still available.
 
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