[Woodcarver] Re: basswood

[ron at carvedbyramsey.com]

Hi Doug,

I would cut it into the largest pieces you think you might use. 
Commercially, I haven't seen anything larger than 4 x 6. The reason for
this is large pieces of wood tend to check as they dry because they dry
from the outside in and the wood shrinks as it dries. Smaller pieces would
be less likely to check.  Even if you go with smaller dimension lumber, cut
the lengths as long as possible. The boards tend to check more on the ends
and this allows more good wood after you trim the ends. You can use the
smaller pieces between the checks for smaller carvings. Stack the green
lumber well off the ground and put stickers between the layers. Seal the
ends well with parafin or three coats of acrylic paint. Cover the stack
with plactic but allow some air circulation. Too much moisture will cause
the wood to grow mold and too much hot dry air will cause the wood to dry
too fast and check. This balance will depend on your clmate. A general rule
of thumb is that it takes a year to dry for each inch of thickness of the
wood. This will vary with the humidity of your climate.  I'm able to dry 8
x 8 mantels in about three years in my dry climate but it will take much
longer in a more humid climate.

You have lots of wood, so you can try drying some of it in a solar kiln. 
Don't use any boards thicker than 2" for this. Stack and seal as before but
use clear plastic and make your pile in a sunny location. Make sure the top
layer has a piece of plywood or other shading stickered off the top layer
so that the wood is protected from direct sun. allow good ciculation under
the plastic and use a small electric fan to circulate air through the pile.
Use the fan as an exhust to suck outside air in and through the stack. 1"
wood can be dried in as little as two weeks using this method.

Good Luck,
Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com

Im going to collect a basswood tree (first week of Nov.).I was wondering
how to deal with it?

1.What size lengths should I cut it into?

2.Do I get the lfor engths sawn into boards?How big do I make those?

The base is about 32 inches round ,and the tree itself is about 55ft
high.Any help would be great.Thank You.

Doug Neely



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