[Woodcarver] Basswood

[Dick Allen]

DOUG NEELY wrote:


>

> 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 lengths 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



1.   Probably cut the logs into 104 to 108 inch lengths for milling.  
This will allow the finished wood to be cut to 8' lengths and could be 
hauled in most utility type trailers.  Thw logs will weigh about 2 - 
3000 lbs each.  The logs should also be sealed with something on the cut 
ends to minimize end checking.  One of the commericial products used is 
Anchor Seal which is a wax base liquid that is painted on with a brush.  
If this is not available, paint can be used though several coats may be 
needed.  Any fresh end cuts should be treated also so after milling and 
the board had been trimmed, the end should be sealed.  Fresh cut 
basswood will weigh about 5 lbs per board foot and after drying will be 
about 2.3 lbsper board foot.  To handle the logs will require at least a 
heavy duty trailer and some strong backs as well as other equipment.  
Most preferably would be someone with logging equipment.  If you intend 
on making any bark boards, the handler needs to be aware of this intent 
and extra care needs to be used when handleing the logs because chains 
and hooks can damage the bark during handling.
    If the logs are in a northern location they can be left in the log 
form until early spring before milling.  If they are milled during the 
winter they need to be piled and stickered to allow drying but thicker 
wood (4-6 inches) could get surface cracks if the wood is allowed to 
freeze and thaw during the initial drying.  We have had this occur in 
northern Minnesota and usually wait until early spring for winter cut 
basswood to mill.  This wood is left in an open evironment for several 
months to allow for air drying.  We usually allow the wood to dry over 
the summer and then relocate the wood to a hayloft in a barn for 
continued air drying.  Some of the 4-5 inch wood can be completed in 
about 2-3 years.  The use of a kiln can improve the turn around time and 
is often used on 2 inch or less boards. 

2.  Basswood will spoil very easily if allowed to lay in hot weather.  
The log will decay internally and will appear as light colored streaks 
in the wood.  As indicated in (1) the logs can be stored during cold 
weather but should be milled soon after the weather starts changing 
after winter.  For carving you should try to get as much of the wood 
flat sawn and not quarter sawn.  To make a saw pattern, draw a circle 
and mark a square in the center that will be the heart which is a part 
as unuseable.  Then square of the circle as if you removed a slab from 
each side.  At this point you would determine the size of your thickest 
pieces and cut accordingly.  If you donot intend on making any 4-6 inch 
wood, be sure to have the mill cut any board at least 1/4-1/2" over 
sized.  This would mean for 1" (4/4)  would be sawn as 5/4.  This will 
allow for shrinkage during drying and a finished board would be a full 
inch.  For a 1.5 inch board you would have the board sawn as 7/4 which 
is equivalent to 1.75 inches thick.   Many times defects in the log will 
help dictate what can be made.

    I have been helping John Krantz with carving wood for several years 
and I can tell you that good finished carving wood is very labor 
intensive.  This week we have been getting orders and wood ready for a 
coming show this weekend and start again next week for another show.

Dick Allen




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