Unions, are they worth milling?

[Bren.]

New to milling.

I've got a dozen or so oak unions I was going to process for firewood. Now I've got a mill and everything is potential board (that new toy itch has apart to play here).

They are 3+ft wide.

Am I wasting my time if I mill them?

[burrell_]

u can get some nice colours

[Rob D]

They will give some nice patterns as Martin says but what will you do with them after milling?

[Big J]

With forks you are largely relying on your end user using them in their complete form as a coffee table, or something similar. Consequently, you have a limited market, although that market seems to be reasonable. You might struggle a touch with oak though, as it's generally not as interesting as say Elm, Cherry, Ash etc.

[burrell_]

table or chair legs rob

with the trunk wood as the tops

i like elm unions for colour but there hard to mill if the tree has bin dead for a bit

[nepia]

New to milling.

I've got a dozen or so oak unions I was going to process for firewood. Now I've got a mill and everything is potential board (that new toy itch has apart to play here).

They are 3+ft wide.

Am I wasting my time if I mill them?

 

 

Another possibility is the market for turners - now that's a discussion in itself but not for here! If you slice a union down the heart you have two pieces that can each potentially provide excellent patterns for turning.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mtb594jixc5stb5/YAq4Cy6NmZ

[Bren.]

Oooh purdy.

I'll leave them where they lie for now and have a go at them in the autumn

Thanks for the info.

I've got a few mates who are chippies and turners, so maybe I'll just do them and hope they catch someones' eye.