milling hawthorn?

[teepeeat]

Anybody had a go with some hawthorn? Got biggish stem that came down during line clearance and thinking of giving it a go when I get an Alaskan. Makes good firewood, but the timber does seem like it might make some good boards.

[nick1854]

Yes yes yes. It can be beautiful timber. It is quite dense like fruit woods. The problem is finding stems big enough to make it worthwhile to mill....if it's 10 inch or bigger diameter give it a go. The stems I have come across often have spiral grain and bark inclusions from the fluting on the trunk. Often pinks and red colours in the heart wood. Pictures please if you mill.

[youcallthatbig]

I have used it turned for chisel handles in the workshop, works a bit like boxwood, and takes a mallet hitting it no probs..... not sure I would construct anything from it tho.

[teepeeat]

I believe turners like it, but the stick seems a good size and will give it a go - going to be a while before I get to it - got to get the alaskan first

[Brushcutter]

I milled a bit years ago. Was about 12" across and 6' long was a lovely orange colour when i cut it. Fading to a yellow once it was dried out. It's in the shed somewhere....

[se7enthdevil]

I believe turners like it, but the stick seems a good size and will give it a go - going to be a while before I get to it - got to get the alaskan first

 

mill it quickly and dry it slowly or otherwise it will split like crazy...

[Tom D]

They used to use it for wooden nails in timber frame buildings and the like. Seasoned hawthorn pegs knocked into pre drilled holes in green timber..

[teepeeat]

mill it quickly and dry it slowly or otherwise it will split like crazy...

 

was wondering about the drying. How do I dry it slowly? Was thinking of just air drying it.

[agg221]

was wondering about the drying. How do I dry it slowly? Was thinking of just air drying it.

 

Air drying should be fine, but you can slow it down further by milling in Autumn when it's damp and cool, stacking in the shade with gentle air movement but out of strong draughts and using thinner stickers. If you need to mill in hotter weather you can slow it down by covering the sides of the stack during the day and uncovering at night.

 

Alec

[teepeeat]

Air drying should be fine, but you can slow it down further by milling in Autumn when it's damp and cool, stacking in the shade with gentle air movement but out of strong draughts and using thinner stickers. If you need to mill in hotter weather you can slow it down by covering the sides of the stack during the day and uncovering at night.

 

Alec

 

cheers Alec, was looking at doing it in the autumn and stacking in the wood till next year when I will be able to extract it. It is near the bottom of a steep hill so well out of drafts etc.

Hadnt thought about thin stickers - any danger of restricting airflow too much?