Yew timber

[jjll]

Hi,

 

I have a stick of yew which has been cut for about a year. I intend to mill it up with an Alaskan which I recently bought. I don't know anything about milling, apart from the few attempts I've had on smaller stuff.

What is the best was to process this timber?

How long should it be left before making things with it?

Is there anything I should, or should have already done to the timber?

Is there a general thickness of planks that would make it more useable?

 

Any other tips would be appreciated

 

Cheers

[18 stoner]

Find someone who wants it, then cut it how they want.

 

Failing that, cut it for firewood:thumbup1:

[Ukulian]

Find someone who wants it, then cut it how they want.

 

Failing that, cut it for firewood:thumbup1:

 

'Cut it for firewood' is not the best advice, especially on a milling forum! Certainly not without pictures or an idea of the location / size.

 

Yew can be one of the most beautiful of timbers and is certainly the most durable of the softwoods.

[skyhuck]

Its cracking fire wood, very hot!!!

[Ukulian]

Its cracking fire wood, very hot!!!

 

Maybe, but it's a criminal offence to burn it in my book!

Turns well, makes fine furniture, carves beautiful and looks great! Why burn it.

 

Let's see where it is and what it looks like before that route is even considered!

[jjll]

The timber was cut by me and has been sitting in its final felling spot for the last year.

I'm not intending on selling it for profit or want anyone to buy it from me.

It's in a family property and has some sentimental value because of where it has come from.

My plan is to mill it up and either make myself or have someone make items of furniture or features from it.

I don't have any immediate plans as to what.

My questions were, what is the best way to process it, store it and treat it for future projects.

It will be staying outside in a woodland area.

And definitely not cut up for fire wood!

Just looking for some advise as I know nothing about milling.

 

Cheers

[detritus21]

I've made a mantlepiece out of some I felled. Milled it into 2.5 inch planks after it had been on the deck for a couple of years. I then had it in the conservatory for 6 months and finally finished it. Its not moved at all yet and have had a few blazing fires going. The remainder of the planks I knocked up a very rough bench.

 

Mill it to what size you think you will need. For outdoor furniture doesn;t matter if it green so use it. If you are bringing inside for furniture make sure it is sufficiently dry.

 

Oh yes and the offcuts did burn mighty fine

[18 stoner]

'Cut it for firewood' is not the best advice, especially on a milling forum! Certainly not without pictures or an idea of the location / size.

 

Yew can be one of the most beautiful of timbers and is certainly the most durable of the softwoods.

 

 

Ok, I tried the quick answer but obviously need to elaborate.

 

If it's simply cut for the sake of cutting it, you can limit your market, dramatically! You will possibly get someone who'll take it but give the "oh, I'd prefer it was in half inch thicker" etc so will bid you.

 

If the log is a year felled, it won't make much difference to it if it waits another year until the right client comes along. It can be cut to his sizes and you can dictate the price.

 

All above is assuming the illusive millionaire woodworker comes along. IMO, there aren't many of them, so, don't limit your market.

 

Yes it's a lovely wood when worked, yes it's durable too but there is lots of it around. Possibly the reason most of it gets put in the stove.

 

As for price, when selling these so called cherished timbers the buyers can offer significantly enough above firewood values, it will continue to get burned.

 

Oh, and it is an excellent firewood. Gives great heat, little ash and doesn't spit. Probably my favourite softwood firewood.

 

Hope that explains my opinion a little more, just speaking from personal experience. I've milled lots then put it on my stove.

[kinderscout]

I would mill it into two and a half inch thick boards.This would give the person who works with it enough timber to produce a two inch finished board and if need legs at two inch plus finish.

Paint ends off log before milling and seasoning.

[agrimog]

inch, inch and half, and two and half, this will allow for some planing to finished size, and also re-saw if requried, mill it, stack it, and strap it under cover, but with good through ventilation