Long time lurker, first woodworking attempts!

[Gerbutt]

The ash and walnut one looks great 👍

[agg221]

I've got a reasonable (free) supply of Ash and Alder, plus Willow, Birch and Sycamore. Any suggestions which I should target first and why?

 

Well done on the plank - if you've started with a 181 then milling can only get quicker

 

Is your supply standing alive, standing dead or already felled?

 

If felled, I would start with the birch. It can have a nice colour and grain but will rot fast. I would then go for the sycamore and when milled, stand it upright with only the ends touching anything if you want it to dry white. If you want it pink it won't matter so much. The ash can wait a bit.

 

If standing live, I would choose the ones I wanted for the projects I had in mind and cut them in that order.

 

If standing dead, I would expect the birch and alder to be rotten but check them first as if they aren't yet they soon will be.

 

Alder is soft and rots quickly if damp, but keeps really well if under water. It is fairly stable for carving or turning.

 

I wouldn't regard willow as useless. It doesn't have much grain or colour but is a good craft wood - it used to be heavily used cleft and bent for boxes. It was also used for tool handles as an alternative to ash - it is pretty shock resistant so was used for cart floors and even brake blocks as doesn't split under load. I wouldn't mill it though unless you need some plain boards for shelving as an alternative to Wickes whitewood (spruce) - although given your first post perhaps you would prefer the latter

 

Alec

[Johnmac]

Thanks for the info.

 

Sorry, I should have said the trees I have access to are all alive and standing. There is some oak, chestnut and a few other species but the two most common are Alder and Ash, so for that reason I was considering experimenting with them, then maybe move onto the Oak and such like once I've got my technique perfected.

 

Milling the small Alder (8" to 10" in diameter) was fun and pretty easy with my 181, I just took my time. Can't wait to get stuck into something more substantial. I wish there were a few Yew or Walnut around mine because the pictures on here look stunning!

 

 

 

This was tonight's project! A couple of hours yesterday and one today. My first bandsaw box. Far from perfect but my wife likes it!

[Ian Leach]

Looks like your a natural, here's mine made from oak and beech, You can stick thinner boards together too.

[Ian Leach]

Looks like your a natural, here's mine made from oak and beech, You can stick thinner boards together too.

 

......

[Johnmac]

That's cracking Ian, though way above my skill set! One day maybe!

[Lazurus]

If you have a free supply of timber just practice and enjoy it, the plank you produced would be a good house sign, you already have the router, just a simple template and bush and your away.......

 

S.