Best way to get a smooth finish on green pine logs?

[samiad]

Im using some forestry pine logs for a bit of a project and would like to get as smooth a finish as possible on them whilst still green but am struggling a little. Ive Been going at them with a draw knife and theyve peeled well but are still a bit rough. Whats the best way to get them smoother? Finer draw knofe work or try to dry them briefly just enough to sand lightly? How long drying to achieve that i wonder?

 

Cheers

 

Sam

[Lazurus]

I use a small and very sharp spoke shave on green wood, seems to get a reasonable finish, or try wet sanding with Danish oil or similar as a lube.

 

S.

[samiad]

I use a small and very sharp spoke shave on green wood, seems to get a reasonable finish, or try wet sanding with Danish oil or similar as a lube.

 

S.

 

 

Nice one. It dosent need to be a great finish, i just dont want any splinters. Ive got quite a few to go so might try sanding with oil.

[Haironyourchest]

It's going to be tricky. If they forestry logs, harvested with a machine, the wood is probably messed up pretty bad I imagine? You can get a beautiful finish just by peeling the bark carefully, but with harvested poles? I dunno, wouldn't have much hope. Can't you ware gloves and finish them with a disk sander next year?

[pileswasp]

Sharper drawknife? Or turn the bevel up the other way, perhaps. Not much experience on pine, but with a bit of care with the grain around the knots you should be able to get an incredibly smooth finish with nothing else.

 

 

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[samiad]

It's going to be tricky. If they forestry logs, harvested with a machine, the wood is probably messed up pretty bad I imagine? You can get a beautiful finish just by peeling the bark carefully, but with harvested poles? I dunno, wouldn't have much hope. Can't you ware gloves and finish them with a disk sander next year?

 

Yes i noticed the harvester has bit in deep. Ive done a pretty good job of it considering but will try to find some thst have been snedded by hand or maybe so e hardwood lengths. Not sure where i could get those from in greater manchester/northwest. Might put a post up in genral chat.

 

Cheers chaps

[samiad]

I'l get the drawknife sharper and sanding wise, how long do you reckon i'd need to dry them to get it to work without the danish oil as lube?

[muttley9050]

A month should get the surface dry enough for a rough sand. I would concentrate on getting your draw knife sharper and your technique down. You shouldn't really need to sand at all. Just make sure you work the grain in the right direction.

[samiad]

excuse my ignorance on this, Ive never done anything like it really. How do I choose which way to follow the grain? the first log i did I just peeled the bark off and shaved smoothish as i went but there were tufts and bits of splinter left, partly for forestry damage. was going to try arbortec on the bad bits. I just bought an old drawknife and a stone, watched a few youtube vids and sharpened it accordingly but i'l do a more thorough job, leave for a few weeks and ligtly sand maybe. Can anyone link me up with how to wet sand? never heard of that.