bigbadpod

Not sure yet Mark, probably the usual suspects, tables etc. I used to use it when I got as carving timber, but tend to use mostly softwood now. Been a good few years since I worked down south, but when I did it didn't seem all that rare. But I suppose after a dozen or so years what was standing dead wood then will be rotting on the forest floor now? Hmmm.. think I need a moisture meter! Funny, I've got a dod of cherry that I cut and milled the back end of last year, wife wanted me to make a platter thingy for a friends wedding, made it but decided to use some mahogany instead. Point is, that wee bit o cherry has been in the house since then, hasn't changed a bit! I've also got a small mushroom I carved about 17 years ago (sycamore) which was in my worky caravan for a couple of months then in my house ever since. Same as the day it was made (but a bit drier ?). Wood's some strange shit...? btw, that's some beautiful dead elm - I've got access to quite a bit of it, can't wait now.

Hmmm.. think I need a moisture meter! Funny, I've got a dod of cherry that I cut and milled the back end of last year, wife wanted me to make a platter thingy for a friends wedding, made it but decided to use some mahogany instead. Point is, that wee bit o cherry has been in the house since then, hasn't changed a bit! I've also got a small mushroom I carved about 17 years ago (sycamore) which was in my worky caravan for a couple of months then in my house ever since. Same as the day it was made (but a bit drier ?). Wood's some strange shit...? btw, that's some beautiful dead elm - I've got access to quite a bit of it, can't wait now.

Aye, already got someone interested in a chunk to make a coffee table... even though I explained they were just felled last month.! In that note, any advice on seasoning times? I reckoned maybe a year in the big carving shed (byre) at the farm.

Hi there, got myself a cheap mill from ebay for my birthday- Royston ramps I think - and spent the day milling this beech. Nice bit of spalting in there, wish I'd cut the tree a foot lower though! Pretty new to this, done a few wee things with small log mill before, but have to say I'm hooked already! Watch this space!

Hi bud, I'm always on a tight budget :-( but for years I've used a wee stihl 180 with a pole saw bar (and chain) - it's not as pointy as a proper carving bar but you can get a reasonable amount of detail with it. Have to say, just recently purchased a sugi r7 bar and chain, the difference is something else, but not cheap - bar, chain and sprocket were the guts of £130. Not sure if you can still get the pointy poĺe saw bar but for around £100 you should be able to get an ok ms170/180. One last thing - there's really not much to a wee saw engine, so a bit of pootering about on a fixer upper could be worth a try. (Plenty of helpful info on this here forum)