locust

trapper · July 09, 2018, 11:25:25 PM

stepson brought me some locust

n brought me 2 locust (dont know which variety) to use as legs for an elevated deer stand. 11 in diameter at narrowest point 12 ft long, I want the base of the box 6 feet of the ground. They are dead with the bark off but sound. If I split the pith how likely are they to warp? I would like to split them and a small flat on one side to nail or screw to. Also will a nailgun work on locust or will i have to drill and screw pine to locust?

9

POSTON WIDEHEAD · July 09, 2018, 11:30:08 PM

Has a nice Gray Patina.

btulloh · July 09, 2018, 11:33:12 PM

Very uniform too.

WV Sawmiller · July 10, 2018, 01:18:29 AM

If it is like our black locust and dead will be real hard and I'd doubt the nailgun would penterate real well. I used locust on my 2 shooting houses/deer stands and mostly drilled and lag screwed th framing to them. I did not square off any sides.

I built a big pole barn for lumber storage and used locust for uprights and did square the sides for it. I drilled with 1/4" auger bit and nailed most of my framing up using 60 penny spikes. I did drive some 16 & 20 p nails in to hold the framing in place till I got the bigger spikes in. Most of those uprights were still green when used.

I did not split the pith and they will probably warp some but if I needed the extra poles and using plenty of stout framing I'd split them. Its just a deer stand after all. If you miss a big one you can always use that as an excuse. :D

Completed shed - 3 bays.

Also built a woodshed last year using 4 locust uprights which I squared first on nailing surfaces only.

Sides X3. Good luck.

nativewolf · July 10, 2018, 06:20:49 AM

Trapper, maybe me but I can't see the pictures nor do I see them in your gallery. We are cutting locust this week (if our sawyers mill gets back to working) for a govt client, hope to do lots more. We have orders for several poles, posts, cut posts, etc. I'm a fan of locust.

Brad_bb · July 10, 2018, 08:55:28 AM

I don't see any pics either. I wonder if he knows how to post on here? It's not like other forums. You have your own photo gallery on forestry forum and have to upload the pics to an album.