Newbie's First Slabs

boonesyard · April 24, 2018, 04:15:28 PM

We had an elm we needed to take down that's been standing dead for about 5-6 years. I was pleased to see how solid it was and decided to get it on the saw and see what it looked like. No rot and not much checking. We opened it up and were very suprised to see the beauty, It's like Christmas every time ;D ;D.We cut 3ea 3" slabs and 2ea 2" slabs and will be stacking and stickering tonight. My questions is, does anyone have much experience with standing dead elm? We have a lot of it where I'm at. Should I expect much degrade while air drying?

WOW this is addictive!!

WV Sawmiller · April 24, 2018, 04:25:33 PM

That's real pretty wood. Looks almost like a cross between maple and walnut to me. I have not cut elm yet so can't respond to how well it will dry. Good luck though. Thank for posting.

OffGrid973 · April 24, 2018, 05:21:06 PM

No issues and keep those ends sealed as you have. One guy built a desk from some Elm I provided and the price tag was impressive along with the build. Enjoy and with that thick you shouldn't need to much weight on top piece.

My elm had some bug holes throughout which gave great character.

SawyerTed · April 24, 2018, 06:43:56 PM

That's some pretty Elm!

Yes the rush of opening a new log is addictive as is the satisfaction of seeing some beautiful figure in the wood!

Great job! I would be looking for more of that Elm!

WDH · April 25, 2018, 06:57:56 AM

Elm has spiral grain, so drying it flat can be a challenge.

69bronco · April 25, 2018, 07:09:14 AM

Quote from: WDH on April 25, 2018, 06:57:56 AM
Elm has spiral grain, so drying it flat can be a challenge.

X2 on that. I've sawn quite a few standing dead ones, there doesn't seem to be nearly as much movement. It spalts really nice too! Saw it green and your stack will walk away!

Rjwassink67 · April 25, 2018, 07:56:52 AM

This is what my standing dead elm looks like!

boonesyard · April 25, 2018, 09:11:07 AM

Thanks for the input. I've got a lot of this on the property so I'll give it a try and see if I can keep it from "walking away" :D.

forgeblast · April 25, 2018, 11:20:30 AM

Elm was used in a lot of chair seats like the welsh stick chairs because of its grain help prevent splits....

dboyt · April 25, 2018, 11:27:54 AM

Pretty piece of wood! Looks like you ran it through a planer, put it back on the mill, & poured rubbing alcohol on it. I love milling elm, but most of what I cut is urban logs with lots of trash metal.

boonesyard · April 25, 2018, 01:29:30 PM

Quote from: dboyt on April 25, 2018, 11:27:54 AM
Pretty piece of wood! Looks like you ran it through a planer, put it back on the mill, & poured rubbing alcohol on it. I love milling elm, but most of what I cut is urban logs with lots of trash metal.

That's just the way it came off the mill. This woodmizer is a nice piece of equipment.

petefrom bearswamp · April 25, 2018, 04:14:55 PM

Most of the sizeable elm is gone here.
I have sawed maybe a dozen over the last 18 yrs all standing dead.
The pieces i still have here have dried OK.

WDH · April 25, 2018, 07:59:21 PM

That Yankee elm must behave better than its Rebel cousins.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · April 25, 2018, 08:21:52 PM

Quote from: WDH on April 25, 2018, 07:59:21 PM
That Yankee elm must behave better than its Rebel cousins.

Yankee Elm has a "Grit ty" grain.

69bronco · April 26, 2018, 08:30:07 AM

Sometimes it don't smell so good smiley_airfreshener

boonesyard · April 26, 2018, 12:26:54 PM

Were going to fall a few more this weekend and get them to the mill. I've got enough of this stuff so that by the time I'm done with it, I should be a self-proclaimed expert (has-been-drip-under-pressure) smiley_dizzy