Sycamore logs

[johnnyllama]

These sycamore logs followed me home the other day. The tree was cut while a site nearby was being cleared and the contractor was good enough to set it aside and later load it for me after I cut it to lengths. Although he didn't ask for any money I still insisted he take some, keep on his good side! I'm thinking I will mostly quarter saw, with a few live edge slabs for table tops. I've never cut sycamore so wondering, how much does it move in air drying, how hard is it, etc? Appreciate any input. It will all go to our cabinet shop use, not for selling as lumber.

 

[pineywoods]

Quarter saw that sycamore, otherwise it will warp, twist and cup in ways you can't imagine. Making cabinets out of sycamore will be a challenge...

[Glenn1]

I wish that I can find some large sycamore logs.  I purchased 5 logs and we got 500 bf out of them.  We QS them and they came out very straight after kiln drying them.  I wish I could find more as I only have 50 bf left.  My customers love them and have continually come back for more.  Any chance that you can ship some south?

[ozarkgem]

anchor seal the ends good. It will split.

[johnnyllama]

I've already anchor sealed the ends, 2 coats in fact. My main plan is for door panels, maybe with walnut or cherry frames. I like contrast with darker woods, plus I figure thinner panels in a more stable wood frame might keep things from any twist. I will dry everything stacked under another unit of wood for weight and see if I can keep warp and twist to a minimum.

[Sixacresand]

Cousin wants 2 inch slabs cut from a sycamore log I have for a table top.  Plan is to join two ten foot slabs, one side edged, the other live edge.   He came up with this idea this morning after his grand kids gathered around a crowded too small breakfast table before a dove shoot at his creek house.  We going to give it a shot. 

[Brad_bb]

I've never had the occasion to cut sycamore yet, but I have some 120+ year old barn rafters that are sycamore and seems like a pretty soft wood like tulip poplar or softer.

[customsawyer]

Sycamore cuts pretty easy. If it is quarter sawed it will be a lot more stable than if it is flat sawed.

[xlogger]

I've never saw Sycamore before but would like to get a couple logs to try. On quarter sawing, how clean does the log need to be (knots or clean faces)? Your logs look nice.

[dboyt]

You'll love the grain of the quartersawn sycamore.  It is also called "American lacewood" because of the quilted appearance of the grain.  I've got some fair size sycamore (40"+ dia) that I am quartering with a chain saw before putting them on the mill.  Not too many places you can get 20" wide quartersawn sycamore!

[WDH]

Slabs from those logs will be tough to keep flat unless sawn from the center of the tree.  Sycamore has spiral grain.  Most of the first flatsawn cuts off the log to square the cant will turn into pretzels.  Nothing that you can do about that.  So, slab a little heavy. 

[killamplanes]

I like cutting sycamore. Ur blade slides right threw it
With ease. Bad about cupping ,twisting etc. Yours appears to not have ring shake. Which is common on the first log atleast here. Enjoy.

[scully]

I would only quarter saw . Make real sure the pith is centered when you cut . Unless you are building a multie directional rocking chair .

[killamplanes]

 :D :D :D :D

[jimparamedic]

makes great lumber. just keep it out over the sun and it will dry fine

[johnnyllama]

Sounds like the consensus is to quarter saw. I think I might try some quartersawn slabs keeping one live edge for the outer edges of a table top, and just saw enough pieces at 2 1/2" thick to glue up a complete top. Seems like if it's all quartersawn I should be able to keep it flat once dried. The rest will be sliced up for door panels.
They are decent logs, straight and no knots in 2 of the 3. The 3rd one has a couple knots. I'll get some photos.

[Joey Grimes]

I agree with everyone about the quatersawing .I've had best luck quatering the log then retruing the faces the opening quater cuts usally  realeses stress but after that it behaves