Author Topic: Sycamore (Read 5393 times)

Kansas · « **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2012, 10:11:16 AM »

When I had my house built and they built the deck from bur oak from the mill, they never predrilled a hole. They used a hammer drill and special screws. I never saw evidence that they twisted any of them off. If you could do that with bur oak, it should be a lot easier in sycamore.

Bibbyman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2012, 12:05:46 PM »

We used sycamore to frame out our swashed. It’s hard to make long straight and accurate lumber out of sycamore logs as there tends to be a lot of stress to deal with.

We saw and nail right off the mill with water still squirting out. Let it dry and it will crawl off and be too hard to drive a nail into. But nail it up green and pull the bends out of it and it will dry reasonably straight in place.

We have sawn thick 1” sheeting for a couple of guys rebuilding and restoring log cabins. The rafters were 4’ spacing so the lumber was sawin 1-1/4” thick. Both customers were very pleased.

Put nail or screw into sycamore and its there forever. You’ll never pull it. The nail may break off.

We removed one shed off the north side of the saw shed and replaced it with a major extension. I used the loader to demolish the framework. Or tried to. I managed to pull it down and mangle it. I ended up taking the chainsaw and reducing the framework to sizes small enough to handle and dispose of. The nails would not pull out and the sycamore would not bust up.

Indiana Robinson · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2012, 03:26:08 PM »

Three of the old barns here on the farm are timber-frame and in all three the timbers are sycamore cut here on the farm at least 100 years ago and assembled green. It works great for that as long as it is protected from the weather. Those three were sided with SYP shiplap.
I need to replace several post in one barn and plan to saw them from sycamore from here on the farm (just because

).
All three could use work, one more than the others. I really wish that I had the funds loose (and energy) to do some serious work on them. Sadly everything you do on an old barn can get $$$$.

.

.

rockman · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2012, 04:27:12 PM »

Quote from: 5quarter on July 06, 2012, 12:38:00 AM

something to note about sycamore...If the log has twist in it and you are going for true qtrsawn, you will be disappointed. you may be exactly 90° to the rings on one end, but as the log twists, the rays will very quickly run out. If you're log is knotty and/or has twist up the trunk, push it over the bank. I haven't had too much trouble with sycamore, flat or quartersawn. but I won't saw sycamore unless its clear and well formed. also, I will saw a few oaks and stack them on top. Sycamore always goes at the bottom of the stack.

Fortunately, This tree is on level ground and is very straight. I am glad to hear it makes nice furniture, I need to build a few pieces.

Kevin

jpmorris98 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 06, 2012, 06:27:56 PM »

Made for a right pretty header arch earlier this year....

The remainder of the frame is white oak.

hackberry jake · « **Reply #25 on:** July 06, 2012, 06:30:48 PM »

That's awesome jpmorris98!

paul case · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2012, 06:34:49 PM »

I had a half o whack of sycamore come in last summer and it sit at the mill through some real hot temps out in the sun til I sawed it in September.
It bahaved like a MARRIED MAN.

No running off warping and twisting. Before you ask, it made some very beautiful shipping cants. PC

rockman · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2012, 07:13:18 PM »

OK, Here are the photo's I promised.

Thanks to all for the information, I'm glad to hear it is good for furniture, I can't wait to see whats inside it.

Thanks again,
Kevin

WDH · « **Reply #28 on:** July 06, 2012, 08:55:50 PM »

You better make sure that it is perfectly dry before you use it. Don't ask me how I know this

.

mikeb1079 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 06, 2012, 09:06:22 PM »

one thing i've noticed about sycamore is that if you let the logs sit for an extended period it will stain, at least in my experience. doesn't look that great.

Kansas · « **Reply #30 on:** July 06, 2012, 09:36:09 PM »

We can actually get a premium for spalted qs sycamore. Its not for everyone. But it doesn't have to be. Only has to be for a few. Some go crazy for it.

metalspinner · « **Reply #31 on:** July 07, 2012, 10:08:56 AM »

Here are some cabinets for my wife's scrapbook room made of spalted sycamore.

clww · « **Reply #32 on:** July 07, 2012, 10:11:40 AM »

Beautiful woodwork.

Magicman · « **Reply #33 on:** July 07, 2012, 11:29:41 AM »

It's even more beautiful to see in person.

submarinesailor · « **Reply #34 on:** July 07, 2012, 12:20:16 PM »

Quote from: jpmorris98 on July 06, 2012, 06:27:56 PM

Made for a right pretty header arch earlier this year....
The remainder of the frame is white oak.

JP - I remember that frame well.

Bruce

rockman · « **Reply #35 on:** July 07, 2012, 04:07:27 PM »

Quote from: metalspinner on July 07, 2012, 10:08:56 AM

Here are some cabinets for my wife's scrapbook room made of spalted sycamore.

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. That is some beautiful work, thanks for sharing.

Kevin

jpmorris98 · « **Reply #36 on:** July 07, 2012, 08:35:44 PM »

Quote from: submarinesailor on July 07, 2012, 12:20:16 PM

JP - I remember that frame well.
Bruce

Good to cross paths there and here Bruce.

As for the timber.... it was fresh cut from the foothills of the blue ridge that same month (March 2012)... We should have taken bets on length, number, and breadth of cracks, not to mention degrees of rotation we'll observe after it's weathered a year or so.... I bet these past few weeks of 95 - 101 degree high temps have done a doozie on it! I'll try to remember to snap a pic and update this thread if I have the chance to visit the site.

metalspinner · « **Reply #37 on:** July 08, 2012, 10:48:36 AM »

Quote

Made for a right pretty header arch earlier this year....
The remainder of the frame is white oak.

JP,
The thing is, that timber was straight, flat and square before it was installed.

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Author Topic: Sycamore (Read 5393 times)

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