school me on pecan

timberfaller390 · March 19, 2015, 10:39:04 PM

I just got a few pecan logs in and I don't really know what to do with them. What are some good sizes to shoot for? Also what's the going rate per bf? Pecan is kind of rare around here.

redprospector · March 19, 2015, 10:58:51 PM

It's been years since I've milled any Pecan. I do remember that it was the first hardwood I ever milled, and it seems like it was a nightmare. But I didn't know much at all back then. I'd like to get my hands on a few Pecan logs to play with now, I'm sure it wouldn't be near as bad as I remember it being.
I do believe that I was told it was graded as Hickory. ? That was by a lumber outfit in El Paso, TX.

5quarter · March 19, 2015, 11:07:25 PM

Some here refer to it as the

. Tough to saw and even tougher to dry, but it makes beautiful cabinets and flooring. For a time, it was very popular as a veneer on piano cases. I would not turn away any sawlogs if they came my way. ;)

Ocklawahaboy · March 20, 2015, 07:13:30 AM

The quality of the log makes a diffence. in my experience, live edge does not dry well. I had better luck getting straight boards when I sawed from a square cant and most or all of the sapwood is taken off. the sapwood dries much faster and shrinks much more than the heart, leading to excecssive twisting. most of the north FL pecan tress are 60% sapwood and therein lies the problem.

Magicman · March 20, 2015, 07:31:35 AM

I have sawn some very nice lumber from Pecan, but it was from large mature trees/logs over 30".

WDH · March 20, 2015, 07:40:01 AM

I have done well sawing 9/4 slabs for countertops, benches, and coffee table tops, and 6/4 for table tops. As you can see on my website, my 4/4 price for kiln dried and planed pecan is $3.75/BF. The 6/4 goes for $5.00/BF. I sell a good bit of it. Like MM says, though, this high quality pecan lumber comes from large trees, and it has a lot of heartwood to bring the best price.

Sticker on 16".

Watch it, though. Powderpost beetles love it.

sealark37 · March 20, 2015, 09:42:50 AM

Pecan saws like hickory. Harder than a woodpecker's lips. You won't know what you have until it is dry. Regards, Clark

hackberry jake · March 20, 2015, 10:38:36 AM

Friends dont let friends cut pecan.

Ocklawahaboy · March 20, 2015, 11:42:21 AM

Each of my pecan boards that warps goes from being a woodworking project to fuel for a tasty BBQ so it's a win-win in my book.
Of course, what you use for blade lube may impact the barbqueability of it.

ncsawyer · March 20, 2015, 01:12:30 PM

We have quite a bit of pecan and I will agree that it is as hard as a goat's head. Small longs don't really have any heart and like has already been said, the sap wood likes to twist and turn. My advice is to have a good sharp blade and some patients.

Dave Shepard · March 20, 2015, 03:07:50 PM

Quote from: hackberry jake on March 20, 2015, 10:38:36 AM
Friends dont let friends cut pecan.

:D No pee-can up here. We've some mean hickories, however.

BBTom · March 20, 2015, 03:22:18 PM

The worst job of sawing I have ever done was some of my own shag bark hickory sawn when it was frozen. Was not a fun job. I could not hold the .055 4°blades straight for love nor money. I have had good luck sawing hickory when not frozen.

dgdrls · March 20, 2015, 05:50:29 PM

Some of the first logs I milled were Hickory, so same family, makes dandy lumber.

One log I had I quartered and she had a bit of tension, (first pic) the other I flat sawed
and they were fine. (second pic) A furniture maker purchased all I had and was quite pleased with it.
As others have indicated the sap wood is where it can be tough.

Best
DGDrls

timberfaller390 · March 20, 2015, 06:17:33 PM

Thanks for the replies y'all. The butt log is about 28-30" clear and straight and there is a nice crotch on the top log.

WDH · March 20, 2015, 09:46:12 PM

Quote from: hackberry jake on March 20, 2015, 10:38:36 AM
Friends dont let friends cut pecan.

Especially if they have been drinking. If they have not been drinking, and they saw the pecan, they will soon start drinking :D.

timberfaller390 · March 21, 2015, 05:44:46 AM

Do you cut much oversized to allow for the drying issues?

customsawyer · March 21, 2015, 06:32:22 AM

I saw a little thicker on the 8/4 but on the rest it is just 4/4 or 6/4.

dgdrls · March 21, 2015, 08:20:01 AM

Quote from: sealark37 on March 20, 2015, 09:42:50 AM
Pecan saws like hickory. Harder than a woodpecker's lips. You won't know what you have until it is dry. Regards, Clark

:D :D

That's funny!

DGDrls

Magicman · March 21, 2015, 09:27:38 AM

This big baby turned out some fine lumber. ;D It was also very difficult to turn. :-\

customsawyer · March 21, 2015, 06:42:26 PM

One time Danny and was cutting some pecan and it was very interesting how one log would cut just as easy as you could ask for. The very next log was like carbide tipped wood pecker lips. I had to slow way down and you could still hear all 62 horses working as hard as they wanted to.