how thick to cut walnut

gary · April 11, 2006, 07:49:26 AM

I have been given two walnut trees. They are about 16 dbh. I should get 5 or 6 8ft. saw logs out of them I am going to try and sell the lumber. What would be a good size to cut them ? I was thinking 8/4 and 5/4. Can I air dry this or should I send it to a kiln?

twoodward15 · April 11, 2006, 09:41:50 AM

From a woodworkers prospective, i'd cut 4/4, 5/4, and 8,4. I personally prefer air dried wood, so I'd air dry it. How much are you going to ask for the lumber?

gary · April 11, 2006, 09:53:11 AM

Twoodward Thanks for the sizes . Would 12/4 be a problem to air dry? The reason I ask is we have a few people here who make custom gunstocks and they like 12/4. I don't know what price to ask for the lumber yet. I was going to call a couple of lumber yards to find out the local prices then sell it for a little less.

beenthere · April 11, 2006, 10:45:01 AM

From the handling aspect, and as well, dealing with customers - I'd cut it all into 5/4 and solve the problem of stickering and stacking (all one thickness makes for a neater pile). Also, when the potential buyer comes, he also doesn't have to make the decision of "which one he should buy". I'd not try to accomodate all potential buyers with so few logs and lumber volume.
If I were cutting it for my own use, then I would make a stickered layer or two of thicker or thinner material, depending on the quality of the lumber when sawing.

Another way, is to locate the buyer (if custom gunstock makers are really interested) and invite them to buy as you are sawing. That way they can spot any potential gunstock material and get it sawn to the thickness they want. They take it with them and you pocket the cash. Their worry on stickering it and drying, not yours.

Greg · April 11, 2006, 11:08:49 AM

Quote from: gary on April 11, 2006, 09:53:11 AM
Twoodward Thanks for the sizes . Would 12/4 be a problem to air dry? The reason I ask is we have a few people here who make custom gunstocks and they like 12/4. I don't know what price to ask for the lumber yet. I was going to call a couple of lumber yards to find out the local prices then sell it for a little less.

Can anyone talk about what buyers look for in walnut gunstock material?

Thickness, length, grain orientation, knots desirable/not desirable, etc.

I am assuming you wouldn't want any heart material in a gun stock, but beyond that I don't know.

Thanks,
Greg

twoodward15 · April 11, 2006, 11:38:14 AM

Gary, beenthere makes sense with the 5/4 material, but if it was mine I'd also cut 8/4 for table legs. Also, if it was my wood, I'd not worry too much about the gunstock makers. There really isn't that much demand from them as far as I can see. They've pretty much already got people that they purchase material from and you might be hard pressed to try to get there business, not knowing them at all.

ohsoloco · April 11, 2006, 12:02:29 PM

I never seem to mill enough 8/4 lumber when I'm cutting for my own woodworking.

twoodward15 · April 11, 2006, 04:59:49 PM

I guess that means you aint cuttin' enough for me either then does it?

ohsoloco · April 11, 2006, 07:28:35 PM

;)

Max sawdust · April 11, 2006, 08:50:31 PM

Make sure to use end sealer on the logs to reduce loss.

When in question on if I have a use for 4/4 or 8/4 I will cut double thick 4/4 this is a little more thickness than 8/4 , but I can then rip it down to 4/4 later if I find I have no need for the 8/4.
Max

gary · April 12, 2006, 09:11:48 PM

gary · April 12, 2006, 09:18:04 PM

Iam learning how to post pictures. Here are some pictures of the walnut

CaseyForrest · April 13, 2006, 05:53:49 AM

I am curious what you all mean by 4/4, 8/4 and so on?

bcraw98 · April 13, 2006, 06:52:13 AM

4/4 = 1" thick 5/4 = 1 1/4" thick 8/4 = 2" thick. Thickness expressed in quarter inch increments. 24/4 = heavy ;D

ronwood · April 13, 2006, 09:29:33 AM

The scale bcraw98 mention above is the standard quarter scale. When I cut grade lumber I use the Hardware grade quarter scale which adds another 1/8 inch to the values given.

Ron

beenthere · April 13, 2006, 10:37:32 AM

Quoting a bit from the NHLA rule book on
STANDARD THICKNESSES
Standard thicknesses for rough lumber are 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1¼", 1½", 1¾", 2", 2½, 3", .... 6".
One inch and thicker may also be expressed in quarter inches as follows: 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 8/4, 10/4, 12/4, 14/4.......(16, 18, 20, 22).....24/4.

STANDARD THICKNESS FOR SURFACED LUMBER
.....is calculated by subtracting 3/16" from standard rough thickness for lumber 1½" thick or less and by subtracting ¼" for lumber between 1¾" and 4" thick.

Nothing said about oversizing the standard thickness. Is that possibly an agreement between the buyer and seller, or a requirement of the buyer? What is the "Hardware grade quarter scale" (assume it is hardwood grade quarter scale

)which adds another 1/8" ???

Larry · April 13, 2006, 01:12:36 PM

Quote from: beenthere on April 13, 2006, 10:37:32 AM
STANDARD THICKNESS FOR SURFACED LUMBER
.....is calculated by subtracting 3/16" from standard rough thickness for lumber 1½" thick or less and by subtracting ¼" for lumber between 1¾" and 4" thick

You can't get STANDARD THICKNESS FOR SURFACED LUMBER unless ya add a little. The kiln gets 1/16"...little cup, wave or dip and down the tube.

Most sawyers saw 4/4 at 1-1/8". I'll saw 1-1/16" but if 10" or wider go to 1-1/8" to allow for any cup that sneaks in during drying.