Questions Regarding Using Black Ash for 6x6 Posts

[DeepWoods]

Had a guy stop in today to ask me if I could saw him a couple 6"x6"x8' black ash posts for use inside his home.  He wants to replace ones that were installed previously, that over time had twisted beyond what was acceptable to him.  He thinks they are white ash, but because I have lots of black ash on my property, that is what I offered to cut for him.  

One of his first questions was how long it would take to dry, as he wanted to replace them immediately. He wasn't to keen on the 2-3 years, or longer that I told him it would take to dry as I don't have/or access to a kiln.  I tried to impress upon him, that short of a kiln, I didn't know of a safe way to get them drier quicker. I did try to answer all of his questions to the best of my knowledge, but he was trying to find a shortcut to getting it done as soon as possible.  The only other solution I came up with was to maybe use a store bought 4x4 and wrap it with 1x ash.  My concern with this is that apparently they are load bearing, so I told him it was on him to find out if this would be acceptable as I have no way of knowing.

So my question to the forum is, is there a way for me to help this guy out?

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, speaking just from my own experience, this fella is a tire-kicker looking for an instant solution he isn't going to find. I hate to be blunt, but let him move on, it's a time suck and he will not end up with what he wants in any event. If it's load bearing, he should not neglect shrinkage and all the other things that play in, which will rest on his decisions.
 Without a kiln and probably re-sawing after drying, there is no way he will get what he wants. I have had clients like this and I tried my best to help them, but instead of being viewed as 'helpful guy" I was viewed as just another supplier that couldn't give them what they wanted.
 Know your limitations, and send him down the road if you can't meet his demands. (Which are unreasonable for what you can do.)
 That's just me.

[DeepWoods]

I totally agree with your assessment of the guy, and my wife and I have just finished a conversation that ended up with the exact conclusion you came to.  But being someone who has a hard time saying no to anyone, I was hoping for a different solution.  But I will go with my gut instinct and run. 

[Old Greenhorn]

I should have mentioned that I never just 'send 'em packing', I do my best to find them a good reference of where they should go for a proper solution. It's usually something they already knew, but didn't want to pay the price or deal with the hassle of more qualified people, like engineers. But I always try to provide that reference to the 'right guy' for their problem. Maybe they will remember that later for work I can do. Most times they don't. :D ;D

[Magicman]

During the past 5 years I have sawn well over a thousand posts from various hardwood species including Oak, Sassafras, Ash, Elm, Sweetgum, Sycamore, and maybe some that I don't remember.  All were pith centered with only one coming from any log.  All were installed "fresh sawn" without any drying whatsoever.    All were installed under porches, etc. where they were not directly exposed to any weather.  I have not observed nor been told of any that did not remain straight.

These were all for commercial housing projects and they were all construction/design engineer specified.

[barbender]

 He could use them green more than likely, but they could well twist while drying again. I have some pine posts and railing posts in my house that have twisted substantially (pith centered) but no one really notices but me😊

 I'd probably just tell him that I'd saw him 6x6x8 posts out of black ash, they're green, and it's on him if that's right for his application. Anything that still has to dry is an unknown as far as how it will behave. 

[Don P]

2x, dried, planed and nails and glue? But I wouldn't chase him. He is repeating the same behavior and expecting a different result.

[Magicman]

I have some pine posts and railing posts in my house that have twisted substantially

I have sawed nothing but hardwood on this project.  I have asked about Pine but was quickly told; hardwood only. 

I hate that I did not keep up with the tally on this project but I do know that one time he had well over 200 tree length logs that made 3-5 each so I easily sawed over 800 during that sawing session.

[Ianab]

2x, dried, planed and nails and glue? But I wouldn't chase him. He is repeating the same behavior and expecting a different result.

That's why most commercial construction uses glue-lam beams and posts. If the wood is dry and machined straight, then glued together, it's going to stay straight. And you can glue up the post and install it next day. Cheap, Good AND Fast, a rare combination. 

[esteadle]

Had a guy stop in today to ask me if I could saw him a couple 6"x6"x8' black ash posts for use inside his home.  He wants to replace ones that were installed previously, that over time had twisted beyond what was acceptable to him.  He thinks they are white ash, but because I have lots of black ash on my property, that is what I offered to cut for him.  

One of his first questions was how long it would take to dry, as he wanted to replace them immediately. He wasn't to keen on the 2-3 years, or longer that I told him it would take to dry as I don't have/or access to a kiln.  I tried to impress upon him, that short of a kiln, I didn't know of a safe way to get them drier quicker. I did try to answer all of his questions to the best of my knowledge, but he was trying to find a shortcut to getting it done as soon as possible.  The only other solution I came up with was to maybe use a store bought 4x4 and wrap it with 1x ash.  My concern with this is that apparently they are load bearing, so I told him it was on him to find out if this would be acceptable as I have no way of knowing.

So my question to the forum is, is there a way for me to help this guy out?

Nope. You gave him good advice. Move on.