Hi, so I’ve a friend who has some ash timber that I can buy, if I want to use it to make body blanks from what do I need to do to ensure it’s ready in terms of being dry enough etc, how would I test this?
He got a planer/thicknesser so we can prep the blank for laminating but not sure if I need to do anything with the wood before hand.
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
not sure if I need to do anything with the wood before hand.
@tej I’m not qualified to answer that question, sorry man. I’ll let @markbailey or another expert on wood answer this one. 👍
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
What state is the timber currently in? Has it just been felled, or its already in plank form, or?
You can get a moisture meter to check whether it’s dried out enough, or, if it’s already been planked, then it needs (IIRC) a year for every inch of thickness to dry out naturally - ie, air dried.
Seal the ends to minimise splitting as it dries.
Take any bark off the edges as soon as - that’s where most of the bugs live.
When you say “laminating” ... what are you intending to do with it?
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If the wood has been air dried then it needs to have been kept for at least 5 years in a dry place with sticks in between the boards to allow all round air circulation. It should be cut to roughly the size you want it for, allowing extra for shrinkage and warping ie you can’t dry a whole tree then cut it up for use.
It can be tested with a moisture metre which is an electronic device with probes which are held into the wood. I don’t have one yet but might be getting one soon as I’m hoping to get some ash planks.
if it’s been kiln dried then it should be good to go.
Some people call me a tool, others are less complimentary. Tools being useful things.
Moisture meters on the web
Some people call me a tool, others are less complimentary. Tools being useful things.
@tv101 @rocknroller912 thanks guys, my answers are mostly “I don’t know” will be visiting in a few weeks so will know what I’m dealing with then.
As for what I’m planning to do with it when I mentioned laminating perhaps I’m using the wrong term for big pieces of wood, joining possibly more apt. I don’t think the wood is wide enough to get a full width blank from so I’m likely to have to make a body blank from two pieces. I’m presuming from what you’ve said that I would ensure the wood is properly dried before making the blank though.
Anything specific I should seal the ends with by the way, presuming some kind of wax?
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Moisture meters
I’ll have a look at some of those, concern from the 5 seconds I looked at them for is that they’re only measuring things from the surface as opposed to through the wood so not sure how it would indicate moisture internally 🤔
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Commercial wood producers have a tub of hot melted wax which they dip the ends of the wood in but really anything to seal it is better than nothing. I’ve even used varnish or paint in the past when I did wood turning and it works ok.
i’m not sure how moisture meters work but I have relative who is a tree surgeon and he assures me that they do.
Some people call me a tool, others are less complimentary. Tools being useful things.
i’m not sure how moisture meters work but I have relative who is a tree surgeon and he assures me that they do.
We have a resident tree surgeon here in the forum and he makes guitars from the woods he saves. @eddie6string 🎸👍
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
I had forgotten about @eddie6string that’s an impressive collection and it looks like he has some painting skills too
Some people call me a tool, others are less complimentary. Tools being useful things.
I had forgotten about @eddie6string that’s an impressive collection and it looks like he has some painting skills too
@rocknroller912 Yes he makes some very nice instruments and the paint doesn’t look too shabby either. Good man Eddie. 👍
If you or anyone else needs to learn about woods and how to dry them etc, just ask @eddie6string 🎸
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
I'm very knowledgeable about things I haven't forgotten! Varies from minute to minute
@eddie6string 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
I'm very knowledgeable about things I haven't forgotten! Varies from minute to minute
@eddie6string Me too actually. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
When it stops losing weight, there's no need to wait!
@eddie6string thanks, finally something that doesn’t cost me more money or equipment to test out 🙂
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Hi Tej
It does cost in time though!
This Sycamore was tight & straight grained - so I was able to thickness it green, albeit 6mm oversize, to allow for warping.
It dries quicker when thinner & beetles find it harder to burrow into a smooth surface.
Hope that helps.