Todays Project - What did you do today?

[awemawson]

Isn't that moisture content going to give you warping issues Greg ?

[f350ca]

Might, but usually warping is caused by uneven drying where one face gets sun shine and the rest don't, or lumber stacked tight where one face can't breath. Checking is more likely to be an issue on large timbers where the outside dries faster than the center. The fibres on the outside shrink before the center and the wood checks to relive the stress. With any luck these might have lost enough moisture slowly in the shop to stop that. But probably not.

[ScrapMetal]

FWIW - When making self-bows (archery) from raw staves, once the staves are cut to length and split from the "log", we sealed up the ends with shellac or paint to keep the staves from warping and checking while drying/aging.

-Ron

[f350ca]

If I get the motivation I paint the ends of my lumber to stop checking Ron. It makes a big difference in the hot weather when the lumber dries quickly.

[f350ca]

Finished the joinery.


The joints take some time but the cants sure go together quick.



Pinned with 5/8 hardwood dowels.



All assembled, ready to stand up tomorrow.

[f350ca]

Great to have friends with big toys. They dropped the shovel off the other day to do this.

[Vinny]

Life made easier

[Dr Stan]

When I lived in Oklahoma I heard about a technique to frame houses/barns, etc with local green oak. Seems there is a way to compensate for movement as the wood dries. Was told it needed to be used in its green state as it's way too hard to drive a nail into it after its dried. On the other hand it could be just another "cowboy story".

BTW, I'm envious of your supply of lumber. Been spending way too much money at the local big box stores.

[f350ca]

Probably some truth in it Stan. I've only framed with softwood. It would be quite a task chiselling out a large mortise in a dry piece of oak. Not to mention the fact that it would take years for a large timber to dry.
I still buy dimensional lumber. Just bought the 2 x 8s for the rafters. For the money it would be a lot of work cutting the trees, if I had them, dragging them out of the bush, hauling them home, then sawing.

Greg

[f350ca]

Made a bed for my dog.