A few months ago Jon found a large walnut limb that had fallen in the Derecho storm this summer. It was a dead limb and was completely dry. Jon was really excited to find wood on the property that was dry and bug-free! In the second picture Jon is scraping off the bark and some rot with a draw knife.
The logs have been laying on the garage floor for months waiting to be cut into boards. The plan is to use some of this walnut wood with the aspen to make a hutch for the dining room.
Jon feeds the log into the bandsaw and I am on the receiving end making sure the log stays flush along the guide. Walnut is a hardwood so together we must feed the log at a slow and steady pace through the blade.
The planer was used to smooth out irregularities caused by the blade and uneven thicknesses.
Paul really enjoys playing in the sawdust!
I have to say, that I'm very jealous. I'd love to mill my own hardwood!
ReplyDeleteDo let us know how the project goes!
Hi! I found you because of researching rug twining and your videos on YouTube were very helpful. Today, almost 2 years later, I find your Blog! Anyway, your hutch came out very nice and as I was looking through posts I saw this. Though it is a couple of years late, I just wanted to share with you to NOT use walnut wood shavings/sawdust in mulch as they will kill other plants. Might work well sprinkled in places you never want plant growth but, seeing how thrifty and resourceful you are I cringed to think you might (as I would have) used the sawdust this way and had it lead to loss. I learned this from a wood working friend who lets me take other sawdust for mulching/composting as needed. He keeps the walnut dust separate! Regards, Rachael
ReplyDeleteDear Rachael,
ReplyDeleteYes, you are totally right that walnut sawdust and shavings are highly toxic to plants. We put the shavings and sawdust in an area where we want to keep the weeds down on a walking path. I experimented putting some of the sawdust around the beehives for mite control but I didn't notice a difference. Besides the walnut shavings, we really enjoy having other sawdust around for use in the barn and garden.
Holly
this is great post.great great great.
ReplyDeleteI very need it.
Thank you for sharing.