.philmypower. Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Taking a decent sized walnut down in the next few weeks. Depending on the quality of the heart wood I'm thinking of milling it into gun stock blanks, possibly 4" diameter, 2ft by 1ft Is there a market for this or am I best planking it for work tops. Just want to do it justice and don't want to end up with a pile of walnut that I can't sell. I know I can shift planks but unsure about stock blanks. What are your thoughts. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 correct me if im wrong but the quality stock wood comes from the root bowl i believe........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted August 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Your right but I've seen milled walnut and think it would be stunning, especially after a good sanding & a polish. If I'm wrong & it's no good I'd rather no and I'll just plank it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 just cut the tree down dig out the root bowl tidy it up...and think about it....before you deciede what to do.....im sure someone will advise you proper.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted August 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Ill have to look into it and get permission to dig, I don't have any machinery so might not be realistic but very tempting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 I would have one Phil, depending on price, I have an H&H which needs anew stock and forend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryle Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 A quality gunstock blank will have been well dried before use. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but this is often for up to 20 or 30 years for the best bits of timber. I believe that blanks can be kiln dried to a certain level but im not 100% sure on how that will alter the value. I'm sure I read that cheaper gun manufacturers use mainly kiln dried wood to keep the cost down a tad. Obviously if there is any decay in your wood its no good But however spalt wood is a desirable feature! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigman Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Does the tree have any burls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted August 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 I would have one Phil, depending on price, I have an H&H which needs anew stock and forend. Ok kes, I'll see how much interest I get and if it's worth doing I'll take the time to cut some up. Thinking about it I wouldn't have to make blanks out of the whole lot. I could just use the main heart wood and plank the rest. Haven't you got enough projects on the go kes lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted August 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 I have access to a kiln but I thought rule of thumb for seasoning was 1 year an inch so a 2" diameter piece would take a year as it would season 1" each side. Does the tree have any burls? Not any obvious ones but I will have to climb it so possibly in the crown, won't know until I'm up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Ok kes, I'll see how much interest I get and if it's worth doing I'll take the time to cut some up. Thinking about it I wouldn't have to make blanks out of the whole lot. I could just use the main heart wood and plank the rest. Haven't you got enough projects on the go kes lol. You are right I have - just finished a watercolour of a friends house and doing research for a novel. No time for shooting at the mo but just as well as I am in need of a new permission. I like doing a bit here and a bit there - gardening can get a bit tiresome ! Anyway, looks like a few years wait to make the stock etc ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Take care Philmypower, I offered some of mine which is around 20 years air dried, lovely colour, offered it as blanks or cut to template. Loads of enquiries and photo requests, nobody off PW bought one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 (edited) Plank it anyway just make the planks thick enough to cut stock blanks from. As it will need seasoning and seasons flat better sticked as you have for the oak you milled. If no good for guns, would make a lovely staircase. Don't they use the root ball for the density of the wood as well as the figuring. Figgy Edited August 11, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Plank it anyway just make the planks thick enough to cut stock blanks from. As it will need seasoning and seasons flat better sticked as you have for the oak you milled. If no good for guns, would make a lovely staircase. Figgy too soft for treads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted August 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Take care Philmypower, I offered some of mine which is around 20 years air dried, lovely colour, offered it as blanks or cut to template. Loads of enquiries and photo requests, nobody off PW bought one. Thanks, think figgy might have the right idea. I'll get it down and on the yard, then I'll just take it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 too soft for treads Still nice for spindles and posts, a fair amount of stair cases are solid wood first step and MDF treads to carpet and keep down the maintenance. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Hi Sounds good it may take a few years to season but 100 years to grow Think to the future and put a bit aside for the next generation Just a bit of boaring info If you plant one by a stable you won't get any flys on or around your horse All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 (edited) Don't forget to harvest the nuts, mmmm pickled green Walnuts or dried matured for Christmas. I have a load of walnut off cuts for the fire I got off the fella who made and fitted my oak staircase, almost heart breaking to just burn but not big enough to do anything with. Smells lovely. This Walnut tree felling must be worthy of one of you Go-Pro videos Figgy Edited August 11, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 In that 'makign a Purdey' youtbe film that was about a while ago, I think I remember that some of their blanks had been in the store for 40 odd years. Cut a few and put them somewhere with a stable temperature for a few years, then flog them to a gunmaker! Nial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxus77 Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Don't forget to harvest the nuts, mmmm pickled green Walnuts or dried matured for Christmas. I have a load of walnut off cuts for the fire I got off the fella who made and fitted my oak staircase, almost heart breaking to just burn but not big enough to do anything with. Smells lovely. This Walnut tree felling must be worthy of one of you Go-Pro videos Figgy are the off cuts no good for pen blanks and knife scales lots of those being sold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 (edited) Have a chat with these guys http://www.ukgunstocks.com/walnut.htm Some interesting photos and video here http://www.ukgunstocks.com/process.htm Edited August 11, 2014 by aris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 are the off cuts no good for pen blanks and knife scales lots of those being sold Maybe but quite plain, no real grain or pattern to the wood, looks like American black walnut. Only the odd piece has any figure. Think the small brash that will be cut down off the tree might be better. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Ah the times I have been offered English walnut and believe me if it was any good for gun work I would have a shed full of blanks .English walnut often has very striking pink and black colourings .Big problem is our climate so the consistency of the wood is varied and it can be and usually is prone to shakes that show up on seasoning . By the by don't believe all the **** about seasoning for 20 years and kiln drying is an art that is not about heating and baking but controlled moisture extraction. The English gun trade have avoided native timber for these reasons . There has been some English Walnut used although most stockers will not be held to account if a customer supplies a piece . You would probably do better selling to the furniture trade as they will take planks ,the rest could will go to wood turners . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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