sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)

Subject: sycamore trunk available
From: sapper82
Date: 09 May 08 - 05:18 PM

About 8' by 15 or 18" dia. fairly straight.
Near Matlock in Derbyshire.
Anyone interested?

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 May 08 - 07:41 PM

When it said Trunk , I thought 'Wooden Box With Lid' , NOT the Un Processed version !

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 May 08 - 07:57 PM

Tip from Julian Goodacre the bagpipe maker: it will only be useful if you quarter-saw it and paint the ends with gloss paint. This makes it dry more evenly and prevents splits from forming.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 09 May 08 - 11:31 PM

And, when sawn into planks, dry it stood on end, not horizontally with sticks between the planks as most woods. Sycamore will become grey and discoloured if dried in contact with other woods.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 May 08 - 04:41 AM

Not wanting to put a damper on this, but when our big sycamore was felled in the driveway everyone said that the wood wouldn't be useful to anyone for carving or cabinet-making. Seeing this it appears that planking is an option, maybe I'd heard wrongly?

BTW Colyn, did you notice we've got 4 full trunk slices (4ft across) drying in the driveway, leaning up against a big Yew. They're separated by blocks but still the centres are showing signs of splitting. We're thinking of making them into outdoor 'rustic' tables, hopefully before our next party!

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: mandotim
Date: 10 May 08 - 11:08 AM

Sycamore isn't native to the UK, and is similar to maple in its properties for working, i.e hard, with a split-resistant grain. It accepts stain well and evenly, and displays a nice 'flame' figure if cut properly. (I'm not sure, but isn't it part of the maple family?) I've used quartersawn sycamore successfully for mandolin backs/sides and necks, and it's very good for banjo necks too (according to a pal who makes them). Nice timber.
Tim

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Bill D
Date: 10 May 08 - 11:19 AM

When referring to certain trees, it is important to be specific. Sycamore is an easily misunderstood name, as different trees are called that in different areas and on different continents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sycamore

The common names of trees are widely misused.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: gnu
Date: 10 May 08 - 11:22 AM

Gee... that would make a LOT of tippers.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 10 May 08 - 11:26 AM

My Guru - If you had treated the slices with PEG (polyethylene glycol) when first cut then no splitting would occur & they would be perfect for tables!
This is the preservation technique used when the 'Mary Rose' was raised.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Bill D
Date: 10 May 08 - 01:23 PM

But PEG is more a way to totally replace all wood fiber with other molecules...it requires soaking in large vats for long periods.

The stuff used for coating end grain wood is something like Anchorseal

(I use a couple gallons a year to preserve cut logs before woodturning)

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 10 May 08 - 01:39 PM

Bill D - PEG does not replace the wood fibre (the fibre IS the 'wood').
It replaces the water in the cells & prevents the cells shrinking when drying thereby preventing cracking.
Needs soaking for about 3 weeks.
Coating end grain slows down moisture loss but will take at least one year per inch thickness to season.
The 'slices' would still split using end grain sealing because the heartwood would split from the sapwood due to different densities drying at different rates.
BTW - if you use PEG to prepare wood for turning, the resultant timber cuts VERY smoothly. (but finishing methods are restricted due to 'waxy'residue)

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Bill D
Date: 10 May 08 - 04:16 PM

Sorry...I did mis-remember the exact way PEG worked. It's been years since I read about it. I did go to some old newsgroup archives and sample some of the many comments, and found this to be the basic opinion.

"It's a solid white material, somewhat like a wax. It replaces the water molelules in the wood and prevents moisture exchange with the air. You must keep the PEG warm or it will become a solid again. It was originally developed for woodworking to treat gun stocks. It works but it is a long tedious process
and most people find it is unnecessary. By using good techniques - even
wall thickness when the vessels are first rough turned, allowing about ten
per cent of overall diameter to determine wall thickness, and slow drying
with one side coated with log sealer or latex wax - PEG isn't a
particularly good or useful material for the average vessel. And you can
really use only oil finishes since PEG is a wax material"


It surely does have its uses, but is pretty cumbersome and slow...and limited...for the average woodworker.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 10 May 08 - 07:33 PM

Bill D - Sorry for the delay in answering but I have been out gigging!

Use of PEG like anything depends on your needs.
In this case I was advising on 'slices' thru a tree trunk.
Use of PEG would prevent cracking & also retain the bark (if required) & is ideal for this use.
'really use only oil finishes since PEG is a wax material' is nonsense as there are many modern finishes which are compatible.
Rustins Plastic Finish is ideal & again is perfect for a table.
To describe the process as 'tedious & slow' is to misrepresent as to season (stabilise) wood can take years as stated above. PEG takes days!

Also for your information, 25yrs ago I treated freshly cut cherry logs with PEG. From the logs I made goblets & fruit bowls & they have not 'moved'. The treatment took about 10days & was done to prevent any danger of checking which is a possibility when turning green wood & then drying.

Like any other 'tool' it has limitations but I suggest if you have not tried it then give it a go. You will find it useful.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 May 08 - 08:11 PM

This seems very wasteful. The mass of PEG would be comparable to that of the timber. Why not just wait a few years?

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 10 May 08 - 09:39 PM

Just curious: does anyone want the tree trunk?

(I think I would be if I had the relevant crafts and would assume that if I did, I'd know how to handle it)

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 11 May 08 - 11:11 AM

My partner probably would love to have it, but we live on the south coast of Ireland :-(
Pity. I love the idea of Sapper's tree metamorphosing into harps ("In life I was silent - in death I sing").

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Tig
Date: 11 May 08 - 03:31 PM

I'm pming you about this Sapper.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: GUEST,wayneclampet
Date: 12 May 08 - 05:56 AM

hello.
the only way you can tell the difference in maple to sycamore is through a microscope.
they are much the same, although american maple has a slight pink quality about it.
if the log is exposed to the weather it has already started to discolour!! quater saw asap. then stand the wedges on the ends in a dry place, the same day of cutting. can de outdoors.but must be undercover.
glue up the top end but NOT the bottom..this allows the wedges to drain.
if cut spot on the 1/4 you will get mudullery ray as figure.
the smaller bits then need to be kiln dried..that is another story!!
the more figure the log has the more i am interested
i live in east sussex though.
if you do came accross a "flamed" log, cut and processed correctly it can be worth a lot of £££££££££.
hope this has been of some help....good luck!!!

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 12 May 08 - 06:30 AM

A note of trivia.

For the westward American pioneers the sycamore was an indicator for a source of water, either a spring or water near enough the surface to easily dig a well. In the dry western areas take note where they are found in arroyos.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: theleveller
Date: 12 May 08 - 07:21 AM

Sycamore is fantastic for chopping boards as it will not impart a taste to the food. It used to be used for draining boards in the old days as it was impervious to water.

When I felled a sycamore in my garden I chopped it into logs seasoned it for a year and it burned beautifully in my stove. Just felled a smaller one and I'll do the same with that (helps beat the fuel price increases).

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: theleveller
Date: 12 May 08 - 07:23 AM

I know some instrument makers are using sycamore (which is a relative of maple) as an eco-friendly tonewood.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Paul Burke
Date: 12 May 08 - 01:06 PM

Sapper- Jenny Biggins on Church Street does woodturning (or at least used to do)... maybe she'd like it.

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Old Grizzly
Date: 12 May 08 - 05:34 PM

Quarter sawn sycamore (or 'maple') was used for the reed pans in most vintage concertinas.

PEG is also used as a laxative called Movicol - I know as I have to take it. My insides may not be quite as old as the Mary Rose, but are beautifully preserved - all except the pancreas which is rotten to the core :o((

Dave

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: Tig
Date: 20 May 08 - 07:49 AM

So did you find a home for this excellently sized log Sapper or is it still looking?

My offer still stands.

Hugs
xxx

Subject: RE: sycamore trunk available (tree trunk)
From: sapper82
Date: 20 May 08 - 09:41 AM

Tig, have responded to the PM. Give me a ring.