Got Wood???

[smokey0810]

As a UPS driver, I am on the road quite a lot. The week before last, I kept seeing this log on the side of the road. Last week, I stopped to pick it up. 2 foot long, probably 5" in diameter. This is what part of it became.
Here it is, cut in half.

Here are some of the wood planks I cut from it.


Probably one of the coolest things I have done in a very long time. They're now all stacked on top of each other with spacers in between, drying out in the garage.

 

[kwoswalt99]

What's it going to become, and what type of wood is it?

 

[johnoutdoors]

Hello from a fellow UPS man from NJ.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It may not be a problem with planks that short, but generally people coat the end grain with something (cheap paint will work) to help minimize splits or checks as the wood dries.

 

[mbatarga]

Looks like poplar.

 

[DBendr]

Black Walnut it looks like. I see some pistol grips in there

 

[Kaizen]

guessing poplar as well. that dark section will separate unfortunately as it dries. I'm with you though brother. I have dreams of a sawmill. I bought a barn ....well the beams....awhile back. used what I needed and tried to resaw the rest on my Alaskan chainsaw thingy. some came out great. 300 year old pine. but man taking out every single nail and metal piece made it not really worth it.

 

[smokey0810]

Unfortunately, I am not sure what it is. I just know I had a fun time trying to figure out how to cut it down on my Shopsmith bandsaw. My Dad gave me his Mark V a few years back, and now I've got the bug for woodworking. This was just so cool to do, especially since good wood is hard to find at Lowes and HD. Wish we had a woodcraft here...

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, wood from HD might be acceptable, but I would hesitate to call it Good Wood for cabinet or furniture making.

 

[Steevo]

Nice piece of wood.
I bet you are glad that the guy who cut and hauled it didn't lose it on the road when you were driving behind him.

I have had that happen once when I was on a motorcycle and very nearly ended up off a steep embankment trying to dodge the bouncing, sliding, spinning logs.

 

[Cyberbear]

Another good wood sealer is 50/50 mix of water and white glue (PVA) brushed on and let dry. I avoid wood sealed with commercial green wood sealer (Anchorseal) as it's too waxey to have in my shop and can cause contamination ti my finishing system, plus it contaminates my machine surfaces and requires clean up. I've cut lots of free wood over the tears and enjoy harvesting my own lumber at affordable prices. Walnut and olive are favorites.